WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
At the moment, I'm in Milan, as usual, because I've always lived here. Milan is my home; I love its atmosphere, the climate, even its flaws. It's the right place for me, and I just can't imagine myself anywhere else. When I leave, after a maximum of 15 days, I start to miss it.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
Milan, back in 1983, is my hometown, and I've never changed neighborhoods. Milan is really special to me; it's where I've spent most of my life and where I have many memories.
WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
What I love about my city and Italy are all the "familiar" things. Even though it may not seem like it, I am very habitual about certain things. It's like receiving a warm hug every time I rediscover or redo something. There are places I've been going to for years, the streets I walked as a child, and every corner has a connected memory. It's as if every alley has a story to tell me. And then there are the people, the faces, the food.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?
My childhood memories are like a gold mine of joy and fun. The most precious moments are undoubtedly those spent with my grandfather. He was a special man, rich in wisdom and kindness. He understood my passion for drawing and always did everything possible to support and encourage me in pursuing my dreams. They were simple moments but full of love and complicity.
FAVOURITE PHRASE IN ITALIAN?
As for my favorite Italian phrase, there are many to choose from! But probably my favorite is: "Gli esami non finiscono mai," which also means that life is a continuous process of learning, growth, and overcoming challenges.
WHY ART AND DESIGN?
Because art and design allow me to communicate in ways that words often cannot. I can convey emotions, thoughts, and share a unique vision of the world, showing others the world through my eyes. For me, art and design are like a universal language, and drawing is my most natural way of expressing myself. It's like having a conversation without having to say a word. And then, there's something so liberating about creating something from nothing, shaping the world through my eyes. Over time, I've realized that I can draw not only on paper but also in the world around me. I can influence the atmosphere of a space with design, create visual experiences that leave a lasting impression. It's like bringing an idea to life and making it tangible.
HOW AND WHERE DID YOU ACQUIRE THE SKILL?
Well, it all started at the Liceo Artistico di Brera, where I was fortunate enough to get to know the world of art and creativity. It was a fantastic time. Growing up, I thought I wanted to deepen my interest in fashion, so I enrolled in the fashion design course at the Politecnico di Milano and traveled every day between Milan and Como, learning a lot about trends and fabrics, but realizing I needed something more. So I didn't stop there, and after my degree in fashion design, I felt the need to expand my horizons and embark on another adventure with product design. It was an incredible, enlightening experience; I learned to design objects, to put into practice everything I had learned, and to see my ideas take shape under my hands. My journey has been a mix of experiences, experiments, and hard work, but it has made me the person and the creative I am today.
WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION?
My creative process is like a swing. There's no fixed formula because every project is a different adventure. I always start with an idea, of course, but from there it's a succession of techniques, improvisation, and changes. Often, at the beginning, there are many ideas, and you have to be able to bring as many as possible back to the paper, in order to define a sort of conceptual map, from which to select the most fascinating and feasible ideas. Then comes the most chaotic and fun part because during the design process, the direction often changes, new elements are added, others disappear. It's like a creative dance, where you have to be able to improvise and adapt, embracing the creative chaos. In the end, it's always very satisfying to see something that was just an idea transform into a concrete and tangible object.
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
Inspiration is like a treasure hunt. Sometimes it strikes me like lightning, other times it's more like a slow apparition. Over the years, I've learned that passions outside of design fuel creativity. Interests, travels, music, even a walk in the park, are all endless sources of inspiration. I believe the secret is to look beyond the surface of things and capture those moments that flash like lightning. Daily life is rich in insights; you just have to be skilled at recognizing them. Even conversations with different people, the books we read, the movies we watch... Everything contributes to creating this magical mix of ideas and visions that then translate into reality.
WHAT OR WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
There are many things and people that have influenced my growth and my work. But if I have to choose, as I mentioned before, my grandfather was a great reference point. His wisdom, creativity, and time spent with him taught me a lot about the importance of following one's passions and exploring the world with curiosity. Then, of course, there's the Radical Movement, Alessandro Mendini, Pop Art, and street art, which opened my eyes to a world of different colors and shapes. The '80s and '90s, with their unique aesthetics and overwhelming energy, had a huge impact on my perception of both design and art. And of course, comics and video games too. I grew up immersed in extraordinary stories and fantastic worlds that fueled my imagination and shaped my aesthetic taste. In essence, there's a bit of everything in what I am and what I do.
WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC?
My personal aesthetic is a continuous bounce between the present and a near future, with a very careful eye to avoid mistakes and complications, especially when it comes to food! In design and art, I love immersing myself in contemporaneity. I like to see what's happening now, in this moment, and try to hint slightly at the future, without going too far. For food, it's a different story. Being celiac and lactose intolerant, every meal is an exploratory mission. I have to be careful, but at the same time, I enjoy discovering new dishes. I stay basic to avoid unpleasant surprises, no excessive risks.
WHAT BEAUTY ROUTINE DO YOU SWEAR BY?
My beauty routine is really very simple. I don't have a set of fixed rituals; I go with the flow. Every now and then, I treat myself to thermal baths because I love immersing myself in those warm waters, and I love massages, which are my favorite treat to relax the mind. It's incredible how they can melt away all the accumulated stress. But beyond all this, I'm pretty basic. I also love to have well-groomed hands, so a nice manicure every now and then is a sort of must for me. But nothing more, no fixations. Beauty for me is more of a state of mind than a list of things to do; I do something that makes me feel good without thinking too much about it.
WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
When I'm not working, my life is completely dedicated to my kids. I love playing with them; it's like a magical escape from the daily routine. We're in that period when time flies, and I'm aware that they're growing up too fast. There are days when we dive into board games, others when we build Lego towers that defy physics. When I'm tired, we enjoy cartoons wrapped in blankets. It's like living in a parallel dimension. There's nothing more precious. And even though time is always short, I try to enjoy every moment.
HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
This is a question I ask myself every morning. Finding the right way to relax is the key to facing the day. Usually, my secret weapon for evening relaxation is a nice cup of chamomile tea. It's like a warm hug that prepares me for the night. But the real solution to completely disconnecting from everything is walks in the countryside; I relax a lot by immersing myself in the greenery, listening to the chirping of birds, and smelling the scent of the earth. It's like a reset for the mind and spirit. Nothing beats the fresh air and relaxing atmosphere of nature. If stress levels are really high, to find my moment of peace, I go on vacation. Exploring new and wonderful places is essential to maintaining balance in the hectic everyday life
No comments:
Post a Comment