The time I shoot Rug-bags

About photo-shootings…A great photographer, Amarylis Cargning contacted me to make this dream happen! Her model and makeup artist did an amazing job! The pictures were supposed to be nude using just the RUG-bags to cover the body of the model. I think the results were very sexy and elegant at the same time, the pictures really highlights the quality of the bags and you can see how delicate and colorful they are. The rug fabric looks amazing and metal chain details are lighted up in a magnificent way. I just love when people is so kind to share their work with me. I still use the picture for my catalogues and publicity, because this shooting is one of the best I have collaborated to.

This collection of handbags are totally handmade with this beautiful rug fabric made of cotton, washable and durable, I made probably around 15 different bags, some of them I sold in markets here in Rome and other I still sell them online, you can see some of them here: https://it.dawanda.com/shop/j-somoza

The time I was being scammed by a “Neiman Marcus headhunter” guy

I generally get lots of collaboration requests through Facebook and emails thanks to all the sites supporting emerging designers in which I have signed in and shared my work.

Yes this actually happened! A guy name “Ronald” contacted me saying he was headhunter selecting new designers to incorporate some of their pieces for Neiman Marcus in a special project they were developing with Japanese business contacts. Certainly after reading this I went out of my mind, because that's like the golden opportunity for a designer, to have some of your garments displayed in a store as important as that one! And to finally start a production and open the door to new deals.

The worst about this thing is that I actually believed it so much that I wasn't able to think it could be a scam, I thought this was going to be my chance, but after some considerations of my family and friends, I started to doubt….

I especially had my friend in the States calling Neiman Marcus contact line to ask about my situation. To know if it was true that Ronald worked for them. Well…

They told me I was being scam. Can you believe it? Thanks God I never made the production of the 600 pieces they wanted to me to make with their Panamanian “manufacturer”. Thanks God I didn't pull out any money of my pocket for this… I just hope people like that get what they deserve in life, as for the emerging designers who are struggling with me. Keep going, just bear with it, someday we'll have our reward…

5 interesting facts about living in Rome

Everybody knows I've been living in Rome for more than 7 years now, and even if I have some love and hate relationship with it. It's impossible for me to say that it has been an incredible experience where I have grown considerably. I tried to sum up every detail in 5 interesting facts about Rome, here they are:

1.       Relax mode on: definitely everything will take longer here, education, documents, the line in the bank, even trains, but it’s not their fault it's just “la dolce vita”, so you could learn to relax and taste every bit of life!

2.       Everything could be solve if you know the right person: in some cases you can see how families and friends of friends just develop their way out of a situation, it says a lot about their political system but I mean they have a huge history what can you expect? At least if you know the right person you can get your stuff done!

3.      Exercise even if you don't want to: public transportation is terrible! So, don't even think of finding the right connections between trains or busses. Besides Rome is a city that yields to be walked, the amazing feeling of finding every time new beautiful streets to visit, so particular and unforgettable. So put your sneakers on and start walking around.

4.      Architecture: it is the magnificent of its architecture that makes Rome so welcoming and impressive at the same time, their temples, churches and monuments would leave a mark on you for life!

5.      Food and wine: The first reason of them all! Food and wine! You will not find better food than traditional Italian, thanks to the quality of flavor of their simple ingredients, eating in Italy is just an experience that you will never forget! Pasta and wine are so good that any food in the world would never taste the same!

The time I made the pagoda bags

My very first leather bag collection! I put all my effort and so much money in the creation of these bags… I used a bright weird and powerful combination of colors because I wanted them to excel from the regular stuff. The design took me weeks because when you have few money to invest you want your product to be perfect. Picking the right leather artisan was a bit difficult, all the moments of the production and post-production were really tuff but I don’t regret it! At the end they turned out to be perfect! I learned a lot with all this and they somehow have been everywhere shooting my name out loud.

