How I built Gingerit
Ever since I was a little girl I dreamt of being a fashion designer. I wanted to make beautiful things, beautiful designs and to make the world a better place with my designs.
My grandmother’s sister Sabina, which I was very close to, was a very successful seamstress in a time when most people ordered costume-made clothes. She gave me so much unconditional love and patience. She taught me how to sew by hand and with sewing machine, she taught me to knit (even though I’m left handed and it was tough…) and she kept all my paintings and my creations.
I adored her and she was my role model for a strong and independent woman ❤️
When I grew up, it was obvious to me that I came here to be a fashion designer.
Although this notion I first studied one year of architecture to know that it’s definitely not for me, and another year of aerobic instructor studying (I was addicted to it and later on realised that yoga is the accurate activity for me), eventually I went to fashion school.
I knew from the beginning that I was in the right place. I loved everything about it: seeking trends, making sketches, choosing colours, creating mood boards, sewing and creating the technical pattern for the garments. It had everything I was passionate about and I felt I was in the right place for me.
So, after school I found my first job as a socks designer. Then I worked as a underwear designer for some years, then some years as a kids and baby apparel designer and eventually became a freelance fashion designer and made pretty designs to my clients (I do still enjoy to work with some of them).
I love what I do so much and yet something always distracted me in the background. Especially as an employee, I saw the impact of manufacturing abroad. I saw so many inventory just to make it economical by the company, I saw so many poly bags in which the samples and the final products came inside, they all went to the trash and won’t disintegrate for hundreds of years. I also saw the quality of the garments getting worst and worst in order to compete with the so many cheap chain stores which basically in my opinion sell garbage… in my eyes, the fashion industry became which become a fast fashion industry- became to fast and this snow ball had to be stopped.
For 14 years I did my job with a little flame 🔥 in my heart to one day do what I love and still respecting the environment.
In the past 3 years of being a freelancer I built up some confidence and also I became 40 and the worst of all happened and my mama past away, reminding me that I won’t be here forever. So I realised it is now or never and this is the time to break free from fears and limiting beliefs and start my own brand.
5 years ago when my third baby was born, I came across a wonderful Italian company named ECONIL which pick up worn out huge fishing nets and regenerate them into an elastic fibre. They cooperate with an Italian textile company that turn the fibre into an elastic fabric that can be used for swimwear or active wear. It completely turned me on and I got so inspired and wanted to design a whole collection of sustainable swimwear for mothers and daughters. I contacted them and was so excited BUT in the end of my maternity leave I decided to play safe and go back to my job as a fashion designer for a big loungewear apparel in my country.
I LOVED my job, I loved my coworkers, but I worked so many extra hours, I didn’t see my kids, I spent many hours commuting each day and my nutrition wasn’t at it best. I knew I needed a change.
We say in our country that every child brings a blessing, so when I had my forth baby (even when she was in my belly) it was obvious to me that I’m not going back to being an employee.
I was tired of being told when and where to work and selling my time for money, those days were over.
The change actually came a lot faster then I imagined… I wanted at least 6 months of maternity leave but after 3 months I already had my first client as freelance fashion designer 🥳
It’s just like that – when your mind is set on a goal the whole universe gathers for your assistance 🙏🏻
2 years later I finally realised that no one is coming to fulfil my dreams but me and I decided to go for it. I designed my first collection of sustainable swimwear for mothers and daughters, and here it is in front of you ❤️
