Angela Pini, Benedetta Nistri & Monica Aiazzi

Giratine

Bag maker

©Ludovica BARONE

Vintage handbags by a family trio

Angela, Monica and Benedetta represent three family generations
Giratine, their studio, was born during the Covid lockdown, in 2020
Their bags are designed and handcrafted in Prato

Giratine is a creative project merging the passions and skills of three generations of women: grandmother, mother and daughter. Together, Angela Pini, Monica Aiazzi and Benedetta Nistri design and handcraft women's bags. Based in Prato, one of the world capitals of fabric production, they are part of a great tradition, defining the identity of the city. Furthermore, “the importance of recycling and reuse, of which Prato was a pioneer in unsuspecting times, is part of our DNA,” they say. Even the name of the brand, Giratine, comes from Tuscany, where it means 'slow walks for leisure', "something we all missed during the lockdowns due to the Covid pandemic." It was exactly in that suspended time that the idea of the brand was born, in 2020. “We believe in the value of time, in the importance of slowness,” says Benedetta.

Interview

©Ludovica BARONE

©Ludovica BARONE

How was the Giratine project born?: Benedetta: During the pandemic, in 2020, we had a lot of time. I am a singer so I had to stop working, and my mum started making bags for her friends. I thought her creations deserved greater visibility, so I showed them on social media. Then we involved my grandmother, who has experience in the field. That is how the brand was born.
How are your tasks divided?: Monica: Angela sews, I design and take care of manual finishing touches, and Benedetta is above all focused on social networks, website, marketing and communication. Benedetta and I are also dedicated to the choice of fabrics and the design of the collections.
What are your educational backgrounds?: Angela: I was a professional seamstress, I had my own women's tailoring business, where I made everything from skirts to wedding dresses. Monica has always been very passionate about embroidery, crochet, sewing, patchwork. Benedetta is a singer who has always been fond of arts and crafts.
What are the sources of inspiration of three generations?: Benedetta: Our source of inspiration is the elegance of the 1950s and 1960s, the femininity and attention to detail typical of those years. Our aim is to create bags that enrich modern and minimal outfits. Luckily we are very close to each other and our ideas and taste coincide.

Angela Pini, Benedetta Nistri & Monica Aiazzi are expert artisans: they began their career in 1955