And for the 1000th time, I stand there, perplexed, debating how to answer:
‘So, where are you from?’ It’s such a simple question, and often seen as common courtesy, but it leaves many of us, who don’t identify with one place/culture, at a crossroads. Am I from where I was born? Because I barely remember it… or am I from that place I lived in for two years? What about the other places? How about where my parents are from? But I didn’t really grow up there either… so, where do I begin?
This is exactly what Salvatore Nigordi set out to address with his latest Never Enough collection. A line for the ‘citizens of the world’ – my go-to term I often resort to when describing myself. Incorporating mostly cashmeres and cottons, his winter collection maintains a focus on natural materials for his luxury design brand. But there is still something for everyone… when asked about the target audience, Nigordi estimated those “between 30 and 60” but “really, it can be for everyone”; I myself can confirm, after trying on one of the long, soft white coats with a high neckline and padded interior.
The collection aims to bring together like-minded people: “It’s more so the mentality […] these kinds of people belong everywhere.” He explains his term “citizens of the world” as “people that live in Paris can live in Hong Kong, in Milan, but you can find them in LA or London, too […] it’s not about nationality, it’s about the kind of people, it’s different.” Nigordi seems to be using fashion to breakdown the stereotypes: the idea that you are defined by one place, by one nationality, and if you don’t fit into one box, then you belong nowhere. Instead, Never Enough’s winter collection says, if this is you, you belong everywhere. If you are open to diversity, change, new stories and travel, you can find community in these clothes. If you have never really felt like you were from one place, never knew how to answer the question ‘where are you from?’… if you always felt like you belonged to nowhere and everywhere at the same time: a ‘citizen of the world.’
This collection encourages individuality too. Nigordi himself emphasises his love for the corduroy pieces, and the range of materials, textures and shades of the quiet luxury brand allow you to mix and match the pieces to emulate completely different looks. “People are like animals in many ways,” Nigordi says, “but animals can’t change their skin like humans can through fashion. Today you might want to be a panther, tomorrow you might want to be a leopard. This is our power.” The variety of shapes, colours and fabrics in the line lets you play around to convey different looks depending on how you feel; for days you want to be more sophisticated and for others when you want to be bolder. There is endless opportunity to portray your personality through clothes that, ultimately, ties together a celebration of diversity and community which is the precipice of Salvatore Nigordi’s message.
It’s a quiet luxury that speaks a thousand words. Someone who is wearing the collection belongs to a collective of people who don’t know where they fit in, but, really, don’t have to fit in. This is because they find each other all over the world, and Nigordi hopes that, through his clothes, he can help them achieve this. Ultimately, Never Enough’s collection is a luxury fashion brand, but it’s also a community, a shared experience, and a lifestyle. In a time of globalisation, increased travel and celebration of diversity, are we starting to see the dawn of a new era… one day, will we all just be ‘citizens of the world’?
