LR Friends
Simple Pleasures with Alessandra Brunialti
This summer, we spent a sunny afternoon in the East Hampton home of Alessandra Brunialti, an Italian-born textile designer who has imbued her line of luxe, hand-dyed staples with her passion for simplicity. Here, she shares her philosophies on style, family, and her East Hampton favorites, photographed with her mother, Traute, and daughter, Carmen.
On Her Philosophy
“My line Marea Clothing is inspired by the Italian saying ‘il dolce far niente,’ which translates to ‘the sweetness of doing nothing.’ I was born in Rome, and I’m most inspired by how Italians can find joy in the simplest things. My clothing is an expression of that simplicity, with hand-dyed, minimalist cashmere and silk staples pieces that spark joy.”
On Inspiration
“I’m super inspired by color — it’s where I start my design process. I draw inspiration from nature and architecture on the East End, whether it’s the Hither Hills, a collage of contrasting sand dunes, green grasses and bright blue sea water, or the weathered beachy vibe of East Hampton.”
On Family Ties
“My mom is an extremely talented textile artist. She had her own studio, selling original designs, and now decorates silk with beautiful flower paintings. She has a wealth of knowledge, loves to experiment with new ideas, and is at her happiest when she’s creating. It’s been such a fun journey to learn from her vast experience.
“My daughter also has a great sense of style — she really pushes me to notice trends, and she’s an avid thrifter. We love going to L.A. to find gems at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.”
On Effortlessness
“There’s an authenticity that shines in effortlessness. I love mixing luxe pieces with casual staples, and living in beach towns out East and in Italy has definitely inspired me in that respect. I love the ritual of shopping for unique printed dresses and wraps as souvenirs from summer stays, pieces made to dress up or down.”
On Summer Staples
“I’ve always loved Loeffler Randall’s accessories, and I’m obsessed with the new Ready-to-Wear collection. The clothes are feminine, but are also completely cool and versatile. The August Dress is a perfect example — I’d style it as a beach cover up, or dress it up with the Theo sandal for dinner with friends. I also love the Silas blouse and Octavia skirt. The open stitchwork is so stunning and fresh, and the set pairs back to the Sonnie slide for a great do-anything outfit.”
On East End Favorites
“For shopping, my daughter and I love thrifting at the Ladies Village Improvement Society in East Hampton — they have such amazing finds. I also love Shop Sunshine in Amagansett, which has a cool, bohemian vibe, and they carry Marea Clothing!
“For food, I love Carissa’s for all their yummy pastries and exquisite interior design, and S&S Corner Shop, a coffee spot in The Springs, is so well-curated and stocks beautiful home goods.
“Most of all, I love long, lazy beach days and bonfires at Egypt Beach with family and friends.”
