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How did I end up on a whirlwind four-day trip to Turin (or Torino) Italy? It all started in 2020 when I discovered Marta Scarampi, an Italian “slow fashion” brand that specializes in capes and luxury workwear. Marta Scarampi – both the brand and the designer and founder – prides itself on creating every piece made-to-order in its atelier, hence the “slow fashion” label.

Fast forward almost three years and Marta Scarampi and her sister and business partner Lucia, invited me to visit Torino and their atelier to experience how the elegance of Torino is reflected in Marta’s designs, and how the region’s “slow food” culture is echoed in the brand’s ethos.

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In Torino, Italy, by the Marta Scarampi atelier, wearing The Rachel Cape.

Torino Day 1

My first time meeting Marta was at the airport where she met me outside international arrivals. I could instantly tell we were going to get along famously. We hopped in her adorable yellow car and chatted the entire hour and a half ride from Milan to Torino. Marta took me straight to the beautiful Opera35 Hotel where I would stay, right across the Via della Rocca from the Marta Scarampi atelier.

We enjoyed a light lunch of sandwiches, fruit, and coffee on the hotel’s patio, and then parted ways so I could freshen up. After a brief rest and a shower, I ventured out to the atelier to meet Marta’s team and see the space where all the magic happens!

At the Opera35 Hotel Torino, wearing The Zoe Knit Poncho.

Marta has several full-time employees as well as a couple interns. Together they craft every Marta Scarampi piece by hand. The atelier has a showroom, pattern-making area, sewing stations, business/operations center, and a lounge area for the team. I was so impressed by the space and the extensive archives of Marta’s designs over the years! You can watch our full live tour here.

In the evening, Marta took me around downtown on foot to help give me the lay of the land. We walked from the atelier on Via Giuseppe Mazzini down to the Piazza San Carlo, where we stopped by the brass Il Toro (The Bull) inset in brass in the walkway, where it’s tradition to step on the bull’s balls for good luck. 

Afterwards, we had dinner at the elegant and modern NH Collection Santo Stefano Restaurant just off the Piazza. Marta ordered some traditional dishes for us to share together, including vitello tonnato, a thinly sliced veal with thick sauce made from tuna and capers, and ubiquitous menu item anchovies and butter on bread (yum). I had pasta with seasonal mushrooms for my main course, and a chocolate tart for dessert. Full and exhausted, we walked back to the hotel and I turned in for the night.

By the River Po, wearing The Sophie Cape.

Torino Day 2

I woke up early to the sound of light rain. Thankfully the hotel room included a Nespresso which I made good use of as I got ready for the day. Downstairs, the hotel provided a through, if carb heavy, breakfast.

After meeting Marta and her team at the atelier, we packed up a few looks and started exploring the city, Fall collection in tow (see our live reveal here). We started a few blocks away at the River Po, where the rain created a romantic fog over the hills on the opposite bank. We walked down to the Ponte Umberto I, and strolled through the lovely Parco del Valentino, which Marta described as Torino’s Central Park. 

In the Parco del Valentino with Marta Scarampi wearing matching Martina Vests.

Looping back to the atelier, we stopped for a long lunch at Pepe, a cozy cafe on the Piazza Maria Teresa and one of Marta’s favorites. After lunch, I took a leisurely stroll to the Palazzo Madama, Turin’s Royal Gardens, and the beautiful nearby Piazza Carignano.

That evening we opted for apertivo (Italian happy hour – really heavy apps at American dinner time) at Luogo Divino Wine Bistrot. Here, Marta introduced me to Campari spritz – more botanical and bitter than Aperol spritz – and I had the best anchovies on buttered toast with a hint of lime zest.

Torino Day 3

I let myself sleep in a little before walking to several points of interest around the city, from the Mole Antonelliana, an iconic building that houses the national cinema museum, to the Chiesa di San Massimo and Piazza Castello.

Marta and I met up for a light lunch and more Campari spritzes at a little cafe, and then walked around the Centro neighborhood together. We stopped at the iconic Café Al Bicerin on the Piazza della Consolata for the city’s signature mocha drink – hot chocolate, espresso, spices, and a cold cream float. It was worth the long line!

Wearing The Veronica Vest with faux fur trim.

I popped into the Santuario della Consolata across the square which had a beautiful ceiling, and then we walked to the Portone del Diavolo (Devil’s door, or Gates of Hell). Legend has it that the door sprang into existence mysteriously. It’s a beautiful door with carvings of flowers and animals, with a demon-shaped knocker that has two snakes entwined in its mouth. Our last stop was the beautiful Fontana Angelica (the Angelic Fountain) on the Piazza Solferino, which depicts the four seasons.

In the evening, Marta and I parted ways and I indulged myself in a little shopping. Pro tip – shopping Italian brands in Italy (versus buying them in the US) can save you a ton of money. I popped into Max Mara and snagged a beautiful double-faced wool coat for $645 – which, as I checked online, would have set me back $1,590 back home. Yikes! And that was before the $75 VAT refund I scored at the airport. To qualify, don’t forget to take your passport shopping with you, as retailers will need to log it in order to issue your VAT refund paperwork.

Torino Day 4

On my final full day in the Piedmont, Marta took me an hour south to the village of Barolo, where Italy’s famous Barolo wines hail from. It was a busy Sunday in wine country and we parked on the street about a half mile from the center of the village. We walked up to the town’s castle and took in the sight of the misty hills below us. Next to the castle, we noticed the quaint Petti’t Bistrot with its gorgeous hillside views of the countryside below. The menu lured us in and we enjoyed a rich lunch of thinly sliced beef tongue with pickled shallots, a terrific cheese plate, creamy gnocchi, and of course a few glasses of Barolo.

That evening back in the city, Marta took me out for a delicious last dinner at Madama Piola, a restaurant that specializes in Piedmontese cuisine. We split pickled vegetables and a plate of salami (as I learned – pepperoni in Italian means peppers! Whereas what we think of in the US as pepperoni is salami). For our main courses, we both had lamb-filled ravioli, and I couldn’t help ordering the zabaglione and cookies for dessert.

Wearing The Sara Eco-Leather Midi Skirt and The Giulia Cape.

My first trip to Italy was certainly a whirlwind – or a “Taste of Turin” – but it couldn’t have been more memorable. Thank you to Marta Scarampi and the team for having me – I can’t wait to come back again soon!

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