Maria Pia Amabile

Known lovingly by Bern’s fashion crowd as “Mapi”, Maria Pia Amabile is a Swiss-Italian fashion designer with an energetic enthusiasm that breathes life into her ready-to-wear collections. English mods and punks, American old jazz stars and Italian black-and-white movies meet in a clash of influences that translate into classic designs with a twist. Above all, Mapi hopes to show that customers can look feminine without wearing a dress. As such, you’ll find clean-cut palazzo pants and swing shorts teamed with cheery polka-dot blouses. A favourite this year is a summer wool fabric that is cool and breathable, and has been worked into a range of designs, including a pinstriped jumpsuit. Alterations are offered free of charge, and you can even request a design to be made up for you in a colour of your choice.