LPA STUDIO : EXPLORING UTOPIAN UNIVERSE THROUGH RETRO-FUTURISM

LPA Studio is an emerging brand born from the vision of Gabriella Cacucci, originally from  Puglia, with a deep passion for fashion and design. After studying fashion in Turin, she  moved to Milan, where she created the first pieces of her collection, defined by a  futuristic, utopian aesthetic rooted in retro-futurism. 

LPA stands for Little Purple Alien, a reflection of Gabriella’s alter ego, symbolizing her  sense of being misunderstood by a society that has become increasingly predictable and  conformist. Gabriella envisions a utopian world where freedom of expression reigns,  peace prevails, and harmony exists for all. It’s a future-forward vision, yet anchored in the  past, where fashion represents a perfect illusion, offering a world where people can truly  live according to their ideals. 

Little Purple Alien is the perfect reflection of the soul of Gabriella, its founder. The name  comes from a childhood nickname, as she was often called an alien—sometimes for her  original, out-of-the-box approach, other times for her way of thinking and communicating,  which seemed to belong to another world. This feeling of uniqueness and difference later  translated into her creative vision, giving life to LPA, the brand that today fully represents  her personal aesthetic and universe.  

Throughout her journey, Gabriella has explored two contrasting visions of futurism: retro futurism, optimistic and utopian, and cyberpunk, which depicts dystopian and chaotic  scenarios. At the heart of LPA's creative research lies retro-futurism, a movement that  blends nostalgia for the future with innovation. Inspired by the Space Age—an audacious  period in design history—the brand draws from the futuristic aesthetics of the 1960s,  offering a contemporary reinterpretation of fashion and technology. Influenced by  visionary designers such as Pierre Cardin, André Courrèges, and Paco Rabanne, LPA  envisions a positive futuristic world where humans coexist in harmony.  

Each capsule collection is the result of meticulous research, always rooted in the brand’s  futuristic vision. LPA explores various interpretations of futuristic aesthetics, striving to  balance digital elements with a human touch. Gabriella’s inspirations often arise  spontaneously and instinctively. Every LPA collection comes to life through images,  shapes, and concepts that emerge organically: bags that become portals between  different worlds, structures that evoke spaceships.  

LPA stands out for its strong identity, refusing to conform to fleeting trends. This conveys  an indirect message from the brand, aiming to create a unique space where anyone can  belong while staying true to their own vision—a world of positivity and harmony. Those  who choose LPA know that it is more than just an accessory; it is a statement that  enhances their personality. LPA adds value to individuality, allowing each person to  decide who they want to be when wearing it. 

The first mini capsule from LPA, PLASTIC FORMS, was entirely made through an  upcycling process, except for the metal elements, which were purchased separately. All  the denim used was recycled. The most fascinating part of this process was the  opportunity to give new life to existing materials, often of very high quality. 

Each piece in this capsule is unique: every bag has its own story, as it was made with  denim from different eras. After upcycling, eco-leather was chosen as an additional  material, but the introduction of real leather is being considered, with the aim of offering  customers the possibility to choose based on their preferences and ethical principles. 

Artificial Intelligence has proven to be an essential ally for LPA, not only in the creation of  new visual concepts but also in strengthening the brand’s communication. While  collaborations with 3D artists remain crucial for advanced bag modeling, AI plays a role  when there is a need to develop fast and original digital content. In this context, AI does  not replace the work of 3D artists but integrates as a tool that enriches the brand’s visual  storytelling, further emphasizing and communicating LPA's distinctive aesthetic.  

LPA looks to the future with the goal of constant evolution while staying true to its identity.  The second capsule collection, set to launch in 2025, will introduce new bags, marking  another significant milestone in the brand’s creative journey. The next steps will focus on  continuous experimentation, ranging from advancements in 3D innovation to the  development of new communication languages.  

The goal is to further refine the brand’s identity, maintaining a consistent visual narrative  that expresses its roots and philosophy with even greater clarity. A key aspect of future  research will be a deeper exploration of how the past envisioned the future. This dialogue  between past and future will become an even more crucial element in LPA’s aesthetic,  further enriching its creative vision. 

Written by Eleonora Pili a GLITCH Magazine Contributor