Teresa Maccapani Missoni's Travel-Inspired Plus-Size Line Is Unlike Anything You've Seen

"I didn’t worry about plus-sizes [vs.] regular sizes, I was just thinking about what I would want a woman to wear."

Teresa Maccapani Missoni's Travel-Inspired Plus-Size Line Is Unlike Anything You've Seen

Teresa for Eloquii dress, $295, dress, $255, pants, $175, top, pants $145, all eloquii.com

Finally! The Teresa Maccapani Missoni for Eloquii collection is here. We've been harboring this secret since a little bird (cough, Maccapani Missoni, cough) told us about it last December. And after seeing the beachy, serotonin-boosting designs (above), you can imagine how difficult it's been to be tight-lipped.

Now that you're in on it, we know what you're thinking: Those aren't Missoni's classic stripes. But the designer avoided the brand's signature on purpose. “I finally had the chance to do something on my own," says Maccapani Missoni, who was working on special projects (like designer collabs and even a branded car) for the family house. "I love Missoni and I grew up in my mom's office helping out with the collection, but it was really important to me to do something different.”

That "something different" resulted in a collection of travel-inspired pieces, perfect for springtime dates and summer vacations. Specifically, the 24-piece capsule is made up of dresses, jumpsuits, skirts, pants, and tops in silk crepe, cotton eyelet, and chiffon fabrics. And yes, that's a hell of a lot more elevated than what's currently on offer for size 12 to 28 garments. (Plus, there's gorgeous embroidery and a mermaid print!) So before you whip out your credit card for some Missoni-level luxury, hear what the designer has to say about her famous fashion family, elevating the plus-size space, and how she wears her favorite piece.

Teresa for Eloquii cardigan, $125, pants, $145, eloquii.com

Glamour: What do you think this collection brings that didn’t exist in the market before?
Teresa Missoni: Before doing the collection, I looked around to see what the market was offering, and I realized that the plus-size market was very focused on trend. So I tried to give this client something unique and timeless that she didn’t have before—something new that was made only for them, instead of chasing a trend or doing something that was already done [for straight sizes].

Glamour: How did you approach the design process with that in mind?
TM: I didn’t worry about plus-sizes [versus] regular sizes, I was just thinking about what I would want a woman to wear—what prints and shapes make a woman feel beautiful. And then I adapted the shapes, with Eloquii’s help, to the needs of the client.

Glamour: And it’s more elevated and expensive for the market.
TM: Yes, absolutely. That was essential for me because that’s missing as well. I wanted to give them something the looked and felt precious. And for summer, natural fibers are important for comfort! I hate wearing something that sticks to my skin.

Teresa x Eloquii dress, $275, eloquii.com

Glamour: What personal experiences have you had that made you want to design for this size range?
TM: I’m a European 44 to 46. But even if I’m not considered plus-size, I can say that it’s difficult to find clothes that fit well once you’re above a size 44. I’ve been struggling all of my life to find shapes that made me feel comfortable and confident. But once I found [my rhythm], I thought that I should share my tips with other women. And why not to a market like this where many things are missing?

Glamour: You come from a family of outstanding women in fashion—how has your family been involved in this project, if at all?
TM: Growing up with a family of so many strong and different women helped me to design the collection. We’re very close to each other, so we speak almost every day. Before I started this project, I talked to my sister Margherita because she has long thought that something must be done in the plus-size market. Before Eloquii approached me, we were thinking of doing something on our own for plus-sizes.

Glamour: And what about your mother? Is there an ode to the Missoni brand in this line?
TM: She loved it! But she didn’t go through the collection while I was working on it because she didn’t want to influence me—because for the first time, I had the courage to go out on my own with just my name and [work] on something that has nothing to do with the company. I showed her some sketches—but I’m very lucky—she believes a lot in my talent. She always gave me a lot of freedom in the projects I did for Missoni, and she supports me even more now.

Glamour: Last question—what’s your favorite piece in the collection, and how will you wear it this summer?
TM: I have to say: love all the pieces. But I always wear long dresses, so the one I love the most is the silk fit-and-flare with the toile de jouy marine print. I want to wear that dress every day, all day long! By the sea I’d wear it with some simple gold bracelets and a real shell necklace—I make them myself with shells that I find. But I could wear it to go out at night with a pair of sandals or high heels and a beautiful belt.