Inspiring Women Magazine September 2023

sporting different looks, wearing pants, shirts,
jackets and more that I had “designed”. It was mere
coincidence that during those months I had been
thinking about maternity wear and how I could not
find anything I liked for various reasons: style, quality
and price. Those sketches, made with childhood
creativity, awakened something within me and forced
me to question many things in my professional and
personal life. With
Alex’s help, I left
Brioni in the fall
of 2021 and the
brainstorming
began. We
researched
materials, fabrics,
and production
partners while
forming a business
plan that would
eventually become
Eliot - a family name
from Alex's side of
the family that he
shares as a middle
name with both of
Two childhood sketches
where the “seeds” of Eliot
grew (left)
our daughters. My mother-in-law spoke to me
of earlier Eliot women who were strong-willed
and independent (in an era where that was
not common). While the brand is Eliot, the
website and the Instagram account are
gteliot (Giulia, Tea). I like to think that our
girls seeing us build something of our own
is educational and inspirational. In the end
we are doing it for them. I also liked how it
sounded phonetically: short and can be
pronounced well in multiple languages.
As with many startups, the first months were
tough: a whirlwind of fabric samples, logo
design, product sketches, sample production
and testing, accompanied by a roller coaster
of emotions from doubt to euphoria. We had
underestimated the effort it would require
to get attention and eyes on our project.
Sales were not constant, marketing costs
were high and we had doubts that we would
be able to gain traction. The key has been to
keep going, constantly “planting seeds” that
eventually would yield results. Perseverance
and dedication have paid off and continue to
do so.
Mariachiara and her sister, Manuela, near
their childhood home of Cortina D'Ampezzo.
Photo taken by Mariachiara's father. (below)
These first two years of Eliot have been a
rewarding yet challenging uphill battle. I have
learned a lot, not only about our market and
niche, but also about myself. My wish is for Eliot
to continue to grow and prosper while keeping
our founding values of quality, sustainability
and uniqueness.
Tell us about your earliest experience
with fashion.
My experience with fashion began around the
age of nine when I decided to buy myself a
beautiful notebook with my pocket money so
that I could draw and bring to life to all the ideas
I had in my mind ... thus starting to give free
rein to my creativity! I stole all the glossy fashion
magazines from my aunts and studied them for
hours, dreaming and trying to imagine my line!
What does “fashion” mean to you?
Such a simple yet difficult and complex question
to answer briefly! While I think this definition
has changed for me over the years, presently I
believe that fashion should put the needs and
wants of the person wearing it before the
impressions of those observing it (not that those
aren’t important as well). In short, it means that
clothing should transmit a feeling of freedom,
confidence and well-being to the person
wearing it that I believe will be transmitted to
the “outside” world. While fashion should also
be daring and not afraid to go outside the box,
the energy, radiance and confidence of a woman
at ease is the best “dress” one can have!
What three items belong in every woman’s
wardrobe and why?
A wardrobe should be a mix of functional,
practical and comfortable with a pinch of
aspirational/dream. With that in mind, in every
wardrobe of a woman there must be:
1. A dress that makes her dream …
(and I'm working on it!)
2. A piece that is her comfort zone, that she
can't wait to wear as soon as she can to feel
pampered (I started from this idea with Eliot!)
3. A timeless classic item that can be worn
with anything: the T-shirt!
How can a person be both fashionable and
still make good choices for the environment?
All women aspire to be elegant and fashionable
and, without understanding the true meaning
of this term, they buy (and throw away!) tons
of clothes, bags and shoes in a lifetime as they
chase different trends. Then a woman arrives
at a dinner wearing a perfect classic that is in
harmony with her essence and everyone
notices her. Why? Because true elegance is
within us: in our gestures, way of speaking
and how we are with others. If we look good in
our clothes, we will always be elegant and
fashionable. This can be achieved by buying
fewer quality pieces that can be used in various
outfits or by adding small accessories or
modifications to older clothes. Avoid cheap fast
fashion clothes that are usually thrown away
after one season, and don’t be afraid to “play”
with your wardrobe!
How have your fashion choices changed
through the years?
No more corsets, lace, complicated long dresses
and enough with impulsive purchases in the
big low-cost chains. I favor a functional and
minimalist wardrobe that makes me feel free to
move, live and love!
As I mentioned before, I find myself buying (and
thinking of/creating) pieces that have simple,
soft lines that rest on the body and let skin
breathe. This brings me to another important
point which is fabric selection and quality. Many
brands that I once favored I would not buy from
now. Why? The fabric used just does not feel
good on my skin. Before worrying about how
others will see me, I need to feel comfortable!
How can fashion adapt to different body types?
Fashion must be for everyone! That's why I love
simple and soft lines that, leaning gently on
the body, enhance it and make it even more
beautiful. There is no perfect size, but there is a
model of dress that can fit all, and this is what I
continue to study and research in my work with
Eliot. Furthermore, I think that it is the individual
who must adapt their fashion choices to their
body. Sizing is subjective to the person wearing
it. Forget about what the size label says and
judge a piece of clothing on how it looks and
makes you feel when you wear it.
What advice would you give to a woman who
wants to dress well, desires quality clothing,
but must remain on a budget?
Buy in a targeted way and discover the three
words that define your style. First ask “Who am
I? What do I like? Why do I like it?” If you don't
know how to answer, first see what you have in
the closet, what word would you use to define
the things you wear every day? For me that word
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