Why it belongs in ORBIS
Florence-founded contemporary womenswear label (est. 1993) with two of its own boutiques in the city — Piazza San Giovanni and Via degli Strozzi 13 — known for tailored, body-conscious cuts and its Fly bag.
Patrizia Pepe was founded in Florence in 1993, combining the creative direction of designer Patrizia Bambi with the business side led by Claudio Orrea, growing out of the family textile manufacturer Tessilform. The label built its identity on sharply tailored, body-conscious womenswear alongside accessories, with the Fly bag becoming one of its recognizable products. Florence remains home to two of the brand's own stores: a historic shop on Piazza San Giovanni, in the shadow of the Duomo, and a boutique at Via degli Strozzi 13. The Strozzi store was relaunched in September 2019 under a new concept called 'Glam Rhapsody,' featuring a club-influenced interior with mixed materials. Since its 1990s founding, Patrizia Pepe has expanded into international wholesale and e-commerce, but its two Florence addresses remain tied directly to the label's origin story and hometown identity.