Versión en Español

La mia prima Collezione di borse in pelle! Ci ho messo tutto il mio sforzo e tanti soldi nella creazione di queste borse... Ho usato una abbinamento di colori ben strano, viavace e potente perche volevo andare un po' oltre la normalità. Per il disegno ci ho messo settimane a finirlo perche di solito quando hai pochi soldi da investire vuoi che il tuo prodotto sia perfetto. Scegliere il miglior artigiano non è stato facile, tutti i momenti di produzione e post-produzione sono stati duri, ma non mi lamento! Alla fine sono venute perfette! Ho imparato tantissimo e in qualche modo le mie borse sono state ovunque a spargere il mio nome.

Versione en Italiano

Mi primera colección de carteras de piel! Puse todo mi esfuerzo y tanto dinero en la creación de estas bolsas… Utilice una combinación de colores un poco extraña, llamativa y potente porque quería salir fuera de lo común. El diseño me tomo semanas hacerlo porque cuando tienes tan poco dinero para invertir quieres que tu producto quede perfecto. Escoger el artesano justo fue algo muy difícil, toda la producción y post-producción fue muy dura, pero no me lamento! Al final todo quedó perfecto! He aprendido muchísimo y de alguna u otra manera las bolsas han estado en todos lados gritando fuerte mi nombre.

The time I cleaned the ocean

 Last summer I had the chance to participate to an event for cleaning the ocean, in the beach of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in France. I saw the diving experts and the beginners dive deep into the water to pick all the rubbish that could be dangerous to many sea species. It would be so great if we could make initiatives like this more often and internationally. What really impressed me was to see the most beautiful and huge lifeguard dog.

Versión en Español

En el verano pasado tuve la oportunidad de asistir a un evento de limpieza del océano en la playa de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat en Francia, pude ver a los expertos en buceo y los no tan expertos sumergirse en las profundidades del mar para recoger basura y escombros que pueden ser peligrosos para muchas especies marinas. Que interesante seria si esto se pudiera realizar más seguido y a nivel mundial. Lo que más me impresionó fue ver al perro salvavidas más hermoso y grande que haya visto

Versione en Italiano

Lo scorso estate ho partecipato ad un evento di pulizia del oceano, nella spiaggia di Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in Francia. Ho visto gli esperti e i principianti di immersioni subacquee che raccoglievano tutta la spazzatura dai fondali marini, spazzatura che puo essere pericolosa per tante specie. Sarebbe fantastico se facessero queste iniziative piu spesso e in tutto il mondo. La cosa che più mi è impressionato è stato vedere il cane di salvataggio piu bello e gigante che abbia mai visto.

The week I spent in Montreal

Definitely a place to come back!  Montreal is full of art everywhere! My boyfriend’s family treated us great there! We ate like crazy, I can believe how many different restaurants they have, delicious food every day I personally became fan of the bubble tea. We visited many public places, stadiums, parks, malls, mountains and the best of all the cabana à Sucre, I think I became a whale after that... Maple is the best!

Versión en Español

Montreal es definitivamente una ciudad para regresar! Las calles están llenas de arte por todos lados! La familia de mi novio nos acogió excelentemente allá, comimos como puercos. No puedo creer cuantos restaurante hay, una comida distinta todos los días, personalmente adoré el bubble tea. Visitamos parques, plazas, estadios, centros comerciales, montañas y lo mejor de todo fue la Cabana à Sucre, creo que me volví una ballena después de eso, el sirope de arce es lo máximo!

Versione en Italiano

Montreal è definitivamente un posto per tornarci! Le strade sono piene d’arte ovunque! La familia del mio ragazzo ci hanno accolto benissimo là, abbiamo mangiato come maiali. Non posso credere quanti ristoranti ci sono, cibo diverso tutti giorni, personalmente ho amato il bubble tea. Abbiamo visitato piazze, parchi, stadium, centri comerciali, montagne e la cosa migliore di tutte è stata la Cabana à Sucre, sono diventata una ballena dopo quello. Lo sciroppo d’accero è fantastico!

