#MCCOTInterview {2}

Andrea Pilato Barrara, the man behind BACON

Choosing one's way as a teenager is not always easy. Indeed some struggle a lot to find their own path. For experienced Italian entrepreneur and founder, Andrea Pilato Barrara, it was a little different: he had very clear in his mind what he wanted to do with his life since his teenagehood. At the age of 15, he was already entering the world of down jackets, experimenting and waxing and designing some of them for his friends. Not a surprise at all then if, in 2011 in Milan, after managing for several years his own stores, he decided to establish his own fashion brand BACON. An international, simple and impossible to forget tiny name. Let's talk with him about the BACON code. About Innovation and Sustainability, two of his main workhorses. And of course, last but not least, about the famous BACON Attitude, every woman is looking to get.

By Hélène Battaglia

Who are You?

I am Andrea Pilato Barrara, founder of Bacon Clothing. Being the founder of a fashion brand makes me a very curious person who finds inspiration in everyday experiences.

Before becoming an entrepreneur and founder of your own brand of clothing launched in 2011 and based in Milan, what did you do professionally?

I have very extensive experience in the retail streetwear and sportswear segment and for many years I managed my own stores. Managing a brand meant that I was fully immersed in the fashion world of the mid-nineties. That period, deeply influenced by Underground youth cultures and the Grunge style, trained me professionally and gave me the opportunity to see and live the fashion industry at its best. Without doubt, this experience profoundly influenced the essence of my current brand.

Did you plan this move since ever? Running your own business was one of your teen dream?

I was lucky enough to enter this profession at a very young age; I have always had very clear ideas about what I wanted to do in the future. Already, at the age of 15, I was experimenting with and entering the world of down jackets, waxing and designing them for my friends.

Is it a special reason you called it ‘BACON’?

I was looking for a name that was as international as possible; a word that is pronounced in the same way everywhere. I wanted a meeting point between different worlds and cultures… and suddenly Bacon came into my mind in a very spontaneous way. It’s a very simple term but, at the same time, it has a huge impact and is impossible to forget.

You turned the puffer jacket into a fashionable and trendy garment to wear, how did you make it?

Crafting a lightweight puffer jacket that boasts all the practical benefits without compromising on coolness is not an easy task and I still find it challenging, even today. However, the more challenging it is, the more it fascinates me. I think the secret lies in seeing the down jacket through the lense of contemporary design and always being at the crossroads between streetwear and outdoor wear. And that’s exactly where Bacon’s strength and energy come from.

What exactly is the Bacon Code?

The Bacon code is the perfect mix of shape, style and soul. It’s about the way people move in the street and, above all, how they live in the world. The key idea is to come as you are, giving huge importance to people’s independence and individualism. It is also about high product performance with an attitude, inspired by the city and conceived for the everyday.    

How do we get the Bacon Attitude?

Bacon appeals to a new generation of women looking for truly distinctive pieces that flawlessly merge Italian design, high quality and sophisticated ease. A Bacon jacket is not something to simply throw on to keep the cold out, but rather a statement garment that ultimately expresses today’s women and their bold, unconstrained and stylish attitude. Whether paired with a tracksuit and sneakers or worn with a full-sequin dress and stiletto heels; these padded wonders come with an intrinsic sense of freedom, self-confidence and belonging. They not only make you feel special but also connect you to the growing audience of free-thinkers, style-seekers and urban achievers now forming the Bacon crew.

You started with a women’s collection then recently a kid's one. Are you planning the launch of a    men’s collection soon?

After many months of work, I have just finished working on the FW22 collection, which also includes a small men's capsule, with just a few items, designed with extreme care and passion. When I start something new, I always prefer to work on a small number of garments but to do them well.

At the contrary of most of your competitors on the international market who produce in China to do more profit, all your collections are designed in Italy and manufactured in the best European workshops. Was it a difficult decision to make?

At the beginning, it was very difficult because of the high costs involved. Over time, however, the decision to go for high quality garments has paid off, removing many of the initial doubts and problems related to producing entirely in Europe.

Innovation and Sustainability are your main workhorses to stand out of the crowd, isn’t it?

They are definitely arguments that have became more important to us, especially in more recent collections. We are realising that the new generations are very receptive to these themes and often empathise with our brand for these very reasons.

BACON philosophy in three words

Consistency, Passion, Team work.

What’s next?

We are looking at extending our production technique to other product categories such as trench coats, and we shall definitely be moving into accessories. 

All the pictures are Courtesy of Bacon Clothing

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