“Catch” stems from a clear reflection on the present, in which the concept of the “Essential” emerges as a key to interpreting our time and, at the same time, as a possible direction for what lies ahead. A thought that resonates with the ancient Australian Aboriginal adage “The more you know, the less you need”, which today takes on a renewed meaning: no longer simple subtraction, but an evolved awareness, made possible by technology capable of compressing a complex universe of information, relationships and tools into minimal space—redefining the relationship between individuals, objects and movement.
It is within this subtle balance between reduction and intensity that the project developed by Palomba Serafini Associati for Doucal’s takes shape: a collection of accessories composed of bags and backpacks, marking the studio’s entry into the language of fashion while preserving its design-driven approach.“Today, essentiality is no longer a renunciation, but a conscious choice: it means designing objects capable of containing complexity and function within measured forms, accompanying the rhythms of contemporary life with naturalness and ease,” says Gianni Giannini, CEO and Creative Director of Doucal’s. The approach is rooted in architecture, where every element is considered, calibrated and essential, yet opens up to a more fluid and everyday dimension.
“Synthesis becomes both a design gesture and a shared value, in deep harmony with the identity of Doucal’s, where elegance is built through balance, proportion and attention to detail. To reduce does not mean to deprive, but to distill: forms governed by rigorous geometries welcome and organize space with precision, transforming the accessory into a discreet yet meaningful presence, capable of containing what is necessary without excess.”
Ludovica Serafini + Roberto Palomba
In the background, the influence of Le Corbusier’s Modulor emerges, where the concept of the “minimum dwelling” asserts itself as a response to excess, redefining the meaning of luxury. No longer ostentation, but the ability to choose, to control form, to value the quality of space. A principle that naturally extends into objects designed to endure, distancing themselves from the logic of the ephemeral.
Translating this vision into material is a craftsmanship deeply rooted in Doucal’s heritage: leatherwork becomes a conscious, precise gesture, never ostentatious. Each accessory takes shape through expert hands, capable of maintaining coherence between design and execution, between concept and use. The result is a series of objects that do not seek immediate effect, but instead build an authentic relationship over time with the person who wears them, expressing a quiet continuity that brings fashion closer to the language of design.
