Curiosity, determination, and grit are the characteristics that best define Anastasia, a 20-year-old girl from Vicenza and also our youngest seamstress.

During this year of experience at Atelier Stimamiglio, we have had the chance to know her better and the opportunity to discover that her passion for craftsmanship dates back to her early years.

When I was six, I started attending the summer camp at the community center in my hometown. Thanks to the ladies who volunteered to run the center, I was able to discover the world of craftsmanship: I learned the art of embroidery and simple tailoring skills, such as sewing on a button and various hand stitches. Full of excitement, I decided to delve deeper into embroidery with the help of my paternal grandmother, who introduced me to the concepts of precision and order on both the front and back of the fabric, essential characteristics for achieving good results. At the same time, I also learned to use knitting needles and crochet, techniques I haven’t explored further, but whose process I still remember. After a few years of learning and experience, I had the opportunity to attend the community center in a different capacity, namely as a teacher.

Spending the childhood in close contact with creativity led Anastasia to develop a true passion for craftsmanship, focusing on the creation of accessories and clothing. This interest motivated her to the decision, after completing middle school, to continue her studies at Bartolomeo Montagna Institute, majoring in fashion.

Since I was little, I’ve always demonstrated great creativity and manual dexterity, as well as a strong interest in all aspects of art—particularly drawing and music—so I decided to capitalize on these strengths for my future career.

A choice driven by a furthered explored reasoning that allowed her to fully achieve her goal, reconciling dreams and reality.

But how did she come across Atelier Stimamiglio?

Bartolomeo Montagna Institute and Atelier Stimamiglio have been collaborating for many years to support students in their academic and professional development through practical and theoretical lessons, workshops and project work, generally held during the final school year. The program culminates with a competition in which all final-year students are invited to submit their project to a jury of fashion professionals.

In 2023, Anastasia’s project excelled, standing out from her classmates’ and securing her the competition win as well as the opportunity to visit the company. This visit convinced Anastasia to choose Atelier Stimamiglio as her internship location.

After winning the competition – she explains – I had the opportunity to visit the company and get to know its unique character. My curiosity overcame my fear of not being up to the task, ultimately leading me to choose to do my internship right here, at Atelier Stimamiglio.

Following her summer internship experience, Anastasia decided to return to the company and stay.

I came back for another month over the summer to get to know the workplace better. This opportunity convinced me to stay for two reasons. The first is nothing other than excellence, high-quality and precision work. The second, and most important, are my colleagues. Bright, understanding, friendly, altruistic, and tenacious women who, every day, despite the worries and problems that can plague adult life, come to work every day with a smile. Each of them, in their own way, with their own unique qualities, helps create an incredible, unstoppable force.

Her aspirations for the future are already well defined:

I enjoy the process through which an abstract idea takes shape and becomes concrete. I aspire to become a professional in the industry, as well as being responsible for projects involving the complete creation of an article of clothing. I would like to become the kind of professional who has complete knowledge of garments, because a garment is more than just fabric, shape, pattern or pattern placement; for me, a garment has a story made up of people who dedicate time and passion, a value that goes far beyond simply closing a side or trimming. For me, the full awareness of all the processes, from the initial idea to the finished garment, is an ineffable feeling.

We are more than delighted to have the opportunity and the responsibility to contribute to Anastasia’s professional growth, providing her with all the necessary knowledge to help her fulfill her aspirations.