By Hello everyone! Here we are with the third episode of our “Vintage Interviews” dedicated to a collaboration between our Cooperative Di Mano in Mano and a brand new creative fashion project: “tredicicm”.
“tredicicm” was born from the collaboration between two young professionals, Gabriella Mondelli, designer, and Stefania Cifarelli, pattern maker and prototype specialist, and aims to recover vintage fabrics or end-of-stock materials, with the goal of creating clothing and accessories with a contemporary appeal. The mission of the two co-founders is to create collections that are environmentally friendly, and the challenge is the creative recovery of fabrics that would otherwise be discarded and go unused.
A perfect fit with the values of our Cooperative. That’s why we decided to start a collaboration with “tredicicm” for a unique event dedicated to clothing, which will take place on September 3rd and 4th at our store in Milan, in Viale Espinasse 99.
The event we’re talking about is “All You Can Wear“, a fun (and budget-friendly) format offering 1000 bags to fill to the brim with vintage, second-hand, and new-stock clothing and accessories. A two-day event aimed at “saving” and finding new homes for garments in line with the reuse and recycling values that are so dear to our Cooperative and the “tredicicm” team.
The aforementioned bags are made by the girls at “tredicicm”. Each bag is unique because it’s created from upcycled fabrics. Their shape, size, and design, which gracefully combine fabrics of different colors and prints, allow those who purchase them to continue using them as comfortable bags for any occasion even after the event.
But let’s get to know the two creative minds behind the “tredicicm” project with a few brief questions and some photos taken in the courtyard where their workshop is located. Oh, and of course, Stefania and Gabriella are dressed entirely in Di Mano in Mano, showing off two bag prototypes that you’ll find at the event.
Stefania, what is, briefly, the personal path that led you to become interested in vintage and more conscious fashion?
I started getting into vintage when I began deepening my knowledge of clothing and accessory making. I appreciate garments and materials that are more environmentally friendly and have an ethical supply chain. I like to find the quality of fabrics and finishes in vintage garments, and often I consider them superior to current pieces.
And you, Gabriella?
My sensitivity to fashion has grown over time. I’ve always been a shopping addict, but over the years, I’ve learned to buy less and pay attention to the production chain of garments, the quality of materials, and the uniqueness of design.
So, how did the idea of founding “tredicicm” actually come about?
We share a passion for teaching and met by chance at a Milanese university, where we are both lecturers in the fashion department. In May 2022, we finally decided to turn all the ideas we’d shared between lessons into something concrete and work together.
tredicicm is a project of creative tailoring, aimed at reinventing end-of-stock fabrics, reinterpreting them, and giving them a new life.
A fun fact: 13 is our shared birthday (yes, the same day, but different months and years). C and M are the initials of our surnames and the unit of measurement of our craftswomen creativity.
How do you divide the work in your workshop?
We are both the creative minds behind the project, sharing ideas and developing the collections together. Gabriella is responsible for digitally designing embroidery, decorations, and patterns, studying the themes and color palettes for the collections. She also handles the brand’s graphic design. Stefania focuses on carefully selecting fabrics and finishes, works on the patterns, and oversees the production. Our work is very much a team effort, and constant collaboration leads to bold combinations and always-new products.
We know you were familiar with Di Mano in Mano long before this collaboration. What fascinates you about our cooperative?
We’ve been loyal customers for a long time. In addition to the quality of your products, we are really fascinated by your work ethic and the passion that is always highlighted in all your projects. We appreciate the human relationships within your community, and the peaceful atmosphere you can feel simply by visiting your stores.
Regarding the collaboration for the “All You Can Wear” event, what were the challenges and satisfactions in making the bags?
We still haven’t fully recovered from the sewing and cutting marathon! 🙂 It was a busy few weeks, lovingly making the 1000 bags that you will find at the event.
We put all our passion into highlighting the beauty of the fabrics that Di Mano in Mano provided us, combining them with fabrics featuring our designs. We believe we’ve succeeded in our goal of enhancing both fabrics, trying to minimize waste while staying true to one of the pillars of our work: upcycling. We look forward to seeing you at the event to discover which bag will be your favorite!
To conclude, we can’t help but ask: what are the developments you foresee or hope for your business?
We are ready with two collections. The first is a limited edition of bags made of 100% cotton gabardine fabric, rigid and durable, versatile for any use. We also have a second collection entirely inspired by the delicate embroidery from our grandmothers’ trousseaus. We’ve recreated the same embroidery digitally and created new variations, reproducing the thread patterns that accompanied our childhood. The bags are the first step, and we already have a line of accessories, home textiles in the works, and we’ll soon launch our first collection of pajamas and bathrobes!
Thank you so much girls, it has been super interesting collaborating with you and having the opportunity to explore your new and exciting reality! We’ll see you soon at the event with all 1000 bags ready!
Back to you, dear readers, we thank you for sticking with us up to this point, but most of all, we look forward to seeing you at the “All You Can Wear” event, which, as a reminder, will be held on September 3rd and 4th at Viale Espinasse 99, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
If you haven’t read the previous episodes of “Vintage Interviews” on the blog, you can find them here.
For more information on sustainability in fashion, you can follow this link.
Don’t forget to follow our Instagram profile for daily updates on the clothing department and the Instagram of “tredicicm”, where we are sure you’ll see amazing things!
See you soon!
