There are memories kept in photographs, others stored in letters, and some endure forever in small objects that accompany us throughout life. Andrea Andriano found a different way to preserve hers: turning them into silk scarves.
In her prints, the flowers from her mother’s garden, the books that marked her childhood, the journeys that captured her heart, and the connections that give meaning to her story all live. Each design has a name, an inspiration, and an emotion that makes it unique. Because for her fashion has never been merely about garments and trends: it is, above all, a form of expression.
Her journey began when she was barely 20, driven by curiosity about fabrics, textures, and the endless possibilities of creation. She built a substantial career in haute couture. For 35 years she ran her own workshop and studio, until that chapter came to an end. Yet, far from abandoning her calling, she chose to reinvent herself.
Thus, her scarves and fans emerged—pieces where craft, artistic sensibility, and a deep connection to her own history come together.
“Dressing is about creating, communicating, finding a unique way to express who we are”, reflects Andrea, convinced that accessories can also speak of our identity, our feelings, and the way we view the world.
In the 2026 edition of Puro Diseño Fair, her creations found a space to reach new eyes. And behind each one, a woman who continues to feel his heart race when faced with a blank page, imagining colors, discovering possibilities, and finding new reasons to create.
Andrea Andriano: From Haute Couture to the Silk Scarf Universe
-You come from the world of haute couture, where every detail matters greatly. How did your beginnings in fashion unfold, and what led you to transition from dress design to the realm of accessories?
—I began at the age of 20, while studying design with master Ángel Lagarrigue, making shirts. On a street in Alsina I discovered fibrana, which opened the door to a vast creative universe.
My entrance into haute couture happened by chance. A friend of my mother’s daughter asked me to design her wedding dress and later asked why I wouldn’t make it myself. I found a seamstress and we did it together.
Following that experience, I started studying haute couture at the Argentine Chamber of Fashion along with Lita Calviño and formed my own workshop and studio.
Unfortunately, after 35 years I had to close them, but my interest in the art of dressing didn’t fade. And since I always valued the importance of an accessory, I began to design them cautiously.
-There is a phrase that defines your approach: “Each scarf tells a story; each scarf has a reason.” What does this mean to you, and how does the story you envision become a design?
—It represents my own life. That is why there’s a scarf inspired by the book that introduced me to reading, Alice, and by my mother’s garden—the space she built for the whole family to enjoy, which gave birth to The Garden of Elsa.
-Where does the inspiration for your prints come from? Are memories, travels, women, or moments from your own life the protagonists of your scarves?
—Inspiration can flow from a bond, as with the scarf Ellos, dedicated to my children, or Julia, Sofi, and Fran, inspired by my nieces and nephews.
It can also arise from a woman, such as Alfonsina; from a trip, like Misiones, the province I visited most in my life; or from a dream, such as Te Conoceré, which expresses my longing to visit Greece.
The Value of Details and the Haute Couture Heritage
-A silk scarf is far more than an accessory: it can completely transform a look and, often, become a piece passed down through generations. What makes this object special for you?
—When I worked in haute couture, I realized how a foulard or shawl could perfectly complete a look. I often made them myself and enhanced them with embroidered details, tassels, and galloons.
At times, clients brought accessories that had belonged to their mothers, aunts, or friends. That’s what inspired me to bring them into a more casual realm.
-What did you learn from haute couture that remains present in your current creations? How important are choosing materials, colors, and finishes?
—I learned to value selecting the right fabric, to strive for the best possible finish, and to care for presentation. In short, to create a piece with prestige.
-In addition to scarves, you design fans—an accessory with a rich history that’s once again capturing fashion interest. How did the idea of adding them to your collection come about, and what do you find appealing about them?
—I have always been drawn to them. My mother had a friend who was a hairdresser for the Line C of cruises and she would bring back fans from all over the world.
I would observe them and be amazed by the drawings, the wood carvings, and the intricate details. So I thought: why not? And I took the leap.
A Fashion That Goes Beyond Trends and Connects with Emotions
-In an era when fashion shifts constantly, choosing accessories that aren’t tied to the season feels almost like a principle. Do you believe in a more timeless style, where pieces are chosen for what they represent rather than for fleeting trends?
—Definitely. Not just a timeless fashion, but a more meaningful one for the person who wears it. When someone uses a garment that feels like a second skin, they act and express themselves in a different way.
-This was another edition of Feria Puro Diseño, a space that brings together creators from all over the country. What did participating mean to you, and how was the encounter with the audience who discovered your designs?
—It was deeply meaningful. It’s the dream of every designer to participate in such a wonderful showcase. The meeting surpassed my expectations. I am profoundly grateful.
-If you had to choose a single scarf from your entire collection that holds especially personal meaning, which would it be, and what story does it conceal?
—The scarf Ellos, dedicated to my children. It contains all that I feel for them: love, pride, family, among many other sentiments.
-After so many years tied to design and fashion, what still excites you about the creative process? What do you dream for this new stage of your brand?
—What excites me is turning a blank sheet into a sketch and from there into the final idea. I love the creative process; that is where I discover myself.
I dream of continuing, incorporating new designs, more stories, more reasons why.
How to Wear Silk Scarves: Andrea Andriano’s Tips
– The scarf has once again become one of street style’s favorite accessories: worn around the neck, on the head, at the waist, and even as a top. What is your preferred way to wear it, and what advice would you give to a woman who wants to incorporate it into her looks?
—My preferred way is around the neck, using different knots and links with pearls and chains.
My suggestion would be to start gradually, beginning with a scarf in colors she loves. And then, progressively, try more.
-What would you say to a woman who still keeps a silk scarf in a drawer because she doesn’t know how to wear it? Why do you believe it’s worth reclaiming this accessory?
—I would tell her to take it out, lay it over a light garment, and start experimenting.
Let her discover the power of details, the play of textures and accessories that transform an outfit and reveal facets of our personality.
“The Art of Dressing Lies in the Freedom to Create”
For Andrea Andriano, fashion is also a space for memories, research, and discoveries. Her fascination with the history of dressing, materials, and their creators fuels a perspective that extends far beyond trends.
“Dressing is about creating, communicating, finding a unique way to express who we are. I understand dressing as an art, a silent language that speaks of our identity and our emotions. It is our way of looking at the world,” she explains.
And she continues: “I’m inspired by how a color, a texture, or a scarf can transform an image and turn the everyday into something special. The art of dressing lies in the freedom to create. In daring to mix and in discovering the power of details.”
That philosophy runs through every one of her pieces. Her scarves are not merely about aesthetics: they are a way to honor the people she loves, to preserve moments from her life, and to give new form to her memories.
“Through my scarves, I aim to bring color, personality, and emotion, inviting each woman to make her own way of dressing an authentic expression of herself,” she sums up.
Perhaps there lies the deepest essence of her creations: in showing that an accessory can be more than a fashion detail. It can become memory, identity, and a small story we choose to carry with us.
