Presenting The Apron Stories project – the next chapter in Starbucks House of Coffee
The iconic Starbucks apron became a canvas of expression, as four leading Milanese designers reinterpreted one of the brand’s most recognisable symbols
SStarbucks iconic green apron is one of its most recognisable brand symbols, worn by partners around the world since 1987. More than just part of the uniform, it represents the handcrafted expertise behind every drink and has become a quiet emblem of what makes Starbucks unique.
In 2026, however, aprons are stepping firmly into the world of fashion. The once humble garment has now emerged as a Spring/Summer trend, with Prada elevating it to the centrepiece of Miu Miu’s latest collection. Against this backdrop, Starbucks is reclaiming the attire in its own way- bringing the worlds of craft and creativity together through The Apron Project.
Blending the craft of fashion with the craft of coffee, The Apron Stories marks the next chapter of the House of Coffee project: a series of exclusive, custom-designed aprons created by Milan’s leading creatives, including Francesca Ragazzi, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue Italia; Carolina Castiglioni, founder and creative director of luxury brand Plan C; designer Sara Battaglia; and Institution’s Galib Gassanoff.
By reinterpreting the garment, each designer spotlights the apron’s many dimensions: its utilitarian function; its ties to domesticity, trade, and profession; its decorative potential; and, above all, its power as a canvas for personal and cultural expression.
Through this, Starbucks becomes a connector: linking global culture with local craftsmanship, established names with emerging talent, and the world of high fashion with the everyday rituals that shape contemporary life. Coffee remains Starbucks’ core, but the conversation surrounding it becomes richer, more layered, and gains new relevance.
Francesca Ragazzi, head of editorial content at Vogue Italia’s apron draws inspiration from meals at her family table – turning the feelings of community and connection into a wearable item. Each of the aprons is also unique – made from preloved fabrics and tablecloths – to combine creativity with the circular economy. Here, the apron becomes more than clothing: it carries the lived history of the materials it’s made from.
Carolina Castiglioni, founder and creative director of Plan C’s apron on the other hand leans into the apron as a work uniform, tying aesthetics with functionality. But as well as being an object of purpose, the apron also combines practicality with style, blurring the lines between dressing as a creative pursuit, and dressing as a necessity.
Sara Battaglia’s apron brings her own distinctive style to the table, complete with plissé discipline and bright red collar (signifying the fight against violence towards women in Italy). Sara has taken the Starbucks apron and applied her own signature statement design: slender silhouettes paired with bold, primary colours – including Starbucks statement green – to create an elegant, flattering apron for daily life, with a dash of extra romance and glamour.
Galib Gassanoff from Institution’s apron honours the apron’s role as a symbol of gathering – of shared meals, togetherness, and the intentional creation of a warm, welcoming environment. Stripped of colour, pattern, and slogan, it becomes a pure canvas for expression. The apron is the starting point, the facilitator of community and creativity, but the personal touch is all up to us.
