Casa de Alessa is one of those exceptionally well-rounded artistic forces. Designer Alessandra Migani’s experience in graphics, product design and visual communication makes for a playful approach that communicates personal themes, curiosities and desires.

Migani’s conceptual first show in 2004 was dedicated to the Housewives Syndicate, with looks modelled after any sort of kitchen tools and cleaning supplies. Migani owes her career to a simple intuition: save underwear from anonymity and convey the most unpredictable messages with matching packaging such as pizza boxes and soap wrappings. Casa de Alessa, the atelier and store she opened on the ground floor of her house in Rio, is a happy mix of all her creative world, where clothes play with underwear, accessories meet bags and all sorts of curios are scattered around in a laid back atmosphere.

Ironic and sharp, always surprising, for next summer MIgani has created a prêt à porter. A “fashion tasting” as she defines it, the collection offers “wearable art” that explores the aesthetics of food with a focus on printing: china dishes and crystal glasses from the most refined traditions are printed on silk and organza dresses or covered with thin perspex elements giving the sparkle and glow of crystal. This refined handcrafted work exceeds expected results while also having the added value of social inclusion, as many of her dressmakers are talented women from Rio de Janeiro’s favelas. And for her latest success, check out Alessa for Colette on sale in Paris.

—Daniela Liconti