Ateliers and petites mains are the treasured assets sitting at the core of couture houses. For an automotive player that only four years ago embarked on the challenging mission of competing with luxury fashion brands, not having either of those to rely on contributed to the skepticism fashion insiders originally had toward the venture. No matter that the new entrant was no less than Ferrari, where managing complexities to get things moving — at a rapid pace — is part of its very heritage.

But why compete with ateliers when you’re the only one in the industry that can boast of an “officina?” The workshop is the real engine of the company, the place where many kids’ dreams and high spenders’ demands for fast and stylish cars turn into reality.

“This is our place of election, where things get done and creativity gets tangible,” said creative director Rocco Iannone. Rather than images of movie, music or fashion muses, his mood board for resort 2026 was plastered with archival pictures of life at the Ferrari workshop through the years, with the convergence of engineers, factory workers, VIP customers and ladies wrapped in furs offering a snapshot of “the most precious patrimony we have: our community.”

This inspired the wardrobe Iannone created for the season, as he looked to convey the same pursuit of excellence and craft, especially through fabric experimentation.

The collection hinged on a mix of tailoring and workwear, which included zippered jackets and blousons cut from coated canvas with an oily effect, acid-treated denim or rendered in a cold-dyed nylon, which conferred an almost painterly look to the easy-to-approach styles. Iannone sought the same result through a colorful abstract print and knitwear, as seen in double-layered crewneck sweaters and dresses with a mélange effect.

Ferrari’s trademarked Q-cycle material derived from the processing of waste tires additionally informed knits and suits, while its second-life leather recovered from car seats was deployed to craft the small leather goods and charms that peppered looks here and there.

But it was leather at-large that reigned supreme. Either grained, with a talcum touch or lived-in effect, supple napa was folded like origami in appealing cropped jackets, draped for skirts or chiseled in sculptural minidresses embroidered with the recurrent 7×7 check motif that nods to Ferrari’s driving overalls.