Fiona Dallanegra, Cwene Founder

With over twenty five years experience in the fashion and luxury sectors including the role of Fashion Editor at i-D Magazine, a decade long tenure at the iconic House of CHANEL in Paris, and consulting for LVMH & Christian Dior, Fiona Dallanegra has cultivated a deep understanding of what women want to wear…
While her career provided a profound understanding of fashion, it was the transformative experience of the first lockdown in 2020 that truly set the course for Cwene. Yearning for simplicity and authenticity, Fiona embarked upon a personal sartorial renaissance, embracing ease, self expression and most importantly - comfort.

The Birth of Cwene:

The pivotal moment came when a vintage 70s Moroccan caftan, gifted by Fiona’s mother-in-law, was thrown on during lockdown. That caftan was more than just a garment, it ignited a vision. What if this timeless design could be refined to create something luxurious, functional and ultimately beautiful?

Commitment to our planet:

Currently, we cannot claim to be fully sustainable - in the true sense of the word, for reasons such as fabric production, dying, shipping, packaging. We can however promise to be truthful and transparent about our process in order to gain, and hopefully maintain, your trust. It is one of our driving missions to consistently improve with every single step of our journey. What we do do is use natural fabrics - silk, cotton, linen, selected viscose - that ensure not only comfort and elegance, but also minimal environmental impact as they biodegrade, should they ever end up in landfill. Rejecting the conventional production norms, we champion small runs to avoid excess stock. We also use ‘end of line’ designer ‘dead stock’ fabrics, breathing new life into materials that would otherwise be discarded. This approach echoes not only resourcefulness but also ensures that our product runs are limited and that we do not over produce.

Crafted with care:

Our Caftans are meticulously crafted and hand-finished in London, upholding principles of fair pay and ethical production. By choosing local production, we minimise our carbon footprint and can regularly visit the site. For us, this takes precedence over mass production.

Beyond Trends:

Cwene is a manifestation of the slow fashion movement. We create pieces that transcend fleeting trends, believing that clothes should empower, inspire, and stand the test of time. Our caftans aren’t confined by age or body shape; they celebrate individuality and offer comfort and confidence to all who wear them.

The Cwene Community:

Cwene aspires to be more than just a brand; we aim to foster a community of strong, wise women who call upon their life experiences to enrich their journey forward.