Tortelli, tigelle and fashion shopping in the heart of a medieval Emilian village

An ancient village, a fortress with literary echoes: in Scandiano, a few kilometres from Reggio Emilia, is Arsenal Donna, the boutique opened by Marina Campani with the enthusiasm and lightness of youth. "The idea came from my mother, she told me: 'There's a nice shop in the centre, take it over with your brother'. It was 1985, I was twenty years old, my brother one more, and I accepted without thinking too much about it,' he recounts today. It was always her mother, who worked in a fabric shop, who made her love clothes: 'She used to sew them for me as a child, while my grandmother taught me to knit. I also learnt to sew by machine to tighten the bottom of the legendary Levi's 501,' she recalls.

Rimandi grafici tra moda e design.

Fast forward: 'Today we have three shops. I run Arsenal Woman, my brother Arsenal Man, my husband Spazio Shoreditch'. The selection focuses on clothes that 'must first and foremost excite me, represent myself and a timeless aesthetic. I don't chase after big brands, I come up with my own ideas based on the personality and ideas that my customers give me. That's why I like to create a direct relationship with them, to advise them carefully to make the most of them. It's like painting a beautiful picture. One brand I find particularly interesting is Phisique du Role, born in the knitwear district of Carpi, but I could mention many others: the precious fabrics of Ibrigu, Gallamini, Pierre-Louis Mascia...'. While in his wardrobe there are essential pieces that he would never give up: 'An army green safari jacket by Ralph Lauren, white jeans even in winter, a blue striped shirt and a blue cashmere jumper'.

La vetrina con due impermeabili Max Mara e sullo sfondo la Rocca dei Boiardo.

For spring, Campani suggests "a Barbour, or in any case a heritage and British style outerwear (from 450 to 590 euros) to match with a boat shoe or a classic moccasin, Sebago or Timberland (from 200 to 260 euros). For the more fashion-conscious, an oversized leather or suede jacket with a masculine cut, like the ones from Sportmax or Casa 23, which is our brand and bears the name of my birthday in its name: we offer made-to-measure pieces with deadstock fabrics, in limited editions (from 239 to 390 euros). I like the wide-shouldered, belted eighties suits from Soeur or Tela9 (€400 to €800), worn with fringed and lace tops for a touch of femininity, as well as oversized minidress-type shirts, or a total denim look like the one from Haikure (shirts from €130 to €220; jeans from €180 to €280). For weddings and summer parties, there are the long silk dresses by forte_forte (400 to 600 euros) and the light kimono jackets (Ibrigu, 1,500 to 1,800 euros) that go well with flat shoes or half heels". There is a wide choice of accessories: "Flowing, soft bags like those by Somewhere in London, Italian despite the name (from 270 to 380 euros), or Mariana Mendez (800 euros). And then Chiara Voliani's sculpture-jewellery: necklaces, bracelets, rings in luminous silver. Important, decisive pieces that stand out but are light to wear. I add them to minimal and essential looks. More jewellery: I like those with embroidery by Barbara Brignone, who in Milan has recovered the ancient hand-worked technique of chiacchierino, traditionally used for lace. They also called it frivolité, and it was very popular in the late 18th century, especially at the court of Queen Marie Antoinette. With needle and thread, Barbara creates chains with micro-beads that weave the design of the jewellery (earrings from 130 euro and bracelets from 150)'.

Collana realizzata con la tecnica del chiacchierino, Barbara Brignone (280 €).

On our way out, we ask her advice for Scandiano. 'The trattorias! Gnocco fritto and tigelle, tortelli verdi, cappelletti in brodo, parmigiano reggiano, with a glass of Lambrusco or Spergola, our white wine. You can eat well everywhere. I suggest a visit to the medieval Rocca dei Boiardo, which is right in front of the boutique: the poet Matteo Maria Boiardo was born and lived here and wrote the Orlando Innamorato in the 15th century. Don't miss the cake that bears his surname: secret recipe with walnuts and chocolate'.