A confident Didone serif from MNKY Type's New York–Chamonix studio, drawing on Walbaum and Bodoni with sturdy romans and notably flamboyant italics aimed at decorative editorial work.
About
Elsa is a high-contrast serif in the Didone tradition, developed over several years from an initial Walbaum study into something that also absorbs Bodoni, Didot and early-twentieth-century references such as Columbia-Antigua. Four roman weights read with composure at text sizes, while the italics are drawn with enough ornamentation to hold their own as display cuts. It suits editorial and branding contexts where classical authority and some decorative flair are both wanted.
Classification
High-contrast Didone serif drawing directly from Walbaum and Bodoni, with a first sketch dating to around 2018. The design departs from a straight Walbaum revival to pull in Didot and Bodoni details alongside early-twentieth-century references including Columbia-Antigua and Berthold's Augustea. Sturdy serifs carry the romans; the italics are markedly expressive.