“Anything more would be unnecessary; anything less, unacceptable.” This enduring maxim defines the vision of Carelli International's founder and CEO, Vittorio G. Carelli. His disciplined approach—marked by deliberate, methodical dialogues on form, function, technique, and materials—has shaped a design philosophy rooted in precision and purpose. Under his direct leadership, the Paris-based ELSA team crafted garments that sought not merely to follow fashion, but to transcend it—pursuing a standard of perfection where elegance and forward-thinking design converge.
A Sense of Permanence
Unlike prior collections, the 1989 ETE Collection marked a pivotal evolution—manufactured entirely within facilities owned and operated by Vittorio Carelli International S.A.R.L. in France. This vertical integration enabled complete control over quality, craftsmanship, and production—not only for the brand’s own garments but also for prestigious European fashion houses. Situated just outside Paris in the Henri Bresson district, the state-of-the-art facility produced items under the Vittorio Carelli label as well as for esteemed names such as Chanel, Hervé Léger, Thierry Mugler, and others. The ETE ’89 Collection reflected a departure from transient trends, embodying a sense of permanence and refinement in a culture consumed by the ephemeral.
We are frequently asked whether Vittorio Carelli was personally involved in the design of these products. In truth, every piece bearing his name—whether fashion, eyewear, or accessories—originated from his own pencil. Each fitting, stitch, button, photo shoot, and visual detail down to the eyelash was subject to his rigorous oversight. Those who have worked closely with him understand well the depth of his commitment to precision—and the unyielding standard that defines exacting perfection.
The Result
Sales revenue from the ETE '89 Collection surged by an extraordinary 300% compared to its predecessor, the HIVER line. Yet beyond the impressive financial performance, it was the Collection's critical reception that truly distinguished it. Industry publication Marie Claire remarked, “Fashion assumes a new form and shape—a soft, comfortable silhouette that redefines the entire body by emphasizing a slender waistline. Vittorio Carelli has taken a leading role with a Collection poised for the future, guided by a vision that crystallizes his approach to fashion as both timeless and impeccably timed.”
Collection ETE ’89 Highlights
A Sense of Permanence. Clothing that
ignores the constant demand for novelty and possesses
an elevated character—a quality that conveys a
sense of permanence in a world infatuated with the temporary.
Manufacturing In-house, Under Strict Control.
The ETE ‘89 Collection led to a new manufacturing
facility located just outside of Paris in the Henri
Bresson area, owned and operated by Vittorio Carelli
International S.A.R.L. France. This provided for complete
control over quality and final production.
Manufacturing Other Labels. The new manufacturing facility was certainly no run-of-the-mill, it produced Vittorio Carelli branded products as well as articles for European labels, Chanel, Herve Legar, Thierry Muglar, and others.
A Bold 300% Increase in Sales. Sales
revenue from the ETE ‘89 Collection represented
a staggering 300% increase over its previous HIVER predecessor.
However, more significant was the press attention associated
with this particular Collection.
Publications Takes Notice. The industry
publication Marie Claire read, ”fashion assumes
a new form and shape, a soft comfortable silhouette
that redefines the whole body by focusing on a slender
waistline, Vittorio Carelli has taken a leading role,
with a Collection poised for the future with a vision
that crystallizes his approach to fashion as timeless,
and yet well-timed.“
We See the Future a Bit Differently.
People will be looking for brands and logos which identify
a lifestyle they adhere to or want to belong to, observes
Marjo Sausse, chief of research and development operations,
prêt-à-porter products.
Product Identity. Special buttons
developed specifically for the previous ’89-89
HIVER Collection were justifiably preserved; the largest,
38 millimeters in size, offered a unique one-of-a-kind
method for attachment.
Vittorio Carelli Lunettes. Accessory eyeglasses were created for three distinct product categories of the Collection ETE '89.
A Painstaking Process. The repeated
model development and staging process required in the
clothing business is uniquely more difficult than with
other products or markets. Each Collection, consisting
of as many as two hundred individual models or more,
is created several times annually.
Vittorio Carelli Reaffirms Business Alliances.
The Vittorio Carelli ETE ‘89 Collection was indeed
well received, reaffirming business alliances with a
prestigious list of resellers from around the world—a
list that even those with well-established labels would
envy.
Options, Accessories and Related
We apologize—this information is no longer made
available.
We See the Future a Bit Differently
“From the onset, we’ve had a different
hypothesis about fashion and the trends associated with
it. We feel there is now a growing crossover of trends
in fashion and other products such as home decor,”
observes Marjo Sausse, chief of research and development
operations, prêt-à-porter products, Vittorio
Carelli International S.A.R.L. France. “When we see
stripes in fashion, we see them also for the home and
vice-versa. We believe clients will be looking for designer
goods that either reflect his or her universe or express
the kind of universe he or she wants to be in. When
someone buys Dior sheets today, they are trying to belong
to the Galliano for Dior tribe. People will be looking
for brands and logos which identify a lifestyle they
adhere to or want to belong to. Only time will tell
if our forecast is correct. However, should this prove
to be the case, anonymous labels will soon no longer
have a raison d'être.”
