What was your first project?
My first real project with clothing was a men’s underwear collection; it was one of the projects required to graduate from the Design Academy. I initially graduated there, then decided to study Fashion Design.
The creative process: do you work instinctively or plan every single step? Where do your ideas come from?
My process often evolves organically, but since last year I have been working on a UNIFORM to propose a look, so it is important that I document the various stages of the process, as it is vital for the development of the garments. So, at the moment, I am working in different ways. I always start from an idea of a silhouette I want to create, which in turn is influenced by vintage pieces in my archive and my personal preferences at the moment. I research the image and atmosphere I want the look to convey and then draft the patterns or rework patterns I had previously created.
What did you think when Berto contacted you?
I actually discovered Berto at Denim Days in Amsterdam, when I had a bag brand. I was looking for different materials to make them. Over the last two years my brand has changed considerably, so I have not yet been able to fully experiment with denim as I would like. I had never made bags with denim and it felt more natural to use it to make clothes. I started creating deluxe denim patterns, but my bag brand kept me from focusing entirely on clothing. At the end of last year I decided to put the bags aside and focus on apparel, so for summer 2018 I was able to dive into using denim for the UNIFORM.
Which Berto fabrics have you worked with for your project and collections?
I made the first patterns using Rock-Me Air One, Globe Sky, and Dandy Blue One.
What do you consider the most significant aspect of Berto for Talents? What goals have you been able to achieve through this program?
It is incredible to be able to order small quantities at a reasonable price, and I greatly appreciated their genuine interest and openness toward small designers. I think Berto’s openness to me as a designer is truly valuable. I often spoke with Arianna, who listened with sincere interest. When you are a small company, it is hard to find suppliers who take you seriously, so I think this is a huge strength of Berto! Being able to experiment with fabrics, talk about them, and order more is priceless.
“Less but better” can be interpreted as an endorsement of a certain degree of purity in design and fashion design. It can also be understood as an environmental message about reduction and sustainability. What are your thoughts on this?
I fully agree with this message, and this is how I work. The idea of a UNIFORM is the result of all the years I spent creating garments that I wore myself. It is an ongoing process. Having a bag brand with my brother made me realize my priorities even more, and the need to put greater emphasis on this. Not to mention the invaluable work experience it gave me. What pushed me to consider denim for the bags was my refusal to use leather any longer. I am vegan and try to live as responsibly as possible, which I think is essential nowadays. Things must change. We designers, in particular, should feel responsible for raising awareness, making people conscious of what they buy and why.
Is there something you’ve never done that you’d like to accomplish?
It is time to put the UNIFORM online, and I would like to carry the project forward. This also means working with Berto’s denim, including models of different sizes and ages, and always creating according to my ideals, making people aware of what they are purchasing. It would be fantastic to work with new fabrics, such as a silky material, without harming animals.
