Q&A with Totally H
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Introducing Totally.H, the newest addition to The Shelter. Discover handcrafted artisanal knitwear, created by Florentine designer Ombretta Pinzauti. Strictly stitched by hand, needles or crocheted by Tuscan craftswomen, TOTALLY.H is real life style, lived with totality and fullness, with intensity, generosity and passion.
To welcome the brand to The Shelter, we put together a little Q/A with designer Ombretta to learn more about her style and what she's is all about. Keep reading to find out more.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I have always been very fascinated and curious about life. When I was around twenty, I decided to look outside my familiar area by going on a trip to London. From there the journey expanded. I have travelled, lived and worked around the world from London to the rest of Europe, North and South America, and the East. I lived a few years in India and in Tokyo... the place I’ve not visited yet it’s just Oceania... After about 17/18 years of travelling. I passed by Italy for a visit, a short visit like many other times, and I found myself in front of a ‘sliding door’, a very important designer for knitwear at that time, attracted by the sweaters I was wearing, asked me to collaborate with him. And so a new chapter of my life began. - Ombretta"
What makes your knitwear unique?
I think it's unique because each piece is completely hand-knitted or crocheted and then treated with foil or spraying or other technical treatments that make the product even more unique: really artisanal.
Can you describe the look of your ideal silhouette?
I think there isn't exactly look for TOTALLY.H items. I think you can wear them on an evening look or on a pair of jeans. What makes the difference is the attitude you wear it with. Example 'you take your child to school in the morning and you wear a TOTALLY.H jacket which is easy to wear but you’ll look different from everybody else!’ Got it?
How long has your company/ brand been running?
I started this project around 2008. At the time for me it was just a ‘toy’: I was collaborating with other designers, but I needed something to fully express my ideas and not just interpret those of others. It really took shape after 10 years: in 2018. I made a clear and total choice and I dedicated myself completely to what I like and know to do
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Florence and I think of myself as a ‘fiorentina’ now I live and work in Lucca only 80 kms away.
What makes your place special to you?
Do you mean where I live now? in Lucca? Until a year ago I never even thought to come and live here. Then I found a house that I love. I began to get to know the city: it's small but it's a gem, I can go around by bicycle and go walking on the walls, what else!
What are the specialised dying techniques and printing that make your brand different?
‘Laminating’ a garment is much more challenging than dyeing, spraying, etc. because it is a process that requires more steps. The first step is to spray the silicone, a kind of glue all over the garment (or partially depending on the area we want to laminate). Then it must get completely dry (when the atmosphere is particularly humid this represents a problem). Then the garment is placed into a press at 150 degrees with the colored film above and below the garment or on the detail. Once extracted from the press and got cold, we remove the foil. In this way the colored part of the film remains attached to the garment through the silicone sprayed at the beginning. Finally the garment is washed with water and air dried. (is it clear enough?)
What is a highlight of your brand/ business to date?
It was 2019 the year just before Covid, and it seems it’s getting there again
You show your collection in Milan and now Paris Fashion Weeks - what is your favourite thing to do in Milan ? While I imagine Paris has been very busy - if you could take a day off in Paris - What is your favourite thing to do in Paris?
Both in Milan and in Paris I like spending time with friends, usually designers of other brands that we meet, share and support during the fashion week. I also like very much to go by myself for a glass of wine in Milan or Paris: it makes me feel free and strong! In Paris if I can save some ‘quality time’ I love to go to Louvre, I never get tired of it. And also walking aimlessly around the town: I love Paris!!!!
What is your personal favourite from the Shelter selection?
This is a difficult choice, I like all these brands, so I will list the real top ones GUIDI, MM6, DRKSHDW, UMA WANG.