The Creative Process of Fashion
“Two hundred models or more several times
a year.”
The repeated model development and staging process
required in the clothing business is uniquely more difficult
than with other products or markets. Each Collection,
consisting of as many as two hundred individual models
or more, is created several times annually. The customer
is always eager, buyers are finicky, and the press is
forever providing a free-for-all for those creating
genuine ideas, as well as those who miss the mark altogether.
It’s exhausting, and at the same time exhilarating.
The
Vittorio Carelli ETE ‘89 Collection was indeed
well received, reaffirming business alliances with a
prestigious list of resellers from around the world—a
list that even those with well-established labels would
envy. This ETE Collection was accredited by a gathering
of press; the industry publication Marie Claire read
“fashion assumes a new form and shape, a soft
shape that redefines the whole body by focusing on a
slender waistline, Vittorio Carelli has taken a leading
role, with a Collection poised for the future with a
vision that crystallizes his approach to fashion as
timeless, and yet well-timed.”
Still, in the midst of all this growing enthusiasm
and positive publicity building around the Vittorio
Carelli label, something was undeniably brewing behind
the scenes. Decision makers at Carelli International
had set a distinct expectation, and the company found
itself facing a mounting dilemma. Despite all the positive
press and growth in sales, the amount of time required
to properly develop each Collection was difficult to
maintain at the high standards Carelli International
had established. In addition to the Collection, the
chief designer was equally devoted to other key activities
within Carelli International, and this ultimately resulted
in a decision to discontinue further Vittorio Carelli
“silver label” products in 1991.
Carelli International’s founder and CEO, Vittorio
Carelli would remark that “our company’s
objective, above all, is to create a significant product.
Any compromise at this point would render us something
less, something other than what we have become.”
Who
we are
A Small Portion of Our Work is Available for Public View
We frequently receive inquiries from the public seeking details about specific projects. To accommodate this interest, we offer a curated selection of past and current works available for public viewing online. However, many of our most impactful achievements remain confidential at the request of our clients and therefore cannot be publicly disclosed. Accredited journalists may request access to our Press Members Website, where they can view and download press materials related to completed and in-progress projects. We're honored by the public's curiosity and invite all those interested to explore and gain deeper insight into our creative process.
The Company
Carelli International is composed of specialized divisions—Carelli Design, Codeworks CSE, and Webworks CSE—each contributing to a comprehensive suite of end-to-end solutions spanning product and experience design, mechanical and software engineering, brand development, advertising, photography, audiovisual communication, interactive media, artificial intelligence platforms, and more. These capabilities are seamlessly integrated across platforms, technologies, and industries. EuroSystem Systems & Technology, a subsidiary of Carelli International, focuses on the engineering, manufacturing, and worldwide distribution of ultra-premium commercial reverse osmosis (RO) systems. Trusted in high-stakes sectors such as medical, pharmaceutical, and food services, EuroSystem is recognized for its performance at the highest level of industry standards. Vittorio Carelli International S.A.R.L., originally founded in Paris and transitioned to U.S. operations in 1993, specializes in the design and global distribution of high-end luxury goods. With more than five decades of applied expertise, Carelli International has built a reputation for excellence and innovation. Our clientele includes some of the world's most recognized brands—Coca-Cola, Sony, Motorola, Starbucks, Disney, Porsche, GE, China Unicom, and many Fortune 500 companies.
More about Carelli Design
Collection
ETE ’89—Concepts
Take a look into the Paris-based ELSA team design studios
responsible for creating the ETE ‘89 Collection
with this video (3.5MB QuickTime). Requires Quicktime,
QuickTime is a free download direct from Apple. Download
Apple QuickTime
Collection
ETE ’89—Research
Download information about the research behind the product.
(2.8MB PDF) Adobe's Acrobat Reader is required for viewing
PDF files and available as a free download direct from
Adobe. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader
Navigate your way around a number of models from the
ETE ’89 Collection. Each file is approximately
250KB and requires Apple QuickTime. QuickTime is a free
download direct from Apple. Download Apple QuickTime
Accredited journalists may request access to our Press Members Website, where they can view and download press materials related to completed and in-progress projects. Journalists are urged to contact Press Member Services for information concerning available projects, project ID's and password keys.
Awards from the Industrial Designers Society of America,
the International Interior Design Association, the American
Institute of Architects, and many others have supported
our contributions to industrial product design. We continue
to be committed to developing products and solutions
that meet the demands of our clients while appealing
to the emotional desires of consumers. We are equally
committed to bigger issues—humanity, equality,
and bettering the world we live in.
