The Design of Relationships

“Behind every collection lies a conversation. Behind every idea, a friendship.”

In fashion, as in design, everything starts with connection. Shapes, textures, and ideas don’t exist in isolation — they evolve through collaboration, dialogue, and trust. For me, the same is true of people. Relationships are part of the foundation of our industry.
Perhaps it’s my Italian nature, but I’ve always believed that friendship sits at the heart of good work. In Italian culture whether in Pescara, Florence ,or somewhere outside of Italy like Montreal or New York, relationships are part of the culture; from the first espresso of the morning to the conversations that last long after dinner. It’s about warmth, curiosity, and the pleasure of building something together.
Fashion can be fast, but relationships take time. They’re built slowly, through shared vision and respect. A good partnership — like good design — needs understanding, detail, care ,and trust. It’s not about transactions; it’s about creating harmony between people and ideas.
At Retail 28 Trend & Theory, we see relationships as our most valuable material. The way we speak to a maker, collaborate with a designer, or welcome a brand into our space — each interaction shapes the story we tell. When trust becomes part of the design process, the results feel natural, human, and lasting.
In the end, fashions fades, collections change, and trends evolve — but the strong and true friendships behind all creations remain. That’s where the real beauty of this industry lives: in the people who build it, together.

– Davide Lettieri