Veteran designer Chris Molnar unveils Cacio Pepe, a new menswear brand focusing on quality, sustainability, and minimalistic style.
Chris Molnar, a seasoned veteran in the menswear industry with an extensive background that includes stints at notable brands such as Michael Kors and John Varvatos, is launching a new men’s brand named Cacio Pepe. This initiative marks Molnar’s latest endeavor in a career that has been rooted in fashion and entrepreneurship over the past 25 years.
Cacio Pepe is being introduced as a “multidimensional lifestyle and essentials brand built on quality, transparency, positivity, and style,” according to Molnar, who previously co-founded the men’s premium basics brand Goodlife Clothing in 2014. The brand’s debut collection will consist of 50 stock keeping units (SKUs) that include knit essentials such as T-shirts, hoodies, and joggers, all manufactured in Los Angeles. The items will feature neutral colors and subtle branding, retailing from $75 to $195.
One of the standout features of Cacio Pepe’s launch is a partnership with Italian sustainable manufacturer ACBC. The collaboration will yield an eco-friendly sneaker crafted from bio-free leather, set to retail for $245. Molnar emphasizes that Cacio Pepe aims to stand out in a crowded market, stating, “It’s not just a ‘basics’ or essentials brand — there are tons of them launching every day.” He envisions Cacio Pepe as a versatile brand that will include not only essential basics but also seasonal prints, graphics, and footwear options.
The brand’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester. “I don’t like the word ‘sustainability.’ I prefer to call it a focus on conscious consumerism,” Molnar explained. He aims to differentiate Cacio Pepe through authenticity and transparency regarding sourcing and production, a contrast he believes is lacking in many brands today.
To further underline this commitment to circular fashion, Cacio Pepe is set to feature a capsule collection of repurposed vintage T-shirts branded as Second Chance. These will be hand-selected by Molnar and rebranded to reflect the brand’s ethos. Additionally, he is collaborating with a Los Angeles-based fabric mill that holds a significant inventory of deadstock fabric, enabling the creation of limited-run products with existing materials.
While Cacio Pepe will initially operate as an online business, Molnar is considering wholesale opportunities on a selective basis. He is currently raising capital through a pre-seed funding round and has enlisted Brian Mazza, a partner with experience in hospitality and wellness, who will contribute as a brand ambassador and help facilitate collaborations.
Upcoming initiatives include a vintage capsule collection with Henry Lehr to launch in the Hamptons this summer, a 5K run followed by a pasta dinner, collaborations with a New York City pizzeria, as well as partnerships with a beach club in Ibiza and a hospitality group in Mykonos. Furthermore, a pop-up event in Portofino, Italy, is scheduled for May, featuring products from ACBC.
The name “Cacio Pepe” is inspired by the classic Italian pasta dish, which symbolizes simplicity and enjoyment in life. Molnar explained that he modified the name for trademark purposes, noting that it reflects his vision of minimalistic yet meaningful offerings in the brand.
Despite his extensive experience and previous successes, particularly with Goodlife, which has transitioned to a new ownership while Molnar continues as a creative advisor, he remains passionate about the challenge of establishing Cacio Pepe. “I want to continue to make my own mark,” he stated. “I’m a creator and a builder at heart, and I need to do it again.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
