Antonia Rossi

Antomoon

Embroiderer

©Giulia Nutricati

Tokens and amulets made of colourful fabric

Antonia makes small objects and jewellery from repurposed textiles
Her craft is a traditional Italian know-how with a local history
She uses embroidery to bring her pieces together

Antonia Rossi's mother and grandmother taught her the secrets behind sewing and reusing fabrics when she was a child. She has fashioned handmade garments ever since. Passion and curiosity led Antonia to study traditional textile working techniques, and in particular, the local Abruzzo tradition of amulets, among which are the so-called brevi. "The brevi are objects, pendants or necklaces that are created to keep a link with the past alive," she explains. After graduating in modern literature, Antonia moved to Paris where she worked for several famous fashion ateliers, and in 2007 she returned to Italy. This is when she decided to focus on the brevi as central contender in her new professional path. Today, Antonia lives in Bologna where she creates unique embroidered pieces with tiny amulets to wear as charms.

Interview

©Giulia Nutricati

©Giulia Nutricati

Why do you love your craft so much?: It has always been my great passion. It allows me to express my creativity, to bring my memories and experiences to life, reinterpreting them in a joyful way, to share emotions. Each of my works has a story to tell.
What did your stay in Paris teach you?: I learned about many new rare and natural fabrics and experimental craft techniques. I also met several extraordinary people who contributed to my training and with whom I still have an excellent relationship today.
What is your primary source of inspiration?: It all starts with the search for materials. Wherever I go, I look for particular or vintage fabrics, threads of special colours and shades, pearls and beads to embroider, and then I let my emotions guide me to find the most expressive combinations.
When did you open your own workshop?: When I came back to Italy, in 2007. I have a very special workshop, with a big table and a storage room filled with containers and shelves. There are fabrics, threads, scissors, needles, stones of all sizes everywhere.

Antonia Rossi is a master artisan: she began her career in 2007 and she started teaching in 2018