The Designer

I was born in Milan to Eritrean parents, came to New York as a young woman to study, and ended up staying. Today I carry three cultures — Italian, Eritrean, and American — and my eclectic taste comes from all of them.

I grew up in Milan in the late ’80s and ’90s, while Italian fashion was becoming what it is today. Designers like Ferragamo, Armani, and Valentino shaped my eye.

Ethos

To me, fashion is art: the art of expressing how we feel at a particular moment in time. Whether we realize it or not, we are all part of it. Even those who believe they simply dress in an ordinary way are making a choice. And that choice, in itself, is a style — a reflection of how they see themselves and how they wish to present themselves to the world. As The Devil Wears Prada reminds us, nothing we wear is ever truly ordinary.

Fashion, in turn, is an art form that constantly draws inspiration from and intertwines with others. Much like musicians who collaborate to create something greater than themselves, designers work alongside artisans — leatherworkers, textile specialists, and couture seamstresses — whose hands preserve and bring traditional techniques to life. Their work often remains behind the scenes, yet it is their craftsmanship that gives a garment its soul.

I have always believed that young people, in particular, are among the most instinctive interpreters of fashion. They look to musicians and celebrities for inspiration, but they also create trends of their own. This is why I pay close attention to the young people I encounter on the streets of Milan, New York, and Asmara. They are the real trendsetters. Their creativity is not necessarily determined by what they can afford but by how they combine, reinterpret, and personalize what they wear. I observe these expressions of individuality, absorb them, and ultimately transform them into something of my own.

The Atelier

Designing for both women and men, my brand is built around collaboration with you. I create custom pieces that allow you to express your individuality and tell your own story, whatever the occasion and wherever you are in the world. I also believe in giving garments a second life, transforming treasured pieces passed down from mothers and grandmothers into something contemporary — something to be cherished and worn again, because fashion should not only celebrate creativity but also embrace responsibility and sustainability.