Laudomia Pucci is sitting tucked away in a corner of Hong Kong's Four Seasons cafe.
The blonde-wood, glass-walled decor of the venue, while functional and flooded with bright, natural light - is hardly conducive to a relaxing chat about that most ethereal of creative enterprises; fashion.
Pucci's stylish provenance sees her dressed elegantly in a chic fitted jacket, chin-length dark hair swept back from her face. And despite the businesslike environment, her soft, accented English draws the listener into her delightfully arcane narrative, which spans generations and includes events from a historic Italy - worlds away from a downtown hotel in Hong Kong's commercial centre.
Here to visit the company's retail operation, she takes some time out to explain Pucci's background and how the Italian fashion force staged its latest renaissance.
In the 1950s and '60s, the iconic label of Emilio Pucci (Laudomia's father) clothed some of the most glamorous bodies of Hollywood's golden era. A post-war proponent of colourful optimism and la dolce vita, he was considered fashion royalty. Marilyn Monroe, one of his most loyal fans, was reputedly buried in one of his dresses.
Today, Pucci - with LVMH backing (the company is now 67 per cent owned by the French luxury behemoth) and under the design direction of Norwegian-born Peter Dundas - is witnessing a second Hollywood revival with a 21st century 'it' crowd discovering the label. Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Richie and Gwyneth Paltrow are all fans and have been seen at high profile events wearing its colourful, distinctive designs.