Tariffs, Chaos, and the Return of the Romance of Shopping?

There was a time when shopping was part of the adventure.

Certain brands were only available in certain places and that was part of the magic.

I used to be obsessed with ballet flats, and my absolute favorite pair came from a tiny shop behind La Scala theatre in Milan. You had to go there. That made it special. It felt like a secret.

Now with tariffs making everything more complicated (and expensive), especially for smaller brands, I wonder if we’re heading back to that kind of shopping. Not because it’s better, let’s be honest, there’s nothing good about tariffs for independent designer, but because it might force us to slow down. To plan ahead.

Maybe Americans will start thinking, what should I buy while I’m in Europe? instead of just buying everything online in two clicks.

There’s something emotional about shopping in a real place, connecting with a piece, it’s part memory, part treasure.

For a small brand like mine, rising shipping costs and complicated logistics are making it harder to reach customers in places like the US and maybe it’s time for a return to destination shopping.

This summer, I’m welcoming my American clients to Capri. Instead of battling tariffs, I want to offer them an unforgettable experience, where they can enjoy my designs in person, slower pace, salty air, surrounded by the beauty that inspired them.