The Italian empresaria Carla Sersale was born in Milan, and over the years, has brought her charm and discerning eye to the world of Le Sirenuse in Positano. After meeting her now-husband, Antonio, in New York City in her thirties and moving to the Amalfi Coast to assist in helming his family’s hotel, she’s expertly curated artisan-made products for the hotel’s boutique, Emporio Sirenuse. It aims to bring, as its tagline insinuates, “Positano to the world.”
Positano, courtesy of Le Sirenuse.
Her fashion label and home company with the same name has since followed, filled with items fit to vacationing perfection—from caftans and cabana pants to blouses, skirts, and irresistible sets. Run alongside her niece, Viola Parrocchetti, the resortwear line embraces a romantic Mediterranean palette with bespoke embroidery, heritage materials, and a focus on artistic collaborations. Today, it’s sold in 80 international spaces.
Emporio Sirenuse Spring/Summer 2025, photo by Lukasz Pukowiec, courtesy of Emporio Sirenuse.
Partnerships for both the boutique and the fashion label have seen items co-crated with artists like Louis Barthelémy and Angela Hicks, as well as brands like Comme Si, Tombolo, and Koio. Most recently, tabletop collections and items for the home include “By the Pool,” featuring dishware with six playful drawings created by Cornish artist Lucy Stein; and pillow and plates in “Suzani” that honor Central Asian Suzani techniques. The latter is seen dotting the sun-drenched tables and terraces at Le Sirenuse. Currently, Emporio Sirenuse’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection named “Morning Sun” is available.
Courtesy of Le Sirenuse.
As Sersale splits her seasonal time between Positano and Milan, Whitewall spoke with her in celebration of Milan Design Week about where to get lost in art, architecture, design, and more.
Courtesy of Carla Sersale.
Aldo’s Bar, courtesy of Le Sirenuse.
WHITEWALL: Where is the best spot to find inspiration in Milan?
CARLA SERSALE: My sister’s Laboratorio Paravicini, where magic is made on hand-painted ceramic plates that are so thin to resemble porcelain.
“Magic is made on hand-painted ceramic plates…”
—Carla Sersale
WW: Where is your favorite off-the-beaten path to see art in Milan?
CS: Galerie Gregor Staiger—a gallery based in Zurich, opened on via Rossini 3 in Milan, inside the most charming courtyard—in a small space with a huge window opening to a very large tree.
Emporio Sirenuse Spring/Summer 2025 “Suzani” plate, photo by Lukasz Pukowiec, courtesy of Emporio Sirenuse.
Emporio Sirenuse Spring/Summer 2025, photo by Lukasz Pukowiec, courtesy of Emporio Sirenuse.
WW: What’s the best-kept secret in Milan?
CS: The Fondazione Achille Castiglioni celebrates the life and work of one of the most famous architects from Italy. Achille was born in 1918 and died in 2002 in Milan and he designed some of the most successful pieces of furniture and lamps still used in all the houses we know. His heritage is celebrated at the Fondazione, and you can visit it in Piazza Castello in Milan. Achille’s daughter, Monica, is an artist and jeweler herself. Her store, at l’Isola in Milan, sells her incredible designs in bronze or silver. They’re also sold at my store in Positano!
“He designed some of the most successful pieces of furniture…”
—Carla Sersale
Insider Carla Sersale’s Best of Milan
1. Laboratorio Paravicini
Laboratorio Paravicini, photo by Graziano-Panfili.
“A story of excellence in hand-decorated ceramics: Laboratorio Paravicini interprets high Italian craftsmanship tradition by reinterpreting its language in a contemporary key. The result is a variety of collections of plates and tableware with distinct characteristics, the development of careful research and experimentation, and an innate ability to evolve.” via Laboratorio Paravicini.
2. Galerie Gregor Staiger
Galerie Gregor Staiger, courtesy of Art Basel.
“Galerie Gregor Staiger was founded in 2010 with a focus on emerging Swiss and international contemporary art across a variety of media. The gallery hosts five to six exhibitions per year comprising solo presentations by represented artists, curated group shows, experimental projects with young emerging artists as well as performances. Since the beginning, the gallery program has emphasized the representation of women artists, performance, feminist discourse and figurative practices. Since 2020, in addition to regular gallery programming in Zurich, the gallery keeps a presence in Milan. The gallery regularly participates at international art fairs and gallery share initiatives. Galerie Gregor Staiger is a co-founder of Paris Internationale, a non-profit fair aiming to provide a sustainable platform for emerging art, as well as a founding member of the Zurich Art Weekend.” via Art Basel
3. Fondazione Achille Castiglioni
Courtesy of Fondazione Achille Castiglioni.
“In January 2006, Achille Castiglioni’s heirs signed a five-year agreement with the Milan Triennale so that the Studio Museo Achille Castiglioni could be opened to the public and continue its complex archive work. Given the public success of these years, more than 40,000 visitors (2014), the Castiglioni family wanted to continue sharing with visitors, the place and the stories it holds. For this reason and to develop the many projects in which the Studio Museo is involved, the Fondazione Achille Castiglioni was born on 14 December 2011. The Foundation’s main purpose is to catalogue, order, archive and digitise the projects, drawings, photos, models, films, conferences, objects, books, magazines, in short, the entire world in which Achille worked during more than 60 years of activity, first with his brother Pier Giacomo, then from 1968 onwards, alone. This work was started thanks to the help of the Studio’s historical collaborators and is now followed by Antonella Gornati who worked closely with Achille Castiglioni for more than 20 years. Preserving all this heritage in a modern way means cataloging it, telling it and sharing it with the widest public. At the same time, the Foundation at the Studio Museum from Tuesday to Saturday (from 10 am to 1 pm) organizes guided tours aimed at both individuals and groups.” via Brera Design District
