Since I was a child, fabrics and furnishings have always been a great source of fascination for me.
I was born in Milan in 1989. In all likelihood, my greatest source of inspiration has been my mother, a doctor whom could have been an architect, who instilled in my sister and me her passions and which consequently led me to my current job.
She has taught us not to linger on the superficial aspect of things but rather to explore in depth, inviting us to examine critically and observe.
Observation is the forerunner to research. Research always leads to discovery and to the development of emotions.
These steps have become an essential part of my job, which is always novelty and innovation: it gratifies and strikes a chord in me
For this reason, there is not a relevant separation between my passions and my work, as I have managed to fuse the two of my passions into my job. My significantly romantic nature has led me to follow classical studies, a wonderful path that has refined my interests and given my creations a greater depth.
My background has led me to share my work with other people and I believe that doing so gives it an added value. Sharing, in my opinion, is an opportunity to observe projects from different perspectives and thus to exchange ideas and opinions. I’m convinced that this constitutes a great advantage and I have had the opportunity to do so repeatedly since my family is very numerous (we are more than 30 people simply by taking into consideration the closest relatives). This leads to a continuous give-and-take, where collaboration and spontaneous contributions strengthen the existing bonds.
In addition to this, sport has been an important guide: I played volleyball and basketball for several years in a women’s team when I was younger. For four years in my youth, I attended gymnastics lessons along with ballet and, during the summers with my sister in Apulia, we alternated sports with summer courses focused on selected semi-processed local products. My strong connections with southern Italy have fueled my passions and my hobbies, especially in relation to craftsmanship and refined raw materials, without disregarding the culinary aspect that Italy excels in. Confident of my abilities, I decided to follow my passions and thus my educational path has been characterized by this choice. Whilst in university I took part in several competitions on national and international design, such as Natevo, T.O.G., and Tecnargilla. I interned at the Bottega del Paralume in Lecce, learning to create homemade lampshades, and attended a jewelry design course at La Scuola Orafa Ambrosiana, to deepen my knowledge of Apulian craftsmanship. It was during this period that I began to create my bags, inspired by the sinuous baroque-like carvings of Lecce. Following my graduation I began to work at GMS studio in Milan, where I had the chance to concretely work in the world of interior design: my dream had just become a reality. I have been undoubtedly lucky in finding a mentor who immediately trusted me and believed in me, allowing me to work autonomously and independently on the various projects. The collaboration with a team of architects was fundamental for my learning and incredibly useful as I was given the possibility to observe professionals from similar fields at work.
Nonetheless, I have never left the university environment: for the past three years I have been a teacher's assistant at my university and I collaborate with professors in regards to classes on industrial product design.
I like to say that any man’s purpose should be to live with a project in mind, learning from one’s errors but never wallowing in the past, and to wonder whether an important accomplishment has been reached. I am still too young to say whether I have reached an important achievement, but I can affirm that I am doing my best to pursue the project I have set forth.
Projects
- OTTO MilanoOTTO Milano, as many élite and handmade brands, was born from the creative concept of a young designer who, after a miscellaneous education oriented towards the artistic development and the creation methods, lets her passion grow, giving birth to a real project. Recalling her history, Cecilia mentions a particular moment: “During the renovation of an old Cartier bag I remember looking at the retro shape that surrounds the logo and having a flashback to the Baroque splendor that was always part o
- FF&E PROJECT: Private house, KurdistanThe project was based in Kurdistan and refers to a private residence on three floors, of about 2600 sqm with large spaces. The project required a proposal of fixed and loose furniture, with a linear but refined taste, along with warm colors and encircling shapes. The selection was complete: all loose furniture, wallpaper, and floor coverings and the selection of fabrics trimmings and all finishing, in and out-door. I created moodboards for each room in order to present the selection to the cust
- FF&E PROJECT: Private house, MilanOpulence and glamor, in Milan mansion. An apartment of about 600 sqm in two flats, characterized by light and dark games, that predominate on environments. The style of the house is characterized by a more classical and gorgeous stylish in the representation environments such as the entrance to the living room and the dining room beside all the master ambiance, in total harmony with a more modern style, which was chosen for children's rooms and relax areas. To complete the elegance and comfort
Work history
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Sales ManagerIksel Decorative Arts
London, United KingdomFull Time
Managing all sale activities for Italian interior design market
- Brand Development (Creating presentations for the new market and organizing sample packages, market research)
- Communicating activities and social network management
- Private event organization
- Participating in public events (Salone del Mobile 2018, London Design Week, International press day)
- PR with journalists (Vogue Italia, Cabana Magazine, Living- Corriere della Sera)
- Dealing with clients and suppliers, preparing budgets
- Creating inspirational mood boards, matching fabrics and wallpapers
- Visiting customers and potential clients
- Work with designers to prepare full FF&E schedule
- Managing website design and designing catalogs, brochures
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Brand DeveloperOtto Milano
Milan, ItalyFreelance
I created my own bag brand two years ago, Otto Milano (OM) which is characterized by sinuous baroque-like carvings, a combination between the grandeur of the past and the formal elegance of the present. Each and every bag is handmade and thus every detail of the accessory is meticulously crafted. This peculiarity is what gives it its uniqueness, allowing the buyer to participate in the creation of the product. Otto’s collection consists of five models with a modern and versatile character, accurately adapted to the leading seasonal trends, reinterpreting them in an original and retro way.
MAIN ROLES:
- Brand creation, product design, and creative process
- Research and selection of materials and supervision of handcraft production
- Communication activities and social network management
- Private event organization and participation in public events
- PR with journalists or fashion bloggers
- Dealing with Italian shops
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Skills
- Interior Decoration
- Production Design
- Set Decoration
- Sales
- Moodboard Creation
- Creating Moodboards
- Fabric Knowledge
- Creative Admin
- Wallpapers
Education
Product DesignIED Italy
- Milan, Italy
Industrial product design, 3D design, 2D design, Rendering, Art History, Architecture, and History
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Certificate in basic Jewellry’s courseScuola Orafa Ambrosiana
- Milan, Italy
Precious metal (alloy 925), Casting, Lamination and Drawing, Realisation at the counter of jewelry and related objects
techniques (tunnel, gas + air welding, drill, milling), Polishing and final cleaning of the pieces made
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