Why the blazer is an essential part of every woman’s wardrobe, and the Italian brand that updated it
- Famously worn by Karlie Kloss and Marlene Dietrich, a tailored blazer is a must-have in every woman’s wardrobe
- Blazer specialist Blazé Milano was started by three Italian women working at Italian Elle who bonded over their love of fashion and sports
Tailored blazers for women have been a trend since the 1920s and ’30s thanks to style icons like Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich. It wasn’t until Bianca Jagger stepped out in her now iconic white Yves Saint Laurent Le Smoking suit at her wedding to Mick Jagger, however, that this menswear staple became a must-have for women everywhere.
Now its enduring legacy is being given a refresh at Blazé Milano, a specialist brand that has built a thriving business around this single item of clothing.
“Working in the industry we saw everything from couture to the craziest clothes yet we all still felt and looked the best in a blazer. Fashion offers so much, but for us it’s about looking cool, understated and effortless in a nonchalant way. Only a blazer can do this,” says Corrada Rodriguez d’Acri, one of the brand’s co-founders.
Launched in 2013, Blazé Milano is the brainchild of three stylish Italian women – d’Acri, Delfina Pinardi and Sole Torlonia. All three met while working at Italian Elle and bonded over their shared love of sports and fashion.
A well-tailored blazer was already a part of their daily uniform, but they noticed a lack of styles that were cut specifically to suit a woman’s body.