Archivi tag: accessories

Fashion Designer, Made in Italy

FROM OWL

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  “Your dream should be to create a new product, to express a new philosophy, to stimulate the mind of the people, to be able to bring innovation”

 

Let’s start talking about you, who are you, when did you decide to work together and to create From Owl?

I am Alberto Ziveri. Born in Parma in 1994 and now studying in Milan at Bocconi University. Filippo Tommasini is the co-founder of the From Owl with me, and we’re friends from childhood.

It all started back in 2013 when we both decided to start printing some designs we made together with Marco Gherri (Filippo’s cousin) on some t-shirts. We made 60 t-shirts and sold them all. Since that moment we understood we could make something more sophisticated, with the help of other friends who became part of the team eventually: Luca Rovelli, Luciana dal Zio, Lorenzo Maestri, Luca Marocchi and Matteo Costa.

How did you begin and where does your passion come from?

We started in the summer 2014 to learn about the process, we bought the first textiles and focused on the first ideas.

What it is important to say is that we’re not fashion designers, we’re economics students with several passions (sports, web design, photography, fashion and innovation), but practically we are not able to design as a normal skilled designer. We just brainstorm new ideas and work with our team to develop them. That’s probably our advantage: we gather ideas from our ignorance without being limited by “design dogmas”. We are very passionated about products and innovation.

Difficulties  encountered to manage the business?

There are lots of difficulties, but that is part of the game. If it was too easy, it wouldn’t be challenging. I could list shortly some of the most challenging ones:

– Creating a product that can both satisfy the team, but also your target. Creating a product whose message can be efficiently communicated and can be profitable. Sometimes we create products which are extremely beautiful, innovative, but we make mistakes in how to communicating the message. Or worse, sometimes the message is clear but not positively perceived by the customers and, consequently, they become not profitable.  To overcome these difficulties you need experience, skills but also “instinct”.
– To create perfect products when you have a low budget. Our time and resources are limited hence we can’t make everything we want in an excellent way. So it’s extremely difficult to not make compromises when you should be forced to make them.
– Communicate our philosophy in order to convince people to prefer From Owl. We would like people to understand that it’s better to buy 1 Owl product rather than 4 H&M items. It’s part of our mission to teach to customers how is possible to make more responsible purchase choices.

– To find the right suppliers. It’s the most boring activity but the most important one. We contacted over 300 potential suppliers in two years, and worked with just 20 of them. It’s very hard to find the perfect supplier.

What would you say to somebody who has a dream like yours?

Don’t start a brand/company just to produce clothes or  for the sake of earning pennies. Nowadays everyone can make a t-shirt. There’s a lot of superficiality when starting a brand. The true difference between an original brand and a superficial one stays in differentiation so… Your dream should be to create a new product, to express a new philosophy, to stimulate the mind of the people, to be able to bring innovation…“making clothes” is not enough.

I can see hundreds of brands making a printed tee and giving them to football players in the old school way, I would feel very sad if I had to make things other people have already done. However, this my own perspective.

From Owl is not a famous brand yet, and I certainly still don’t have the “privilege” to deliver advices to other people: I’ve still have a lot to learn. What I’ve done till now is just following the instinct with ideas and skills.

Do you have a place/city in which you feel more inspired and why?

London, Cape Town, Los Angeles, Lofoten Islands. They are all inspiring cities because of their landscapes, colors, the citizens’ way of living. But our first source of inspiration is Parma: our hills, our philosophy, the excellence of our companies (Barilla, Parmalat, Rosa dell’Angelo).

How do you communicate with the world/ how do you concretely express yourself?

Videos, photos, stories. We communicate with the world with these three vehicles and through years we learnt a lot about video making and photography. But, as always, you can’t have skills without ideas, that’s why when we make a video it’s not really important how we make it, but it’s fundamental what idea we want to express.

What makes your brand different?

We think we’re different from other startups for several reasons, starting from our “unique” set of skills we have: from management to photography, design and web design, which hardly you will find in one team (many of the clothing companies outsource at least one of those activities). A second reason is that we have a philosophy: we want to express emotions, to connect clothes to stories. The third reason is about quality, since profitability is not our main goal, we don’t make compromises: we always strive for perfection and we work with companies which are used to work with famous luxury companies. Our idea is precise and it is getting even more sophisticated the more we work.

Projects for the future.

