Ilio Nema’s New Season Staples Are Made To Be Treasured

Fashion is a fast-moving industry. The constant craving for the next shiny new thing means some brands release 250 products per collection – up to six times a year.

It’s a pace Ariane Leodaridi and Katia Kelso know well from their time working at a luxury fashion house in New York. “The most beautiful part of what we were doing was all the artisanal work,” says Leodaridi. “But products would be in the store for just six weeks before going on sale.”

Ilio Nema is the duo’s project to counteract that approach, which sees them releasing less than half the number of pieces they once did. “Our motivation [behind the brand] was to slow down production – and create products that feel unique and heirloom-like,” says Leodaridi. “Something you’d find at your grandma’s and then pass down [to the next generation]”.

If slow fashion is the first thing you need to know about Ilio Nema, the label’s focus on meticulous craftsmanship is a close second.

Travelling led Leodaridi and Kelso to meet the local artisans behind Ilio Nema’s exquisite designs. Based in India and Peru, these teams weave, crochet and dye each garment by hand – as well as complete finishing touches like tassels and gold beading. “You can really feel the hand of the artisan that made the product,” says Leodaridi. “It feels quite emotional.”

Some pieces take three to five days to weave – like this pink broken-stripe caftan, crafted using traditional techniques with a wooden loom and handspun yarn. “It’s like a tapestry,” she says. “A real one-of-a-kind.”

Caftans are a signature of Ilio Nema’s considered resortwear (of which the latest collection has plenty). For Leodaridi, one navy, bright blue and red style stands out. “It’s understated but sexy. I like it as an après-swim [piece], it’s so chic with a Greek sandal.”

Kelso’s favourite is not a caftan, but a hand-woven coat made from a striped cotton boucle. “It’s like a big blanket,” she says. “Light, soft and cosy – it’s really great, especially now that it's freezing.”

The collection is titled Spring Summer 2025 in line with US season drops, and alongside caftans and coats, there are boho-style cotton dresses and hand-dyed silk pieces in butter yellow. You can shop the range online for balmy getaways, layered looks at home, and pieces you’ll wear for many years to come.

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