Ter et Bantine

Manuela Arcari

Born in Bologna, Italy, Manuela Arcari embodies a discreet and introspective figure in contemporary fashion.

With twelve years of experience in the ready-to-wear industry, she founded Ter et Bantine in 1992.

A house with a rigorous and refined aesthetic, imbued with sophisticated minimalism. At first glance, this approach—both cerebral and concrete—combines controlled austerity with touches of stylistic freedom.

Her creations are, above all, designed for women grounded in the realities of everyday life.

They prioritize precise cuts and a femininity liberated from excessive romanticism, subtly infused with influences from men’s tailoring.

In 2013, the designer took a decisive step by presenting her collections in New York, further solidifying her influence on the international scene and affirming her status as a designer. She remains deeply committed to a vision of fashion that is both pared-down and intrinsically connected to the reality of the body and garment.

Alternating between sensuality and androgyny, classicism and ethnic inspirations, her silhouettes are both bold and effortlessly nonchalant. Offering a subtle balance between sophistication and ease.

Moreover, Manuela Arcari weaves subtle references to the Far East throughout her collection, infusing her silhouettes with a graphic yet refined dimension. These influences, far from being overt, blend seamlessly into the DNA of Ter et Bantine.

Thus, she creates a harmonious dialogue with the house’s emblematic pieces, such as the pinstriped men’s suit, a perfect embodiment of androgynous elegance, or the jacquard shirt dress, whose studied rigidity reaffirms the strength of a fashion rooted in structure and intent.

This studied rigidity reaffirms the strength of a fashion deeply anchored in structure and intention.