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Utah designer Danny Nappi has been invited to Fashion Week in Los Angeles. But what's perhaps more impressive: He's only had his label, Nappi, for a year and a half.
Nappi taught himself to sew just 5 years ago. "Just kinda started off making clothing for myself, altering clothing," he explained.
Then at the end of 2007, he started his label, Nappi. "I do jeans; getting into dresses, coats, bags," Nappi said.
He's taking it all to LA for Fashion Week. "It's pretty much like getting your film into Sundance: the national exposure, press, celebrities," he said.
Nappi already has celebrities wearing his clothes: Lance Bass, AJ Buckley and JK Simmons. It's also David Archuleta's exclusive brand while on tour.
"They'll be going all across the U.S. wearing Nappi, and they may be going to Europe afterward," Nappi said.
But celebrities aren't the only ones who like his stuff. "They make me feel feminine, especially the pants," model BriAnn Rachele said.
Nappi says his jeans are light-stitch denim. They also carry his logo on the back pocket: a bull with wings.
"I come from Italian descent and wanted to tie in the European feel, so the bull got brought to that. And the wings represent racing, which is one of my passions," Nappi said.
Nappi has big plans for his label. He envisions it as the next Diesel, even Gucci. He wants to be setting the trends for decades to come. But until he gets there, he just gets a kick out of seeing Utahns wearing his stuff.
"That's been the coolest part, to see people wearing it and loving it that I have no contact with," Nappi said.
The jeans cost upwards of $100. Nappi Clothing is available at:
- Whimsy
- 2005 E. 2700 South #B, Salt Lake City
- 1685 Bonanza Drive, Park City
- 447 W. 1425 North, Layton
- 12197 S. 1300 East, Draper
- Model Citizen
- 247 E. Broadway, Salt Lake City
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
