For Vladimiro Gioia, inspiration comes from the Land of the Rising Sun—Japan. Exploring the duality of sensitivity and strength within the female samurai, Gioia’s collection aims to balance the wise and noble with grace and harmony.

Feminine blouses and dresses show off this duality: they mix texture and patterns, sheen with sheer, black with color. Topped off with hand-stitched details around the torso to form the outline of a samurai’s armor, the juxtaposition of concepts sit side by side in each piece.

There is something so alluring, yet so badass about this collection.

The prints themselves are reminiscent of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, a time when Japanese unification was still underway, and utilize the symbols of beauty and war, the sakura and the samurai. In a nod to the traditional pagoda screens, Gioia also includes peacock and heron prints.

A vision of a fighter, Vladimiro Gioia’s woman is one of strength, courage, and unwavering values. But for the S/S 2018 collection, we peek into her inner woman.

Check out our favorites below.

Photos: Vladimiro Gioia