(Transcript
translated)
Who is Antonella Rossi? Could you tell us about your current company?
Beginning
professionally as a tailor in the family, from 1950 in Empoli, in a
drapery shop run by Rino Rossi and Anna Fabiani Rossi. Together with my sister
Lina, I created my first collection of hand-made and embroidered couture bridal
gowns called “AnnaLina”. We use the art of cutting and embroidery; elements
that have always characterized the production in the workshop, which is now in
its third generation. This is a tailor shop where the search for fabrics, fancy
embroidery, love for lace, and the frills and ruffles are the rouches and volants and the key features in the construction of a dress. Be
it wedding, cocktail or ceremonial; we use traditions handed down over time,
with pride, from mother to daughter.
Today the Antonella
Rossi brand is present in many countries. This is with the help of my three
daughters, Erika, Anna and Julia. The distribution is in selected,
upmarket shops, scattered around Europe, the United
States , the Middle East and China
The workshop, located
in a charming building in the heart of Rome
Strong points: the lines
are wrapped and sexy, using soft and delicate fabrics like jersey and
lightweight satin or taffeta, and the Mikado
Can you separate your public and private lives; can you disconnect from
work or is it with you 100% of the time?
During working hours, my work absorbs me completely and I am unable to attend to my personal life. In my free time though, I devote myself to my passions: painting, sculpture, music and theatre.
During working hours, my work absorbs me completely and I am unable to attend to my personal life. In my free time though, I devote myself to my passions: painting, sculpture, music and theatre.
How has your job changed since you started?
I started to work early because I
found myself catapulted from morning to evening, having had
a significant loss in the family, I tried to follow my way
of doing business by associating the concept of art,
fashion and culture. The biggest change occurred in the last two years
because the aim of my project is to gain visibility abroad and thus open up new
markets.
What are the biggest problems in running a business as an entrepreneur?
The main problem is
access to credit facilities and European funding: Unfortunately in this
society, the entrepreneur is often alone and has to deal with an important
sense of responsibility towards people who work for them. So two aspects:
difficulty finding investments for growth and sense of responsibility toward employees.
You've been struck by the "disease of the century." Do
you want to talk about this? And especially how it changed your relationship
with your work?
Regarding this
question my answer is "yes", it has changed my relationship with work,
both physically and financially: surely I can testify on both issues that I
came out stronger and more determined.
What are the future projects for your company?
The biggest project
that I'm pursuing right now is to present the Antonella Rossi brand as a brand of
the world.
This question is quite rhetorical but inevitable: that this country
needs to become modern? Especially
that politicians should?
From my point of
view, the way in which the Italian system was brought forward does not
work. To improve our country's system we should leverage on what we are good at:
tourism, cuisine, the arts, and, last but not least, fashion. Fashion is where
I wish to move up to place me in an important position amongst the small and
medium enterprises in crafts and ultimately, our story will be… The
excellence of MADE IN ITALY.
You live in Rome Rome
Coming from a
situation where one breathes the Tuscan Renaissance, living in Rome Eternal
City
A word of advice to young people who are looking for work
The
youth are our future and our hope. I would advise them to study and enter
the workforce during university to pursue the goal they have set; always aim
high; and that any job will do.
