Dressing up elegantly is every Italian’s inborn penchant toward feeling on top of the world. This is very much what defines who they

are from within. They enjoy this part to the fullest, thus reinforcing

the protocol behind their “dressing etiquette” wherever they go with a sense of pride. That’s why they are called “ultimate stylists” on the planet.

After all, their country is a leader when it comes to constantly triggering interesting changes in the world of fashion thanks to its high-profile names the likes of Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Fendi, and now a number of up-and-coming talents who are smart and intelligent enough to be reckoned with in terms of what they offer.

Out of this school of thought comes well-known figure Elena Ghisellini, founder of the eponymous luxury handbags line and head accessory designer of Emilio Pucci. While she has already worked with famous names in the industry and earned their respect for designing spectacular accessories, she has repeated the same magic with her own brand bit by bit quite successfully. It’s no surprise that her enticing bags have caught everybody’s attention in the showbiz world. Needless to say, for a reason!

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, we sit down with her to find out how she got into designing handbags (which mean a lot to her and she hates it when they are indiscriminately described as “accessories”) and what more she has in store for her brand.

Ghisellini’s leaning toward fashion was her armor to make her life more happening. Her motivation for it comes from the great passion she has always had for fashion and, more in general, for the system behind it, and then came her interest for the materials, elegant and malleable, and specifically for leather goods.

But it all began when she graduated from IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) in Rome. While she was here, she learnt a very important lesson from her master. “I had an amazing teacher who taught me the secrets of colors. He channeled my sensibility and ability to appreciate them by understanding their absolute power of seduction. I confirm, however, that what really makes a difference and brings greater results, is the creative and impetuous hint that has always characterized my work,” she says.

Ghisellini started her career at Trussardi where she learnt firsthand about materials and the manufacturing of products since she worked closely with the laboratories on the creation of the goods.

Then she moved to Salvatore Ferragamo where she engaged her focus on understanding how to handle large scale production without ever compromising creativity and quality.

“Moreover, it was an eye-opener for me to see myself being part of a huge chain creating global products that are suitable for markets with different needs,” she expresses. “It was quite interesting.” After this, her third stint happened to be rolling with Givenchy where she met its creative director Riccardo Tisci and they instantly got along with each other well. “Working alongside him, thanks to my experience and his incredible talent, we were able to refine the vision of contemporary design and by far it proved to be a huge success,” Ghisellini explains.

The idea of launching her brand was made possible on the job, working determinedly with one big brand after another … but also having a brand of her own was born from her need to create unique products that, first, she would like to use and wear, as well as fully express her desire of quality and handiness.

As she fondly recalls, “The people I worked with helped me learn a whole lot about the products, their construction and production.

Knowledge is power! Discretion and professionalism always win and are unquestionable. Without my background, I could never have pursued my personal adventure comprised of many difficulties, but totally full of greater satisfaction at the end of the day.”

Seated at the helm of two big brands known for their own distinctive touch they invest in the making of handbags, it’s not easy to keep up with the pace of the job. Yet, she maneuvers her way through it all effortlessly with the help of her proactive team whom she always thanks for their sheer allegiance. “You know it’s a matter of rhythm.

I have a great team, a group of talented and skilled people who tirelessly work with passion. That’s the secret behind the creation of standout collections, characterized by high creative content and quality,” she says.

Consumers take note of your products with pleasure only if they have something fabulous to offer. And her creations are proof of that as she replies, “Diversity, innovation and uniqueness are what define my work! My goal is to make products that are recognizable at a glance and desirable for the emotions they arouse—an object that every woman recognizes for its high quality and peculiar style, a perfect balance between materials, design and research plus available at the right price.”

So she always uses the best leather and she likes to go to the tannery and personally develop unique finishes, from different weights to multiple tones. “The reason I do it all is because they add value to the end product,” she says.

Another tempting part of her bags is embedded in their color combination. “Colors are essential in my collections and, in general, in my life! The Felina Rainbow bag is successful for its evocative power: A kaleidoscope of colors makes it unique and special. Colors have innate meanings and are positively timeless,” she says.

Inspirations have immense power that can move mountains. Ghisellini passionately believes in this insight; it actually brings her closer to what she aspires to achieve in her life. “My inspiration always comes from everyday life, from women’s needs and attitude. Nature and animals are my greatest love and source of emotional inspiration, they stimulate my aesthetic,” she says.

Music is another source of inspiration for Ghisellini. She loves the music scene so much so that she has a great deal of respect for women who have made it so big in this field. “They are talented, strong and passionate about their work. Their strength, professionalism and

energy are always a great source of inspiration for me,” she says.

Because these bags are a blueprint of divine splendor, the celebrities find their way no matter where they are to seize one of the pieces for themselves.

“Noreen Goodwin often wears the Rainbow clutch and I know that Queen Rania of Jordan and Olivia Palermo really like my collections. Jessica Alba is a fan of the Gia bag; Margot Robbie loves the Vicky in bright red and recently, Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette chose the Petra clutch for a gala event,” she says. “Then, famous models the likes of Izabel Goulart, Isabeli Fontana and Juliana Martins are also attracted to my bags.”

The more I tried to find about Ghisellini during our ongoing conversation, the better she came across to me with her intelligent thinking. She says she adores women who, besides their beauty, excel in their work and commitments. “Femininity and elegance are great values but personality and self-awareness define the image of a person,” she suggests.

Like all renowned Italian fashion designers, she also wants to carry on the splendor of her country’s style heritage with the same candor and finesse. “It’s quite incredible how quality makes a difference; it goes beyond all trends! When a bag is well done and it’s timeless and fits all women, the age factor hardly matters. Chanel, Hermes or Gucci are the finest examples of a myth so true that quality lasts. I want the same for my brand: to create ageless collections characterized by my personal vision and style,” she says.

Ghisellini’s love for Dubai and the region is apparent the way she sums up the success of this wonderful city in her words. “Dubai is already a fashion capital! The Middle East has an amazing culture and philosophy to share, and a lot of entrepreneurs are ready to invest in the gigantic market it is. I think it would be positive if Arabic culture became more relevant; it would create a positive cultural exchange between different countries,” Ghisellini says.

The future of the brand that’s on the rise internationally without a doubt is her most exciting challenge and she is keen to take on. She would like it to be celebrated as one of the best brands in demand for quality and innovation. “We’re always working on its development and the results so far have confirmed that we’re on the right track! Our creativity definitely has something to say: We aim to create unique and desirable products, engineered to serve as status symbols,” she says.

Even though she is being touted as another most-talked about designers when it comes to the making of mystique handbags, she wants to take in this compliment at her own ease and bask in it like a free-spirited soul.

“It’s an honor. But I still prefer to enthusiastically work on the development of new ideas and styles. The biggest satisfaction for me is when I meet women who love my brand and that they could not think of going out anymore without one of my purses which they believe revitalizes their looks,” she smiles.

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