Tell us a bit more about your background and your current work:

I studied Chinese at university and lived in New Zealand, China, the UK, and the USA. I decided to move back to Italy as I wanted to reconnect to my roots and heritage while in the process of building YALI, my brand, which I started dreaming about when I lived in Beijing. There are three strong elements on which my brand is based on and inspired by: my Italian heritage and growing up around arts and culture; my love of Chinese crafts and history, which I studied and researched during university and my time living in China; and my love of freedom, the world, and the constant research into forwardness–which I was particularly exposed to during my time living in NYC. 

YALI is a celebration of what I’ve seen and what I’ve felt when living in China. I really wanted to reproduce that feeling when I was creating the brand. I also wanted to find a romantic way to celebrate the old way of thrifting–traveling to different countries and picking things that were unique and in the style of that country. It’s a way of going on an adventure. 

Why did you choose to stay in Italy?

I moved back to Italy because I missed the style I had seen growing up–translated into clothes, obviously, but also interiors, art, easy travels (road trips on the weekends and going to the beach for the day), being spontaneous and cooking last minute dinners, and non-curated table settings, travels, and outfits. I’m very much inspired by reconnecting with all these things. 

What do you see for the future of the fashion industry in Italy?

People are looking for good quality clothes that are unique. I don’t believe that those luxury brands are going to be able to keep up. They’re pumping out in a very media-driven, celebrity-driven way. It feels almost like Disney world. The shows are insane. But people can’t relate to that anymore. People want to see newness but in a way that’s connected to roots. It will be more about what the real people want. I think people are going back and wanting to have less clothes but very good quality. 

What are the greatest obstacles that you face working in this country?

Italy has a slower work rhythm, and it’s harder to make things happen. People are less willing to help younger businesses grow and it lacks mentorship; this is a concept that Italians still struggle on.