Why tailoring deserves a second look
For many women, finding a suit that truly fits has traditionally been a frustrating challenge. Ready-to-wear suiting rarely accommodates the diverse nuances of women’s bodies, and tends to leave little room for individuality, unique tailoring, or personal taste. Because of this, women resort to men’s custom tailoring as their only alternative, typically resulting in them having to compromise on their desired silhouette. Yet today, the way women dress has evolved, and so have their expectations. They are looking for custom suiting that feels refined and precisely tailored to their proportions without being restrictive, timeless without feeling traditional, and versatile enough to move effortlessly between different moments of their lives.
This shift has opened the door to a new approach to tailoring—one that values craftsmanship, thoughtful design and personal fit over trends. It is within this context that PARLA was founded, offering a contemporary interpretation of classic tailoring while placing precision, intention and individuality at the centre of every garment.
Inspired by Italian craftsmanship
Based in Milan, PARLA is a womenswear house dedicated to bespoke and custom tailoring. Founded by Lauren Linnane, the brand combines the precision of traditional Italian craftsmanship with a contemporary understanding of how women want to dress today.
At the heart of the collection is PARLA’s modern interpretation of the classic three-piece suit. Every garment is made entirely in Italy using natural fibres, carefully selected buttons and fabrics sourced from heritage mills in Como and Biella, two regions internationally recognised for their expertise in luxury textiles. Production takes place in a small, women-led atelier in the Marche region, where each piece is handcrafted with the attention to detail that has defined Italian tailoring for generations. More recently, PARLA has also introduced Loro Piana fabrics into its selection, offering clients access to some of Italy’s most renowned textiles.
Rather than focusing on seasonal collections, PARLA focuses on creating garments that remain relevant long after they are first worn. The brand’s philosophy is captured in its own expression: “Made in Italy, Made for Her,” reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship that begins in Italy and ends with the individual woman who will wear each piece.
A bespoke experience designed around the individual
One of the defining characteristics of PARLA is its commitment to su misura, the Italian tradition of bespoke and custom tailoring. Unlike ready-to-wear clothing, every garment begins with a blank pattern and is developed specifically for each client.
The process goes beyond taking measurements. It begins with understanding the woman herself—how she lives, how she works, and what she wants her wardrobe to communicate. These conversations become part of the design process, resulting in garments that reflect both personal style and practical needs.
The outcome is a piece that is unique to its owner, not only because of its fit but because it has been created around her lifestyle. No two garments are ever the same, making every suit a truly personal expression of the woman wearing it.
Designing with longevity in mind
While craftsmanship is often associated with aesthetics, PARLA also considers longevity an essential part of quality.
Every garment is constructed using natural materials selected for their durability, and each seam includes an additional two centimetres of fabric, allowing the piece to be altered over time as the body naturally changes.
It is a thoughtful detail, but it reflects a broader philosophy: clothing should adapt to the person wearing it, rather than expecting the opposite. In a fashion industry increasingly driven by fast consumption, this approach encourages a slower and more considered relationship with our wardrobes, where investment pieces are designed to evolve alongside the women who own them.
Milan as a source of inspiration
Although PARLA creates garments for women around the world, Milan remains at the heart of the brand.
The city’s approach to style—effortless, polished and intentionally understated—influences every collection. Rather than chasing trends, PARLA embraces the sense of refinement and quiet confidence that has long defined Milanese dressing, translating those values into garments that feel equally relevant in professional and personal settings.
This balance between tradition and modernity is what gives the brand its distinctive identity: deeply rooted in Italian craftsmanship while designed for the lives of today’s global woman.
The story behind the name
The name PARLA combines personal heritage with a clear sense of purpose. It draws inspiration from founder Lauren Linnane’s great-grandmother’s surname, Parlatore, while also referencing the Italian word parla, meaning “she speaks.”
Together, these references capture the woman the brand was created for: self-assured, confident and globally minded. PARLA often describes her as “graciously fierce”—someone who moves comfortably between professional and personal spaces while embracing both authority and softness with equal confidence.
The vision behind the brand
Before launching PARLA, Lauren Linnane spent more than a decade working in corporate finance, where she experienced first-hand the limitations of traditional womenswear. It was during this time that she began questioning why tailoring for women so often relied on adapting existing menswear traditions rather than responding to the realities of women’s lives.
In 2023, Lauren moved to Milan, where she immersed herself in Italy’s world of artisans, master tailors and heritage textile mills. Working closely alongside these craftspeople gave her a deeper appreciation for the precision and heritage behind Italian tailoring, ultimately inspiring the creation of PARLA.
Today, the brand also partners with five-star hotels across Milan, creating opportunities for clients and personal stylists to discover the collections and experience PARLA’s bespoke approach in an intimate setting.
Looking ahead
As PARLA continues to grow, it remains focused on building a community around craftsmanship and intentional design. The brand recently hosted a trunk show at Palazzo Touring Club in Milan, bringing together many of the people who have supported its journey from the very beginning. In the fall season, PARLA will be hosting trunk shows in NYC and Boston.
While the brand continues to evolve, its vision remains remarkably consistent: to create garments that reflect the lives of the women who wear them. Through exceptional Italian craftsmanship, thoughtful design and a genuinely bespoke experience, PARLA offers a modern perspective on tailoring—one that values individuality, longevity and the confidence that comes from wearing something made with purpose.
If you would like to learn more about the journey of creating PARLA from the ground up from the founder, Lauren, you can listen to her recent episode on the Six Figure Personal Stylist Podcast.