INTERVIEW: GIORGIA CICATELLO

Giorgia Cicatello, an accomplished designer of sets and costumes for film and theater, seamlessly transitioned her artistic talents into the realm of fashion with the creation of her namesake brand. Throughout her educational journey and travels between Paris and Berlin, Cicatello refined her skills and immersed herself in the industry, ultimately establishing her own label in late 2018.

What distinguishes Giorgia Cicatello is her unwavering dedication to collaborating closely with Italian artisans, valuing their expertise and craftsmanship. This collaboration not only deepened her understanding of traditional techniques but also empowered her to challenge and redefine them, resulting in innovative and avant-garde designs. Her collections go beyond conventional gender norms, offering a fresh perspective that resonates with diverse audiences. In a short span of time, Cicatello has left an indelible mark on the fashion world, showcasing her creations on prestigious runways and prestigious international events, garnering widespread recognition and praise. This success is a testament to her unique blend of forward-thinking creativity and steadfast commitment to preserving artisanal excellence.

Beyond her love for fashion, Cicatello’s inquisitiveness extends to the complexities of life and the poignant narratives that define each person. Her conviction that self-awareness is the catalyst for personal liberation and growth propels her to continually push boundaries and transcend self-imposed constraints. Ultimately, Giorgia Cicatello’s brand serves as an ongoing exploration of the human experience, captivating and inspiring in equal measure.

In summary, Giorgia Cicatello’s journey as a designer, her reverence for craftsmanship, and her dedication to creative storytelling distinguish her in the fashion landscape. Her brand stands as a living embodiment of her vision, and the anticipation is high for the next chapter she will craft.

How have your experiences in cinema, theater, and costume design influenced your approach to fashion and your design aesthetic?

My past is always present in my every creation. I consider myself fortunate to have chosen not to follow a standard and purely academic path, but to have had the opportunity to experiment and do research in art, because this has given me the opportunity to see fashion as a story and not as a half-end to my own use. My unique pieces are conceived and realised as works of art, where I have the opportunity to experiment and let myself be guided by pure creative sense. Having worked in fields such as cinema, theatre and performative art allows me to space and also use different materials and raw materials and to study the dress while still maintaining functionality and comfort in use.

How do you blend multidisciplinary technologies with traditional craftsmanship in your designs?

It is crucial for me that there is always a link between past and future, because what we are able to create today, is only allowed to us thanks to the research and experimentations of the past. If, for example, I want to experiment with 3D printing, I make sure that it is used to improve or make contemporary something that would be lost over time, such as embroidery for example. This allows those who come into contact with my work, to also know practices and tailoring techniques that are almost extinct. However, I do not lose my link with the sustainability of the brand, so I make sure that every process I integrate to the creation uses only processes and raw materials that respect the planet and the humans.

Can you provide examples of the pioneering techniques and luxurious materials you use to create your unique garments?

My design is based on research. Whether it’s about studying a cut, a neckline, a processing technique, or simply manipulating the fabric, I usually never work alone, but I get guided by experienced people who can give me creative inputs. They usually never come purely from the fashion industry, for example, in the E-nature collection, it was a biologist expert in nanotechnology who guided me during the research phase. Understanding how a micro-organism works allowed me to process and draw the form then printed with the PLA of re-clated hemp following exactly the path I had seen under the microscope. Every process, whether it is in the use of digital software for design, or that concerns the most contemporary fusion techniques, is then adapted to the material, strictly selected according to very specific criteria: the fiber of each fabric must guarantee durability over time, so I choose only high-class materials. I prefer natural fibers especially because they give the skin a feeling of comfort, even when wearing seemingly very uncomfortable clothes.

How do you reinvent handmade craftsmanship as a driving force for innovation and sustainability in your brand?

Creating a connection between experience and unconsciousness. New minds have a spirit of defiance that belongs to the young generations, where I take that unconsciousness that allows me to dare where those who have gained experience would not go. But without the skillful hands of those who for years have worked on the techniques of the past I would not be able to get to that advantage I am looking for. After all, this was also my path, a constant learning from those who have lived times that I have only read in the books, but also a constant research together with those who are writing the new pages.

How do you incorporate sustainable practices into your design and production processes, and why is sustainability important to you as a designer?

In 2024 sustainability should be a concept that is now taken for granted. For my Brand, it is a path, made of natural materials, end-of-series fabrics or recovered from laboratories now in disuse, but above all ethical in the work. Care and respect must be sought on the planet, which starts from the design and arrives at the sale, trying to pollute as little as possible, but my choice also goes towards a slow fashion, which does not follow the race to the trend, which does not imply an exploitation of the worker, but which respects every individual who contributes to the realization of the work, who will enter the world to draw one style and not to follow another.

Can you discuss any collaborations or inspirations from the art world that have influenced your collections, and how they enhance the storytelling aspect of your brand?

I really like to connect with artists of all genres and collaborate with them in my collections. For example, for Core, the past collection, I developed the advertising campaign together with a contemporary dance company, which I believe helped in the communication and rendering of the campaign itself. For the new collection, Tribute to ‘’I’m perfetta’’, it will be a Roman golopher to join me, with whom I have already worked in the past. I find in the art of Cerere Arte, this very good metal craftsman, an important harmony with my Brand and with my values.

How do you strike a balance between pushing boundaries and creating pieces that are practical and wearable in everyday life?

It is not easy to balance these two aspects, but it is fundamental if you want to build a solid project. I believe that the key is in trying to look at one’s work with the eyes and mind of our potential client, trying to respond to his needs and not just our creative needs.

How do your Italian roots influence your creative process and the aesthetics of your brand?

Italy, its places, its culture, its positive aspects, but also the negative ones, are part of my everyday life and of the person I am, so although I consider myself partly a citizen of the world, they certainly influence my work a lot. What I try to emphasize the most is the creative aspect and mastery of the craftsmanship of this country, because we Italians ourselves are the first to devalue our potential

What advice would you give to aspiring designers who want to make their mark in the fashion industry with their unique vision and creativity?

What I feel like saying to a young designer is not to be afraid to be himself. Today, we have before us a market strongly saturated with brands, aspiring designers or young people who improvise themselves as such. Study, do research, experiment, find your key, your vision, your story. Being unique, knowing how to distinguish yourself, but making sense of the things you do. Because sometimes you overdo it for fear of having done something too simple or vice versa. Stop, question yourself, look for a coherence that you tell yourself or the message you want to leave, but respect and never lose your personality because that is the key to distinguishing yourself.

Can you share any upcoming collections or projects that we can expect from your brand in the future?

I can say that I am working on some projects that are really important to me. First of all the collaboration with Carlotta Giancane and ‘’I’m perfetta’’ project, for the new collection, a really significant project for me, which touches parts of myself that I often keep hidden. After the recent experience in Los Angeles, where I presented a preview of the collection, I am excited for the official release, designed in a unique way, like the muses that inspired this project. I am also working on an event that will also highlight art and my past, and on one of the biggest challenges that the Brand wants to face. Giving a unique shopping experience even to those who usually do not live it fully, but I still prefer not to say anything else about this, only that it will be the most beautiful challenge I have faced so far.