Manuela Cocci's design philosophy was shaped in Arezzo, a Renaissance city where she grew up surrounded by art and beauty. That constant exposure to elegance translated directly into her work—clean lines became her method of expression. She studied fashion and theatrical costume in high school, then graduated from Istituto Marangoni in 2000 with a fashion design degree. Her career began at Junichi Hakamaki Milano as assistant designer before moving to Versace, where she designed both menswear and womenswear. She simultaneously taught at Istituto Marangoni, using her industry experience to guide students through collection development, fashion illustration, and technical drawing.

She later became chief designer for Costume National womenswear and C'N'C womenswear. Leading her team, she was responsible for all C'N'C and Costume National women's collections—pre-collections, main collections, runway shows—plus organizing showroom presentations and coordinating with stylists. It was comprehensive oversight from concept through to market presentation.

This collaboration collection merges workwear with feminine shirting, incorporating sportswear details but using vintage-style striped ribbons—the kind you'd find decorating hats or lining Victorian jackets. She chose flowing fabrics with technical fiber blends. The contrast between historical references and contemporary materials creates what she describes as a subtle balance, where the body language feels harmonious. It's Renaissance sensibility meeting modern textile technology.