The time I almost won a bag contest

 Another great contest in which I had participated, the one of the roman atelier Sorelle Fontane.

There were lots of designers participating I can believe I was in the final 3! I had the chance not just to make the Bag design inspired by the Dresses of the atelier, I realized the actual bag with my own hands, the design was shown in Vogue.it, my name in the Newspaper and my Bag displayed in the Maxxi Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome for the final event. I remember this contest as one of the reasons that turned up my love for fashion leather bags.

Versión en Español

Otro gran concurso en el cual participe fue el del atelier romano Sorelle Fontane.

Fueron muchísimos los diseñadores que participaron, todavía no creo que llegue a los últimos 3 finalistas! Tuve la oportunidad no solo de diseñar la bolsa sino que también la realice con mis propias manos, el diseño fue presentado en Vogue.it, mi nombre salió en el periódico, y la bolsa estuvo en exhibición en el Museo de Arte Contemporánea Maxi en Roma para el evento final. Este concurso lo recuerdo mucho porque fue uno de los que incentivó la pasión por el diseño de bolsa de cuero.

Versione en Italiano

Un altro cocorso in cui ho partecipato, quello del atelier romano Sorelle Fontane.

Sono stati tanti i designer che hanno partecipato, non posso credere che sono arrivata fino ai primi 3! Ho avuto l’opportunità non solo di disegnare la borsa ma anche realizzarla con le mie mani, il Design è stato presentato in Vogue.it, il mio nome è uscito sul giornale e la borsa è stata in mostra al Museo de Arte Contemporanea di Roma Maxxi per l’evento finale. Questo concorso lo ricordo molto perche è stato uno di quelli che ha acceso la fiamma per il mio amore perle borse in pelle.

The time I made a crowdfunding project for me to go to Vancouver Fashion Week

A crowdfunding campaign it’s one of the best ways to help grow your business or to make your dream come true, in my case! Thanks to all the people that helped me, the ones that supported me economically and the ones who shared the video every time they could, thanks to all of them I could participate to Vancouver Fashion week and pay some of the travel expenses. Something I would never forget! The making of the video was a blast and it was so funny to do, I was so tired because of the actual making of the collection that I can believe it turned out great. You should give it a try to crowdfunding online campaigns to reach your goals!

Versión en Español

La campaña de recolección de fondos es una de las mejores formas de hacer crecer tu negocio o en mi caso hacer cumplir tus sueños! Gracias a toda la gente que me ayudo, a aquellos que me apoyaron económicamente y aquellos que compartían el video cada vez que podían, gracias a todos ellos pude participar a la semana de la moda de Vancouver y pagar algunos de los gastos. Es algo que nunca podré olvidar! La realización del video fue genial, un vacilón, y eso que estaba continuamente cansada por la colección que no puedo creer que a la final todo salió espectacular. Deberías probar a hacer una campaña de recolección de fondos para lograr tus metas!

Versione en Italiano

Una campagna di colletta di fondi è una delle megliore forme di far crescere il tuo business oppure nel mio caso far avverare il tuo sogno! Grazie a tutte le persone che mi hanno aiutato, quelli che hanno appoggiato economicamente e quelli che condividevano il video tutte le volte che potevano. Grazie a tutti loro Io ho potuto partecipare alla settimana della moda di Vancouver e pagare alcune delle spese. È una cosa che non dimenticherò mai! La realizzazione del video è stata geniale, molto divertente, anche se ero sempre stanca per occuparmi della collezzione non ci posso ancora credere che alla fine è venuto un risultato cosi perfetto. Potresti provare a fare una campagna crowdfunding per raggiungere i tuoi obiettivi

The time I showcased my collection at Vancouver Fashion week

Every time I think about this event, I feel like crying. I have so many people to thank for it. From the day I receive the invitation I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do it, because of the time pressure and the low budget I had for fabrics, travel expenses and all. Well I made the decision and took the risk to make a 12 outfit collection and traveled to Canada for the Vancouver Fashion Week. Thanks to the crowdfunding campaign I started and the care of the fashion institute where I studied and so many people that helped me to make my dream come true. I was amazed by the organization and the great people I met there!

