Armando Calò (Italian, early 1970s – late 1990s)
Armando Calò is a boutique Italian designer brand, primarily active and recognized during the 1980s and 1990s. Often associated with Florence, the label is characterized by a "boho-chic" and "retro-chic" aesthetic that blends traditional Italian craftsmanship with bold, artistic patterns. The brand is known for vibrant floral prints, geometric motifs, and intricate details like hand-printing and glass-bead embroidery. Early works often appeared under labels like "Armando's" or "Nemil by Armando Calò", known for 70s-style. In the 1980s and 90s, the company expanded into knitwear and jersey fashion, which became its most commercially successful period. This line "Armando Calò Tricot" was characterized by hand-printed fabrics, beaded embroidery, and "boho-chic" silhouettes. By the 1990s the brand was established enough to participate in international fashion trade shows like Moda Made in Italy, which helped Italian designers enter New York and Las Vegas markets. The brand ceased active production in the late 1990s.