Benedetta Bruzziches
Ever since she was born in the small Italian town of Caprarola, Benedetta Bruzziches knew that something grand awaited her. Her talent started blossoming at a very young age when she yearned to transform everyday objects and materials into bags, hats and jewelry. In order to restore some tranquility in the household, her mom was obliged to teach her the basics of knitting and sewing.
From that moment onwards, Benedetta never stopped creating. When she went to Rome, she kept on challenging herself in design competitions- many of which she won- and realized that her talent was not something she could simply acknowledge. In Milan, she worked side by side with Romeo Gigli and soaked up all the know-how and information she could.
However, the young Benedetta needed to know and see more. So she travelled the world non-stop for two years, from India to Brazil, in search for inspiration and knowledge.
Upon her return to Italy, she immediately started her own line, Benedetta Bruzziches.
This young designer is an inspiration for many, and here she dedicates an exclusive interview with Design42Day.
1.Since you were young, you’ve had a flair for design and accessories. Why did you choose bags in particular?
After studying at IED in Rome, I started working in Milan as an assistant to the fashion designer Romeo Gigli, but I didn’t really get along with the city. One day, by an unexpected twist of fate, I met a man in an elevator and he asked me to design bags for his brand in India. So I pretended to be a bag designer and took my chances. I was actually working in the clothing industry, I had never designed bags, but it was love at first sight, so much so that, on a Kafkaesque morning of three years ago, I woke up as a bag.
2. You travelled for inspiration to four different continents, what was the most intriguing place you visited and how did it leave a mark on your designs?
Madras, in the South of India, was undoubtedly the city of my renaissance. It was there that I remembered that everything is possible.
3. You embarked on an adventure with your brother to set up your own brand, how did you know you were prepared to take that major leap in your career?
Actually, I didn’t know it. It was a leap into the void, and I am still gliding!
4. Do you have a special relationship with your creations? And what is your favourite design up to date?
I have such a strong relationship with my “Benedettas” that I’d never trade them for anything! My favourite is the “Big Carmen”, a large quilted clutch bag, but don’t tell the others: they could get jealous!
What advice would you give to other young designers as yourself in terms of what you learned so far?
If you have a special brother like mine, then involve him in your project. Working as a team is great and it helps you grow. In the beginning there are so many things to do, and you have to optimize time and costs! You need to arm yourself with determination and perseverance, and think like an Enlightenment philosopher: we are the masters of our destiny.
5. Now that you are an established ‘emerging’ accessories designer with your own brand, what challenges and objectives do you see ahead of you?
I wish my company became a benchmark for the innovation and design of luxury hand-crafted articles. For this reason, about one year ago, we set up a workshop where we develop prototypes in partnership with designers of leather goods, as well as artists, decorators, bookbinders and artisans from all fields. Besides, I want to become the greatest tap dancer in the world!
