Tucked away in a Milanese courtyard sits Maria La Rosa, the atelier with more than 30 years behind it. Although founded by Maria, it became a family affair just over a decade ago when she introduced daughters Alice and Lisa into the ever-evolving story. From their workshops dotted across northern Italy, their expert craftspeople specialise in different techniques, including knitting, laminating and embroidery – all carried out by hand. Speaking of the feeling their socks convey, they describe it as “classic with a twist”; and while the materiality satisfies the former, which is always the finest quality wool, cashmere and silk, the latter comes in the form of unexpected features, such as rhinestone embellishments, bold stripes and larger-than-life colour palettes.