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Certain places of our childhood will never abandon us, even if we will not return to them or if they will never exist again. Florence born Giulia Mondolfi, founder of Alberta Florence fashion atelier in 2014, which recently inaugurated a Milan branch, is well aware of this. For Giulia, born in 1986, designing and making a dress are natural gestures to live again - and bring to life - the atmospheres she inhabited, the landscapes she explored and that have remained in her heart, the books she loved and which are intertwined with her life and with her professional path. Giulia approached fashion after a degree in Architecture at the Milan Polytechnic, followed by a specialization in landscape architecture; then there was her desire to give life to a sustainable economy project, which led her to involve in the project a few social cooperatives operating in social recovery programs, with which the brand regularly collaborates. From the blazer to the full skirt, from the waistcoat to its trademark sheath dress, at the base of any Alberta Florence garments, all unique and hand-made, are the furnishing textiles. Made in Italy and beyond, vintage or contemporary, Giulia has been collecting interior fabrics during her numerous travels. Between patterns, textures, and colors, the young designer combines her inclination for vintage atmospheres with a natural attachment to certain objects she encountered during her journey, some of which she describes to intOndo.
1. Bitossi ceramics
A love and hate relationship. I have always seen them in the family because my aunt is very fond of them. This was not understood at home because nobody liked them. Eventually, after years, I began to understand them and now I am delighted that many have been given to me. I find them unique for their design and unmistakable colors. I am convinced they are wonderful pieces to have because, when mixed between antiques and modern items, they totally break. A suspended and surreal testimony of Italian skills.
A love and hate relationship. I have always seen them in the family because my aunt is very fond of them. This was not understood at home because nobody liked them. Eventually, after years, I began to understand them and now I am delighted that many have been given to me. I find them unique for their design and unmistakable colors. I am convinced they are wonderful pieces to have because, when mixed between antiques and modern items, they totally break. A suspended and surreal testimony of Italian skills.
2. Costanzina lamp by Luceplan
I am in love with clean lines. I bought the first a few years ago and just recently bought two more for my new atelier in Milan. It is the essence of the table lamp. Discreet, it integrates perfectly with everything and in my opinion it gives a touch of witty contemporaneity.
I am in love with clean lines. I bought the first a few years ago and just recently bought two more for my new atelier in Milan. It is the essence of the table lamp. Discreet, it integrates perfectly with everything and in my opinion it gives a touch of witty contemporaneity.
3. Kilim cushions
I take them everywhere! The first was given to me by my aunt in Rome in my first year of university... now I have six! They are fantastic and very comfortable, warming up any atmosphere with their "exotic" touch.
I take them everywhere! The first was given to me by my aunt in Rome in my first year of university... now I have six! They are fantastic and very comfortable, warming up any atmosphere with their "exotic" touch.
4. Electrical insulators
A lifelong emotional relationship. My grandfather built power stations, so we have some of his own; my mother loves shapes, design and materials, from glass to ceramics. I love them, especially the big ones, I find them fascinating and even a bit futuristic. I use them as paperweights, doorstops, and the most beautiful ones become decorative objects.
5. Membrana lamp by Toni Zuccheri for Venini
My latest purchase! I discovered Toni Zuccheri and fell in love with his vision of the world and nature. In spite of many pendant lamps of those years, Membrana has something vital to it, a soul, as if it represented on a large scale the essence of a single-celled element, the power and the stillness of nature.
6. Seagull by Toni Zuccheri for Venini
First place on my wish list! Love at first sight! The first time I was at an auction and it was positioned in a showcase made up of pieces by Venini, but it had something different. I spent an hour looking at it in amazement. I had never seen anything so "alive" and essential at the same time ... a masterpiece!
First place on my wish list! Love at first sight! The first time I was at an auction and it was positioned in a showcase made up of pieces by Venini, but it had something different. I spent an hour looking at it in amazement. I had never seen anything so "alive" and essential at the same time ... a masterpiece!
