Gloria Trevisani, a fashion expert with over twenty years of experience, created Opificio Modenese in 2016 to help women feel beautiful and confident. The name comes from the Latin word "Opificio," meaning "artisan," and "Modenese," which connects to her hometown of Modena, Italy. Gloria also leads Crea-Si, a company that blends traditional handcrafting with modern technology to make high-quality clothing. With the help of her dedicated team, every piece of clothing is carefully designed and made at their headquarters in Carpi, Modena.

The brand focuses on creating unique, comfortable clothes that fit all body types. In 2018, Opificio Modenese started using Sensitive® fabric, a sustainable material made in Italy that’s easy to care for, stretchy, and super comfy. By 2020, they launched the Essentials collection—a capsule wardrobe designed to make dressing simple and stylish. Today, the brand uses only eco-friendly fabrics, staying true to its mission of making women feel confident while being kind to the planet.

In our interview, Gloria shares how she stays connected with millennials, keeps up with the times, and ensures her designs resonate with modern women.

Read the full interview with Gloria Trevisani below.

Mature Magazine: Opificio Modenese was founded on the idea of making women feel beautiful and confident. How do you think your designs resonate with millennial and Gen Z women in today’s fashion landscape?

Gloria Trevisani: I believe that the aesthetic concepts behind Opificio Modenese’s designs can be relevant to different generations, including those mentioned. Feeling confident not only enhances the appearance of a person but also impacts personal and professional relationships positively. The sense of comfort and ease that comes from wearing a well- designed, comfortable garment puts women in a state of “openness” toward those around them.

Mature: Sustainability is a huge priority for younger generations. How do you balance ethical production with high-fashion aesthetics to create something truly unique?

Gloria: Ethical production has many sides. If we want to be honest and transparent with our audience, we can say that our team is making a great effort to find a balance among all these aspects. For example, we will never compromise on child labour or the respect for our workers, and we maintain a short, carefully controlled supply chain. On the purely aesthetic side, we are highly attentive to eco-design.

Mature: Social media has changed the way brands connect with their audience. How has Opificio Modenese adapted to this shift, and how do you engage with your customers online?

Gloria: We pay close attention to customers who shop online, striving to build a relationship with them to understand whether the garments they receive meet their expectations. Beyond simply seeking positive reviews, we want to understand how they can help us improve our product.

Mature: Can you walk us through the design process—from the initial concept to the final piece? How do you merge traditional craftsmanship with modern technology in your creations?

Gloria: We focus on crafting and designing garments with great care, incorporating small solutions that enhance their performance when worn. We are also meticulous about the proportions of non-visible parts—such as the depth of pockets or reinforcements in certain areas to improve fit. In terms of technology, we regularly use 3D modeling to avoid unnecessary production and waste. A 3D-rendered garment allows us to detect and refine details before physical production.

Mature: What inspires the silhouettes and structures of your designs? Do you draw from specific eras, art movements, or cultural influences?

Gloria: Our latest collections draw inspiration from specific countries, and from there, the creative process begins to take shape. Inspiration comes from many sources—I love visiting fashion archives, which we have plenty of in Italy. Seeing how garments were designed 50 years ago sparks interesting ideas. A photograph of natural elements might suggest an unexpected color combination, while an abstract painting can inspire very feminine shapes.

Mature: With Crea-Si’s deep experience in luxury fashion, what key design principles do you always uphold, regardless of trends?

Gloria: Our collections always include a significant focus on dresses, as I believe they are essential pieces that greatly simplify a woman’s outfit choices. With the right dress for a person’s body shape, a major part of the outfit decision is already solved. In fact, after several collections, I even considered creating an entire collection dedicated just to dresses!

Mature: In 2018, you introduced Sensitive fabric as part of your commitment to sustainability. How do you see the future of sustainable fashion evolving, and what innovations are you most excited to explore?

Gloria: The biggest challenge in sustainable fashion’s evolution is creating garments that can be fully recycled at the end of their life cycle. Material selection is the most complex aspect, and many manufacturers are making serious investments in developing low-impact fabrics. Additionally, I believe a crucial aspect of sustainability is designing garments that last over time, allowing consumers to make responsible choices and actively contribute to protecting our planet.

Mature: The Essentials collection was launched as a capsule wardrobe. How do you see the concept of minimalism and investment pieces shaping the future of fashion?

Gloria: A minimal and durable garment can be helpful for women. A minimalist piece is easy to pair with items from different seasons. I take pride in re-wearing a garment multiple times—it's up to my creativity to style it differently from season to season. A scarf, a colorful accessory, or a brooch can help reinvent how a cherished dress is worn, offering the satisfaction of discovering a new way to wear a favorite piece.

Mature: What challenges have you faced in making luxury fashion more sustainable, and how do you plan to continue pushing boundaries in this space?

Gloria: The most complex challenge is continuously researching materials and accessories that blend well together. I would love to go even further in this research, helping our customers take better care of their garments so they last longer.

Mature: What’s next for Opificio Modenese? Are there plans to expand into new markets, collaborations, or even digital fashion like virtual clothing for the Metaverse?

Gloria: We are exploring new markets with initiatives that are still too early to discuss. The digital fashion and metaverse markets are particularly intriguing, and we are investigating opportunities in this direction with Crea-Si.

Mature: What does "Mature" mean to you?

Gloria: For me and my project, “mature” means having the ability to make choices based just on my inner confidence and intuition, rather than external fashion dictates or trends. “Mature” also means being able to enjoy my work despite the responsibilities that come with my role.

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