By Julia Radovich
In a world where fashion often trades meaning for volume, Lomalab chooses silence.
Mounting quietly from Avellino, Vincenzo “Enzo” Alvino built more than a label – he created a space for intention.
In this intimate conversation with Vanity Teen, Enzo takes us from his early days in boutiques and street scenes to the studio’s measured rhythm.
Here, blanks speak, slow production becomes power, and clothing becomes a conversation – about patience, presence, and purpose.
Who were you — before all of this? What did life look like before Lomalab?
What were you missing that led you here?
I’ve been in this industry for over twenty years. I started young in a luxury boutique – from sales assistant to trade shows, fashion weeks, and buying trips. That’s when I knew I wanted to stay in this world, but with my own vision.
At the same time, I was living the streetwear culture deeply – through clubs, music, and scenes where real codes were born. When I came back to Avellino, I opened retail spaces focused on research and emerging brands.
But something was missing: a space for those starting from scratch. That’s how Lomalab was born.
Not long after I founded it, COVID hit – and from there, everything was uphill.
But I kept going.
Today, Lomalab is alive and structured, supporting people who want to build something real and consistent.
You’re building a brand from Avellino – not the typical fashion capital.
How does that shape the way you dream? What does ‘local’ mean to you?
What does ‘global’ feel like?
Avellino is the periphery. But it gives you roots. It teaches you identity and forces you to imagine what’s missing.
Local, to me, means substance. Global is vision.
Today the world is so interconnected that where you do it matters less than how.
Sure, it’s harder from here – but every step has a deeper taste.
You and your team — what’s the chemistry like?
I’m the founder. I built the team gradually – some people work remotely, others are part of the in-house production side.
We handle everything: production, communication, e-commerce, customer service.
We’re a small team with strong intent. No egos, just roles and focus.
You make ‘blanks’ – simple, quiet pieces. But choosing quiet is also a kind of loud. What does that decision mean for you?
Blanks were a clear, intentional choice. When we started, this type of product didn’t exist in Italy.
We believed in it early, with fits that weren’t easy to propose.
Silence, when done right, has weight. A blank gives space — it respects you. It doesn’t shout, but it has presence.
You talk about patience, slowness, calm. Is that just in the studio — or in life too?
Slowness is central to Lomalab. It’s the core of our Just In Time model, which we chose as a counter to fast fashion — a system we see as one of the industry’s real problems.
We’ve been producing one piece at a time for five years. It’s not easy to explain to customers, but it defines us.
It’s not just production – it’s a mindset.
Slowing down helps you see clearly, appreciate the path, and act with care.
Let’s talk fabric – real, physical stuff. What makes you fall in love with a material?
A fabric has to feel right in my hands – even before the fit. It must give balance and help us reach the result we want.
From the first piece we made, this has always been our approach.
In blanks, the fit is everything. It’s what turns the garment into an experience.
People choose Lomalab because our pieces speak — without needing to shout.
Sustainability is everywhere now – but often without weight. What does it truly mean to you?
To us, sustainability means doing less, but better.
Avoiding waste, optimizing materials, producing only what’s needed.
We don’t use the word as decoration. We live it through action.
It’s slower, but it’s the only way we believe in.
You’ve helped other brands grow — that’s rare. Why do you do that? What have you learned from it?
Because I saw right away that the system wasn’t built for newcomers.
Many had ideas, but no support structure. We offered them space and expertise.
Some of those brands are now internationally positioned.
Helping others has taught me that giving doesn’t take away – it multiplies.
That same spirit inspired me to launch Lomalounge, a podcast | co-host with media page 035, where we share knowledge and real stories.
Who wears Lomalab – not in terms of size or gender, but energy, mood, desire?
Lomalab is for those looking for meaning in what they wear – not just logos.
Right now, we mostly speak to a younger audience, but we’re expanding. A kids line is on the way, to extend our vision to new generations.
People who choose Lomalab want neutral pieces with personality. They want to feel good without big labels.
I also believe some of them want to be part of a shift – towards slower, more conscious production.
You’ve just released a new drop. What’s the story behind it?
Every drop is an evolution.
We try to anticipate new codes and combine them with our language.
We start from what inspires us, refine it, and work deeply on fit and detail.
The goal is simple: that each piece feels considered, not rushed – and that it stays with you over time.
You’ve said this isn’t just a brand — it’s a kind of conversation. What are you hoping people hear when they wear your clothes?
I hope they feel free.
I hope they understand they don’t have to resemble anyone else.
Our clothes don’t impose – they align. They accompany.
A note to your future self. What do you want to remember? What do you want to forget?
I want to remember where I started. And the people who believed in me.
Especially my mother. She passed shortly after I founded the company. She’s always in my thoughts. She still guides every choice I make.
I want to forget the ones who judge too easily, and those who change and become what they’re not.
As for the future, I just hope it brings more freedom, more projects – and the chance to keep doing what I love. That alone is a huge privilege.
DISCOVER MORE HERE