We have a big mission in mind to make From Owl an international popular brand, how? With the products we’re working on, with the clear communication, with the right prices and durable quality. We strive for this goal, but we’re aware and ready to fail and learn.

Ready to shop now? Their Online Shop is waiting for your visit here at  www.fromowl.com 

You can also follow their adventures and their trips around the globe here: From Owl Facebook Fan Page

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VeroniqueCreazioni

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“I would give a little advice to the many people who in recent years have asked me the secret of my business… It’s only one and very simple: to love what you create, as if you were creating for yourself, never for the profit that could be behind it. From things made with love always derive a special light.”

 

Who is Veronica, the creative brain behind this brand?

It is not easy to define myself in a few sentences… Let’s say that as most of the people I am made up of many facets, there is definitely a strong creative side, which coexists with another who loves psychology and the symbolic world. Surely I am a person who can not live away by his passions, which are art, psychology, sea and cats! 😀

The first crazy thing about you is that you studied psychology. How it matches with your current activity?!

As I mentioned above, my soul is divided between two great loves, which compensate and that integrate each other: a more creative and intuitive side, and one who likes to devote himself to the welfare of others, and I hope of being able to always carry both of them on like I’m doing now, because doing a job that I love is a great fortune, even more if they are two! Surely there are moments of fatigue, but I have a strong motivation that comes from the fact that I love what I do, and I feel realized in carry it forward!

VeroniqueCreazioni, how did you get the idea and why?

The beginning of the deepening of my artistic side arised during many years of personal therapy, essential for the formation of a good psychotherapist. I never thought that this would become a real business, I started because of pure passion, and yet here I am, six years later, surrounded by many people who appreciate my work and many loyal customers. I experienced cyclically many types of art, from polymer clay and decoupage to knitting wool, but after discovering the world of textile jewels, two years ago, I devoted my work almost exclusively to that. It’s never a rational decision.

Like most of artists, I follow the inspiration of the moment.

How did people and family react to your decision to cultivate this passion?

My loved ones have always supported and encouraged my artistic expressions, and have always been a great support for me!

Your biggest satisfaction / regret

My greatest satisfaction, as I mentioned before, it is to have the enormous satisfaction of doing two jobs that I love, and because of that, I have no regrets at the moment 🙂

Projects for your future 🙂

My artistic nature does not fit with making great programs for the future, however, let us say that I like to imagine of being able to devote half of the week to my artistic work, and the other half to my patients, and I am working in that direction 🙂
To conclude, I would give a little advice to the many people who in recent years have asked me the secret of my business… It’s only one and very simple: to love what you create, as if you were creating for itself, never for the profit that could be behind it. From things made with love always derive a special light.

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L’ATLANTE DEI BOTTONI

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“Take life lightly, for lightness is not superficiality, but gliding above things, not having weights on your heart.“

 

My name is Silvia, I’ m 27 and I am native of Samassi, a small village in Sardinia, although I‘ve been living in Cagliari for several years. For about a year and a half, my partner Francesco and I created a little brand called “L’atlante dei Bottoni” (The Atlas of buttons). We take care of giving life to new and different materials, especially old paper, which are perceived by many people as trash, that is why they are usually thrown away, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias and school books.
I always thought that my life’s work would have been in the historical archives, since years ago I dreamed of handling historical paper materials, and doing field research. I never thought that the way out of my impending degree in literature would be this. My passion for everything that concerns the past and the Italian language lead me to take this path now. It monopolizes all my time and gives me many satisfactions.

Where your passion / your work come from?

My passion and then my work comes out of this innate love which I feel for the past, and the way of understanding the world from people who lived in a different epoch, with eyes and a vision of things different from today.
When I happen to find definitions for words that are explained differently from our current vocabulary, or when I find words in our language that no longer exist I shudder, because it is a unique feeling and I’m so happy. I also hope that I am able to convey this feeling to all who see my work.
Another important aspect is the love I have for the Italian language, and what it represents to me that is often abused and used in a wrong way. My intention is precisely placing it at the heart, giving her the importance that it deserves. During the various exhibitions I meet people who understand my art, who are passionate and read with pleasure what is inside the various accessories. I am happy because in that moment I feel I’ve reached my goal.

Your most important achievement so far.

