VITALINA GHINZELLI: FASHION FOR THE FEARLESS

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN TFW TIMES MAGAZINE | ISSUE JUN 2025

Article Published on: 05TH AUG 2025 | www.thailandfashionweek.org 

In the charming town of Antônio Prado, nestled in Southern Brazil's rolling hills, a young girl named Vitalina Ghinzelli discovered her calling among the vibrant threads of her Italian heritage. Surrounded by the rich traditions passed down through generations, creativity became her sanctuary. She would sit mesmerized for hours, watching her mother's skilled hands transform yarn into intricate crochet patterns & fabric into beautiful quilts. What others might discard as scraps, Vitalina saw as possibilities, carefully collecting her mother's leftover materials to craft elaborate doll clothes with meticulous attention to detail.

Her artistic passion extended far beyond needle and thread. From painting to various crafts, young Vitalina constantly bubbled with ideas, sketching elegant dress designs and sharing her visions with her mother. Even at twelve, when she took her first job organizing files and answering phones at a local dental office, she demonstrated the discipline that would later fuel her entrepreneurial journey.

The pivotal moment that would shape her aesthetic vision came through a television screen. Watching Princess Diana's timeless grace and impeccable style, Vitalina found her muse. The Princess's classic elegance, always refined yet approachable, perfectly mirrored the aspirations growing within the young Brazilian's heart.

However, the path to following her dreams proved challenging. Her family, rooted in practicality, viewed fashion as an unstable career choice. Reluctantly, Vitalina pursued business administration, though her heart remained with fabrics and design. For years, she worked tirelessly as a waitress and in various service industry roles, independently supporting herself while feeling deeply unfulfilled. Later, she joined her family's construction business, but the creative fire within her refused to be extinguished.

Determined to transform her passion into expertise, Vitalina saved diligently and embarked on a life-changing journey to Europe. In the South of France and London, she apprenticed under renowned milliners, mastering the ancient art of hat-making. Every stitch taught her something new, every technique refined her growing craft.

Returning to the United States, Vitalina rejoined the family business but also began designing again with renewed purpose. She carefully sourced luxurious materials from around the world, creating elegant hats that seamlessly blended classic foundations with modern flair. This dual existence – managing practical work by day while pursuing creative passion by night – eventually gave birth to something truly extraordinary.

Today, Vitalina Ghinzelli stands as more than just a brand name; it represents a testament to unwavering determination and the power of following one's authentic vision. Each meticulously crafted piece tells the remarkable story of transformation, from humble fabric scraps in a Brazilian childhood to the sophisticated European ateliers where she honed her craft. The brand's mission remains beautifully simple yet profound: to crown every wearer with timeless elegance and bring genuine joy through carefully created pieces that honor both rich tradition and bold contemporary innovation.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OF VITALINA GHINZELLI WITH TFW TIMES

Q: What inspired the creation of the Vitalina Ghinzelli brand, and what drew you specifically to the art of hat-making?

A. Fashion and creativity have always been at the heart of who I am. For years, I conformed to the expectations of family and society and took the conventional path of seeking "secure" everyday work.

But, there was always a nagging in my soul to do more. I started to investigate ways to blend my interests in crafting, horses and style into a meaningful endeavor. For a start I began designing & making hats as my first collection, developing a comprehensive brand by steadily expanding across multiple categories.

Q: How would you describe the essence of a Vitalina Ghinzelli hat in just three words?

A. Unique, elegant, quality

· Unique: Most of my hats are one-of-a-kind, often featuring bold designs like the Blue Violin, wearable sculptures.

· Quality: Each piece is meticulously made by hand, emphasizing artisanal skill and attention to detail.

· Elegant: Inspired by figures like Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy, their sophistication and style.

Q: Each hat is handcrafted—what does that process look like from concept to final creation?

A. Starting with a design concept, followed by selecting quality materials, hand-stitching for precision, and, in some projects, specially wearable sculptures

I have to add a pinch of glue to ensure durability, resulting in a unique, high-quality final product.

Q: The Kate and Leo hats have such distinct personalities. How do you approach the design of each piece to ensure it tells its own story?

A. The Leo hat, with its modern, asymmetrical design, is crafted to embody a bold, contemporary vibe using it's sharp angles, while the Kate hat, in a classic style, tells a timeless story through its elegant, wide-brimmed shape, delicate organza bow, I try to create different styles to varied customer needs.

Q: What role do materials like parasisal straw and satin organza play in shaping the brand's aesthetic?

A. It is like blending natural, artisanal charm with refined elegance.

Parasisal straw, derived from the MBRAZIL textilis (a type of banana tree) in the Philippines, offers a lightweight, finely woven texture that’s easy to mold, allowing for versatile, intricate designs like wide-brimmed hats or sculpted headpieces. Its natural, earthy origins contribute a rustic, authentic vibe, appealing to customers who value craftsmanship and sustainability.

Satin organza, with its sheer, glossy finish, adds a layer of sophistication and luxury, creating a polished, ethereal look suitable for high-end fashion. Together, these materials can define a brand aesthetic that balances organic simplicity with glamorous refinement.

