The Melbourne label proving one good accessory can change an outfit
image via @capiaghisummer/instagram
as told to lily mcveigh
Meet Capiaghi Summer.
Designers Jana Capiaghi and Chloe Summers first met at a festival, around six years ago. Five years later, after bonding over a shared love of fashion and festivals, they decided to start their own label, combining both of their names to create Capiaghi Summer. “When we realised we had such similar tastes and ambition, building something together just made sense,” they reflect.
In the early days, Jana and Chloe wanted to make pieces they felt were missing from their own wardrobes. A year on from its launch, that philosophy still rings true. Whether it’s a fringed skirt, utility belt or oversized cowhide bag, the label’s ethos is centred around creating statement pieces that can transform an outfit entirely. “The right piece changes everything.”
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Though leather itself is known for its durability and its unique ability to get better with age, working almost exclusively with the material comes with its own set of challenges. “Each piece carries its own markings, texture and feel, which means no two are ever completely the same,” Jana and Chloe explain. “But that’s what makes it beautiful and gives every design its own personality.”
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Fashion Journal: Hi Jana and Chloe! What are your fashion backgrounds and where are you based?
Jana and Chloe: Hi! We’re the founders of Capiaghi Summer, based in Melbourne. We each come from fashion in different ways. Chloe has a background in buying, while Jana’s background is in content creation and styling. We’ve always shared a love of personal style, design and creating pieces that make you feel like the best version of yourself.
How did Capiaghi Summer begin?
Capiaghi Summer really began with our friendship. We met around six years ago at a festival, when Chloe was 21 and Jana was 18 and bonded instantly over fashion, festivals and our dreams of working in the industry. Fashion was never just a hobby for either of us; it always felt like the plan. When we realised we had such similar tastes and ambition, building something together just made sense.
Instead of waiting for the right opportunity, we decided to create one ourselves. Like any new brand, there were definitely challenges early on. Bringing our ideas to life took patience but we’ve always cared more about doing something properly than rushing it.
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What are you hoping to communicate through Capiaghi Summer? Has this evolved since you first launched?
We want to communicate that fashion should feel intentional, that quality and thoughtfulness actually matter. In the beginning, we were creating the pieces we felt were missing from our own wardrobes. But it’s evolved into something bigger. Now it’s about building a community of women who get it, who understand that one exceptional piece can change how you feel. It’s not just about making products anymore; it’s about connecting with people whose values are aligned with ours.
How would you describe the label’s aesthetic to someone discovering it for the first time?
Capiaghi Summer is for women who understand that the right piece changes everything. It’s bold, feminine and effortless. There’s an ease to it, the kind of confidence that doesn’t need to try too hard. A Capiaghi Summer piece has the power to elevate a simple outfit into something that feels considered, intentional and your own.
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What inspires you most when you’re designing?
Travel, texture, vintage pieces, ’90s runways and our own crazy ideas. We design what we genuinely feel is missing from our own wardrobes. If we’re not obsessed with it ourselves, we won’t release it. That’s what keeps our brand DNA authentic.
What does a slow fashion approach look like for you?
Slow fashion was never something we had to sit down and decide would be our angle – it felt inherent. We’ve always been drawn to pieces that feel considered, the kind of things you keep for years, not just one season. From the beginning, we cared more about how something was made than how quickly we could produce it. For us, that means thoughtful design, smaller production runs and taking the time to refine each piece properly before releasing it.
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You work primarily with leather. What drew you to focus on this material and what are the benefits and challenges in using it?
We love leather because it has so much character. It feels timeless, durable and only gets better with wear. The challenge is that every hide is different – there’s far more to working with leather than most people realise.
Each piece carries its own markings, texture and feel, which means no two are ever completely the same. But that’s what makes it beautiful and gives every design its own personality. It’s why we’re so considered about the leather we choose and how we work with it.
What are you most proud of in your work on Capiaghi Summer so far?
Coachella was one of our proudest moments! Watching our pieces on some of our favourite creators at such an iconic festival meant everything. The beautiful thing is how naturally Capiaghi Summer has connected with festival culture.
Looking back, it makes complete sense: we met at a festival, built this brand on that shared involvement in that world and now our pieces are being worn in those same moments. It’s a full circle we didn’t anticipate but one that feels exactly right.
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The label just turned one, congratulations! Where are your hopes for Capiaghi Summer over the next five years?
Thank you! Capiaghi Summer started with accessories and they’ll always be at the heart of what we do. But watching our customers style our pieces has shown us the full potential of our vision and we’re finally ready to bring it to life. Moving into ready-to-wear feels like the natural next chapter. The idea of someone wearing Capiaghi Summer from head to toe and building an entire wardrobe with us has been on our minds since day one.
We’re working on expanding our range into new categories, experimenting with new materials and building a strong team. We see ourselves growing internationally, with pop-ups overseas, stocking in iconic boutiques and eventually opening our own retail space where we can bring the full Capiaghi Summer vision to life.
Where can people buy your pieces?
You can shop Capiaghi Summer online.
Keep up with Capiaghi Summer here.
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