My biggest goal is to be able to turn one passion into a real job, I know it’s a privilege and I’m immensely proud of it. Luckily so far I have not had great disappointment. The only small exception would be when I realize that people find it hard to see the difference between craft-trade and industrial products, therefore they can’t really appreciate all that is behind the uniqueness of a product made manually by a person.

Where do you produce? 

I produce at home. I use a room as laboratory, and I often lock myself in for hours, listening a lot of music, writing, designing and slowly the ideas crop up. Sometimes I go to flea markets where oftentimes I find very often inspiration and materials that I can used for my works.

Do you have a kind of mantra to help you through rough times?

Not exactly. I have a quite particular character, I would say that I can handle myself better when in difficulty and under pressure. It may seem strange, but for me it was always been like this. Difficulties make me more productive, so much that on days when nothing seems to go in the right direction, in my opinion I can create the most beautiful pieces of my collections. In those moments, however, I tell myself that “It can be definitely worse than that” and then I see everything in a lighter and more approachable way.

Future projects?!

My project is to grow more and more, to continue to evolve and improve in every aspect and detail. Finding new ideas to develop and succeed in bringing our work beyond the boundaries of Sardinia. Last year we were able to participate at the International Handicrafts Trade Fair in Florence: we hope to have more of such experiences, because besides being really satisfactory, they are also a good way to keep an open mind and to meet different and exciting people.

How to face life and work?

Calmly and above all keeping in touch with reality. I am aware that as things can be great one moment, they can suddenly change for the worse. However, continued effort must be required and it’s important to give consistency to things in order to retain a balance.

There is a phrase from Italo Calvino (an important italian writer) that could answer this question perfectly: “Take life lightly, for lightness is not superficiality, but gliding above things, not having weights on your heart“.

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Lamerti

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“So over time I’ve learned to take everything very lightly, not to be afraid of the bank account, and to have much confidence in the future. I think that there is no better good luck charm then his will combined with calm and wisdom, but with a bit of madness please, because otherwise would be boring!”

 

Martina is my name, I am 29 years old and I am born in Sardinia, in Cagliari, but I live far away from it since many years. This helps me to think abou it in a romantic and blurry way.

I live and work in Paris! Do you know the kind of stereotype about Parisian fashion designers?! Okay, I am exactly the opposite! No events, no public relations. I’m actually a very simple person, I like to do my job in peace, I like to have lots of free time to recharge creative inspiration, walk, go to markets, drinking beers at the bar with friends, eat and read.

How did your passion start?

I already had an education in tailoring and a passion for fashion and accessories. I already created  jewelry but very different from what I do now. One day I met a talented stained glass artist in a garden. At that point, it became easy to understand what my future would be.

Why flowers?

Because they touch me, simply. Their delicacy, their shapes and their colors, their perfection and their imperfections they move me to emotions, surprise me and stimulate my creativity.

What are your future goals?

My biggest goal is to work on the same project that I started five years ago, to improve myself exponentially every day in my work, to work every day with greater passion.
Certainly the path of creativeness is very difficult, many doors were slammed in my face and I’ve received a fair amount of scams and disappointments… For the moment I do not give anyone the opportunity to be a disappointment of my life!

Last year you made a crowdfunding to support your ativity, tell us how it was!

It was hard but it went well! Finding out how many people love what I do and believe in me gave me an amazing energy and motivation but I am not done yet, I am now looking for a space – which is not an easy undertaking, but I promise I’ll make it very soon!

In the morning you wake up… what is usually the first thought?!

Coffee! 🙂 I swear, usually my job doesn’t make me lose sleep, and even if I woke up and already a few minutes later I start to respond to mails and organize my working day, I do not want my commitments to disturb my good habits. That’s why I start with a nourishing breakfast before I go crazy with productions, sponsorships, customers, shipments etc.

Is there a phrase that you repeat like a mantra when you are in trouble or to get through?!

😀 I can not say it!

Cagliari, Rome, Paris … how you came there, and above all, what are you looking for?

I was born in Cagliari, ended up in Rome to escape from the isolated Sardinia that seemed suffocating to me when I was only 19. It simply happened by taking a ferry, the most common way to get to the “continent”, and I chose Paris instead in a more logical way, because as I became older, new needs arose in my life. I wanted to live in a functional and beautiful city, full of incentives. I wanted to change the country and try a different kind of society. I do not know where I’m going, but I know that I have a great need for “home” and even if I moved several times, every time I wish to have some stability, and therefore I do not want to live with the projection of a future change. Who knows, maybe I will have a workshop in New York in twenty years!