Q: Can you walk us through the emotional or symbolic meaning behind signature design elements, like the Leo’s asymmetrical crown or the Kate's sumptuous bow?

A. Leo's asymmetrical crown, with its bold, angular rise, embodies daring individuality, evoking confidence and a break from tradition, perfect for someone redefining their path.

Kate’s sumptuous bow, flowing in soft organza, radiates joy and celebration, symbolizing a cherished moment or new beginning. Paired with the shimmering wide brim, it evokes serene elegance, and grace at a special optimistic occasion.

Q: How do you balance classic elegance with modern sophistication in your designs?

A. I balance classic elegance with modern sophistication by grounding my designs in timeless elements like the wide brims and delicate bows reminiscent of vintage couture, while introducing bold innovations, such as an asymmetrical crown or striking color contrasts. I use traditional weaving techniques with sleek, contemporary materials to create a harmonious blend, ensuring each piece feels both rooted in heritage and fresh for today, appealing to those who value tradition with a modern edge.

Q: In a world of fast fashion, what does craftsmanship mean to you and your clientele?

A. In a world of fast fashion, where trends flood out disposable pieces, craftsmanship to me means creating with intention, every weave, stitch, and shape tells a story of skill and care, like the intricate asymmetry of Leo’s crown or the hand-tied elegance of Kate’s bow. My clientele values this dedication; they seek unique, lasting pieces that feel personal and timeless, offering a meaningful contrast to mass production’s temporary charm.

Q: How important is individuality when creating your hats, and how do you ensure no two are ever the same?

A. Individuality is at the heart of my hat designs, each piece, like Leo’s daring asymmetrical crown or Kate’s lavish bow, is crafted to reflect a unique story and personality, ensuring the wearer stands out.

I achieve this through handcrafting every hat with natural materials, which naturally vary in texture and tone, so no two are ever identical. That said, if a customer desires a very similar design, I can create one, though it’ll never be 100% the same due to the organic materials and handmade process. I’ve made such similar pieces before, but I limit them, preserving the essence of exclusivity.

Q: Do you have a favorite piece you've designed so far—perhaps one that holds a personal story or memory?

A. Memories from my childhood have a profound effect on what I create, shaping every design with the wonder and curiosity I felt growing up in Antonio Prado, at the Southern part of Brazil, surrounded by Italian heritage and vibrant traditions. Among my pieces, one of my favorites is the wearable violin hat, inspired by a visit to my brother’s house where my little niece Isabella was taking violin classes.

I looked at her violin, and instantly, the idea struck me, why not transform its elegant curves into a hat? Crafting these pieces was like capturing Isabella’s passion for music in a design that resonates with my own creative journey.

Q: How do you envision someone feeling the moment they put on a Vitalina Ghinzelli hat?

A. Confidence, confidence is what I want my customers to feel every time they wear my creations.

The moment they put on a Vitalina Ghinzelli hat, for example the Leo’s daring asymmetrical crown or Kate’s elegant bow-adorned brim, I envision them standing taller, feeling empowered & unique, ready to own any room they enter with a bold, radiant presence.

Q: What influences or inspires your color and texture choices for each collection?

A. Everything, all my surroundings influences my creations; every color, texture, object, and view sparks inspiration, and I immediately imagine how I can put it as a hat.

Many times, I have to stop and write down the ideas that pop into my head so I don’t forget, whether it’s the deep emerald of a forest canopy that led to a rich, velvety crown or the cool silver of a stethoscope in a doctor’s office that inspired a sleek, metallic-trimmed brim.

My collections are a reflection of the world I see, reimagined through my lens.

Q: Your hats have a regal quality—are there particular historical or royal fashion figures that influence your work?

A. Yes, I’ve always been inspired by the regal elegance of royal fashion figures. I remember when I was very little, seeing Princess Diana on TV and thinking how pretty she was, with a beautiful hat perfectly matching her dress. That image stayed with me, and it influences my designs today, as I aim to create hats that evoke the same sense of timeless grace and harmony, making every customer feel like royalty.

Q: What challenges come with creating handcrafted luxury hats in today’s market, and how do you overcome them?

A. The challenge of creating handcrafted luxury hats today lies in the time-intensive nature of the craft, which clashes with the fast pace of trends, and in building a loyal client base in a market flooded with mass-produced options, especially when sometimes I have only one chance to prove my product’s value.

I overcome this by designing timeless pieces that defy fleeting trends, ensuring each hat feels special. I pour my heart into every piece I create, so each hat shines as a testament to quality and artistry from the first moment it’s seen.

Q: What’s next for Vitalina Ghinzelli? Are there new materials, collaborations, or design directions on the horizon?

A. I’m currently working on a dress collection to bring the same elegance my hats embody, and I might add shoes to create a cohesive look. My next step is to incorporate materials that tell a story, sourced from small cooperatives, reflecting my commitment to ethical craftsmanship like traditional artisans from my hometown in Antonio Prado, infusing their techniques into my designs.

Additionally, I’m exploring collaborations with event organizers to create exclusive pieces for fashion shows, allowing me to showcase my work on a larger stage and reach a broader audience.

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