At Vogue's Iconic London HQ, Replica Handbag Store Club’s Meet the Founder Series Returned With Marco Capaldo of 16Arlington

On a Thursday evening in London, British Vogue HQ opened its door to welcome Replica Handbag Store Club's intimate summer installment of Meet The Founder with Marco Capaldo of 16Arlington. Last month, Capaldo was announced as the winner of this year's prestigious BFC/Replica Handbag Store Designer Fashion Fund; and now, even more so, 16Arlington has an ever-growing list of celebrity muses eager to become friends of the label. Best known for chic maximalist sheer, feathered, bejeweled, and sequin-encrusted designs, the unmistakable cool-girl aesthetic of the 16Arlington was created by Capaldo and his late partner in life and business, co-founder Federica (Kikka) Cavenati.

Without question, the fashion label has successfully established itself as a mainstay on the London Fashion Week schedule for the past three consecutive seasons. On the topic of the atmosphere leading up to the showing of each collectsion. “You invite people into your world for a 15-minute show, which seems mad because you spend six months building this collectsion, building an idea and vision, and then it's done. Its quite a pivotal moment for a brand,” shared Capaldo.

Attendees arrived at Vogue House for the intimate gathering, enjoying a closer look at the cult London label's custom and ready-to-wear pieces displayed in the magazine's iconic boardroom. Overheard amongst the fête, on-lookers oohed and aahed at each look hanging on the display rack. Before the evening's conversation began, attendees sipped on a spritz fit and passed canapés prepared by Spook amidst sculptural white florals designed by Blooming Haus.

British Vogue's own Julia Hobbs led the lively discussion that covered everything from starting the brand, building one's own community of support networks, pivotal moments of triumph, and creating show-stopping custom looks for the likes of Jorja Smith. In the crowd, Vogue editors and the designer's mother, Sina, gleefully watched on.

“For me, it’s about embracing moments and remembering that everyone's human. It's funny because [for an industry] that can be considered so out there, so flamboyant, and at times fashion can be borderline superficial, you can still find your people,” Capaldo shared with the audience. “One of the biggest successes of the brand has been building this community. People are so willing and inspired by other creatives, and you can all create something really beautiful together if you just collaborate.