How do you face life and work?

We should ask those who stand by me how do I deal with them!
I think that living peacefully when doing my job is very difficult, you never have an economic stability. Many times I make investments that are not entirely useful, and I never exactly know what are the right steps to take, so over time I’ve learned to take everything very lightly, not to be afraid of the bank account, and to have much confidence in the future. I think that there is no better good luck charm then his will combined with calm and wisdom, but with a bit of madness please, because otherwise would be boring!

Discover the magic of Martina’s creations here:

LAMERTI

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Mariposa Bijoux

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“Behind all this there is so much passion, determination, optimism, patience… but also many privations…”

 

“My name is Incoronata and I am a Designer, Milliner, and dressmaker!

I come from a small town located in the north of the beautiful Apulia named Manfredonia and I am the second of four daughters.

For 3 years I have lived in one of the most beautiful islands of the Canaries (Spain), precisely in Tenerife. 4 years ago I was on holiday with my lover and I fell madly in love with this fantastic place. It is always spring here, and this a great advantage for me and my creations because it means that I can sell them in flea markets and in luxury hotels all year round!

In fact, thanks to the markets, I have known a lot of people all around the world who contacted me on on our FB page, even after the purchase was made in person. I ships to Germany, England, Belgium and North to South Italy. My passion started from the age of 10… At that point I learned to sew from my neighbour… I loved to create clothes for my dolls and to organize fashion shows with my small friends. Art is a gift of my family… My father is a craftsman and my mother is a housewife, but above all a great cook; she makes great cakes, a skill that she passed on to my sister who is now a pastry chef and works as cake designer for “Le Delizie di Amerilde”.

She already won various competitions, including the “Cake Design Italian Festival” in Milan!

Back to me, the idea of ​​creating jewelry was born in 2003 when I was preparing my first show with Stil Daunia Fashion, organized by the Artisan Association Manfredonia. I showcased my clothes and accessories under the theme “A dress for every occasion” and I came in fourth place. Then two years later I opened my atelier called “Art and Fashion”, which was selling designer fabrics of the most prominent Italian and international fashion brands. The best sellers were chantilly laces embroidered with precious stones and printed silks. I drew and customized outfits and bridal gowns, all with accessories like Swarovski jewelry, and decorated bags and shoes!

I was really famous and everyone knew them, people came from far away to buy them…

In 2006 I participated in the same competition for the second time, and came in second place with the theme “20’s” presenting clothes and accessories including bags, all made by me. I already taught myself in the past to create jewelry.

Today I use the technique of soutaches, after seeing a pair of earrings a girlfriend wore.

In November 2013 I created my first jewelry line and created a Facebook page. Swiftly it became a success, all thanks to the collaboration of friends and family who liked my page. Facebook was an exceptional showcase and it hasn’t stopped since then! Today I can say that this “my biggest goal”.

In only 3 years I created this small workshop of jewelry; unique and original in their style, refined, elegant and created with precious materials such as beads of Tenerife, Swarovski, igneous stones, and rhinestones.

Behind all this there is so much passion, determination, optimism, patience… but also many privations… often I do early hours to satisfy all the demands of customers, especially in the period of the year between May to September where there are many ceremonies and parties.

I produce at home on a very big table, bigger than the one where I eat! Ideas and inspirations come from different worlds… from cinema to music. Many photo albums that I created on my FB page have the names of big stars like Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.

As I said, it was not always easy, that is why there is a sentence that I always repeat to encourage myself or when I am in trouble: “God help me… He helps me… He is listening to me… My faith in God helps me, and I know that there is “someone up there who protects me.”

About my future projects: I would like to open a small Atelier where I can sell my jewelry and give a wide choice to my customers, soon I will open a website, it’s a work in progress! 🙂

Important about me: I approach life and work always with positivity, serenity, happiness. That is also why most of my creations have very lively colors, only because I like to give life and color to convey something positive to people and I try to avoid people who can give me negativity.

The motto of my page is ”Mariposa bijoux, to shine like a Diva”! 😉

This is me, Incoronata 🙂 Thank you very much, I hope to gain even more success through this interview! A big hug and lots of kisses from the beautiful Tenerife!”

WEBSITE

FB: Mariposa.bijoux

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