In Italy, fashion has deep cultural roots in high-quality craftsmanship and artisan design. Although there are places in Florence where you can purchase mass-produced pieces, Ilaria wanted her collection to reflect Italy’s values, creating one-of-a-kind pieces all handmade with meticulous attention to design and details.

Ilaria began her journey opening Essere Atelier on July 30, 1977, after working for different design houses. She fell in love with creating her own designs and collections, showcasing her values and philosophy through her work. Starting from scratch, she is involved in every step of the process, from finding inspiration for the design, cutting the pieces, and assembling everything together, to finally seeing her customers fall in love with her latest creations.

·       Time-Intensive: Each piece requires patience and precision, meaning it takes longer to complete compared to mass manufacturing.

·       Material Sourcing: It can be difficult to find high-quality fabrics that meet sustainability standards, especially when materials are not sourced in bulk.

·       Educating Customers: In a fast-fashion world, people may not always recognize the value and cost of handmade clothing. Educating customers about how this supports Italian artisan culture is essential.

Handmade fashion may come with challenges, but it is also deeply rewarding. At Essere Atelier, each garment is a entirely handmade with love, reflecting the values of Italian craftsmanship and the joy of creating something truly special. By choosing handmade fashion, you are not only investing in a unique piece but also supporting a tradition that celebrates artistry, sustainability, and individuality.

Explore our collection and discover the beauty of handmade fashion, designed to make you feel truly extraordinary.