Now you can check my past Fall/Winter Womenswear and accessories Collection 2016 on the pages of VOGUE, ELLE and more other famous magazines, I even had the chance to be interviewed by metro Vancouver. And Ozonico Radio of Montreal.

Versión en Español

Cada vez que pienso en este evento se me aguan los ojos, es tanta la gente que tengo que agradecer! Desde que recibí la invitación pensé que no sería capaz de lograrlo con tan poco tiempo y sin dinero para comprar telas ni para los gastos del viaje. Bueno al final tome la decisión y me arriesgue. Realice los 12 vestidos de la colección y viaje a Canadá para participar en la Semana de la Moda de Vancouver. Gracias a la campaña de recolección de fondos que lancé, a la academia de modas donde estudié y a tanta gente que quiso ayudarme para que realizara mi sueño. Me quede sorprendida con la organización del evento y la gente maravillosa que conocí allá.

Ahora pueden ver mi última colección de ropa y accesorios otoño/invierno en las páginas de VOGUE, ELLE y otras revistas famosas. También fui entrevistada para el periódico Metro Vancouver y en la radio Ozonico de Montreal.

Versione en Italiano

Ogni volta che penso a questo evento mi viene voglia di piangere, tanta gente a cui ringraziare! Dal momento che ho ricevuto la invitazione pensavo di non farcela, perche avevo tropo poco tempo, pochi soldi per comprare tessuti e per le spese del viaggio. Eh beh alla fine ho presso la decisione, ho fatto i 12 vestiti de la mia collezione e ho viaggiato in Canada per participare alla Settimana della Moda di Vancouver. Grazie a la campagna di finanziamento che ho lanciato, al aiuto della accademia dove ho ho studiato e tanta gente che mi ha voluto dare una mano per realizzare il mio sogno. Sono rimasta stupita con l’organizazione del evento e la gente meravigliosa che ho conosciuto là.

Ora potete guardare la mia collezine Pret à porter donna e accessori Autunno/Inverno sulle pagine di VOGUE, ELLE e altre reviste famose. Sono uscita ache sul giornale Metro Vancouver e alla radio Ozonico de Montreal. 

The time terrorists attacked Nice while I was there studying French

An entire month full of grammar and conferences in French at the Nice Sophia Antipolis University. I think I have seen everything I had not seen in a year of a French course I took  in Rome. Too much information for my head!
Actually the attacks that have passed have ruined my will of staying and it's too sad to think about that but I feel truly happy that I have done this experience! I’ve met the nicest teachers and even if I am not very good with the language I think I’ve learned a lot.

Versión en Español

Un mese intensivo di gramatica e conferenze in francese nella Università di Nice Sophia Antipolis. Penso che ho visto tutto quello che non avevo mai visto in un anno al corso di francese a Roma. Troppa informazione da capire nella mia testa!

Veramente gli attentati terroristi che sono passati mi hanno rovinato un po la voglia di restare, è terribile a solo pensarci ma sono contenta che ho fatto questa esperienza! Ho conosciuto delle professore fantastiche e anche se non sono molto brava con la lingua penso che ho imparato tantisimo.

Versione en Italiano

Un mes intensivo lleno de gramática y conferencias en francés en la Universidad de Nice Sophia Antipolis. Pienso que he visto todo lo que no había visto en un año de curso en Roma. Demasiada información en mi cabeza!

Realmente creo que los atentados terroristas que pasaron me arruinaron un poco las ganas de quedarme, es muy triste solo pensar en eso, pero estoy muy contenta de haber vivido esta experiencia! He conocido profesoras geniales y aunque no soy muy buena en el idioma pienso que he aprendido muchísimo!