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As I mentioned in passing in my last post (it was just in the Italian portion) and as you might have seen in social media, I spent last week in Vicenza, at the "Abilmente" creative fair.
You might also have already read a summary of this experience by Silvia's, Sasha's, Eléonore's or Pauline's, but it just didn't feel right not to share myself a few words on this incredible time!
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I was invited along Silvia, Sasha and Annika to accompany a few foreign indie pattern designers: Deer and Doe, Aime comme Marie, Pauline Alice and Compagnie M. Because indie patterns are not known at all here (everyone either uses sewing magazines or knows how to draft patterns themselves), we were supposed to provide help with the language barrier and to physically demonstrate how these patterns works.
I didn't sew a lot while I was there (I made a Belladone dress and started a Chardon skirt), but much to my surprise, I loved being in contact with people (a lot of them!) all day. I'm not a people person at all, so I really wasn't expecting this, but as Sasha has cleverly remarked herself, I am SO passionate about this topic that I really wanted to pass it on to other people, so much so that I didn't even care about endless hours on my feet without eating or going to the bathroom.
It was such a great feeling! Very reassuring, and a big boost of self confidence, I must admit.
But if this wasn't enough, the best part of these days was spending so much time around people I've wanted to meet for a long time, and who have immediately felt like old friends.
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Eléonore, of course, was the person I was most anxious to meet in person, having virtually known her and emailed with her weekly for almost 5 years. We're both a bit shy and awkward, so our chemistry wasn't 100% there, but we could both feel the deep mutual respect and admiration we've been building up for all these years.
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Silvia is a force of nature! She was so kind to me, giving me lifts on her car everyday. I felt immediately at ease with her, as if I had known her for a long time, and I treasured every moment spent with her.
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Pauline is even cuter in person, if you can believe it (she looks like a porcelain doll!), and calm, witty, and professional... Can you tell I have a bit of a girl crush?
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Annika - Source |
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Sasha and I - Source |
Sasha is relatively new to the blogging sphere, but so incredibly talented. We couldn't believe some of the things she has sewn since she first sat in front of a sewing machine 10 months ago, she has amazing skills and unbelievable taste. Go take a look at her blog, NOW!
Annika, so calm and poised, was the perfect companion for those rare breaks we took.
Annika, so calm and poised, was the perfect companion for those rare breaks we took.
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Marie (on the right) and her amazing friend Flavia - Source |
I also have developed a major girl crush on the ever-smiling Marie, whose patterns, I must admit, I've never tried. I now appreciate their simplicity and sense of modern, urban style.
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Marte made an incredible impression on all of us, always having the best ideas (like those bottles of Prosecco to celebrate the last day :D ), great marketing skills and such a lovable, down to earth personality.
Finally, I had the chance of meeting in person Gaia Segattini, one of the biggest name of the online Italian creativity... She's an amazing woman, and I love her sense of humour (and her style)!
I left Vicenza feeling so positive and energized, it was truly incredible.
And of course, I wasn't empty handed:
- Since Aime comme Marie also offers patterns for men, I decided to try something new and I got the "Aime comme Matelot" pattern, which is a Henley shirt with two button variations. I knew my boyfriend wears this kind of shirt, but to my huge disappointed, he didn't seem too excited by it... See what happens when you leave the path of selfish sewing? Maybe I should have gotten the shirt pattern...Anyway, I'll definitely let you know as it goes and I'll definitely make him model for the blog, wejust need to find the time to go fabric shopping together...
- I've wanted the Turia dungarees pattern by Pauline Alice ever since it came out, but since I knew I was going to meet her in person, I decided to wait and have it hand-delivered by the designer! In fact, I was Pauline's first client on the first day of Abilmente! :) I love this pattern I can't wait to try it!In the end, I couldn't resist and I also got the Ninot jacket pattern... The samples Pauline had with her in Vicenza were so gorgeous (I'm especially in love with the green one with the fur collar), I knew I would regret not buying it.
- I didn't know Compagnie M. before this experience, but I fell in love immediately with Marte's original and eye-catching designs. I took home the Charles pants, the Julia sweater and the Lotta dress for my niece (hoping I'll manage to involve her mum in the sewing process!).
- I finally got the chance to put my hands on Peggy Journal, a new creative Italian magazine, and to also met some of their staff. This magazine is chucked full of great ideas, wonderful photography and general awesomeness, I'm in love. The next issue is out in November, I can't wait!
- I met two girls from the Burdastyle Italia team and they not only didn't hit me for all the mean things I write in my review, but they also gave me the November issue so I could review it! Joking aside, it was really nice to meet them, I wish I had more time to talk to them about the magazine! Expect a review (unbiased) next week!
- Finally, this costed me a few strange looks from people, but I took home the sign that was over Deer and Doe's booth, and I'm so glad I did! It barely fit in my suitcase, so it wasn't too crazy to take home, and I can't wait to have a bigger space to hang it in!Also, in a corner, you can see the delicious violet flavored candy that Eléonore gave me as a present... such a thoughtful gift (and very well suited to my taste... yum!). Thank you, girl!
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I want to thank all the wonderful people mentioned above, as well as our coordinators Gioia and Roberta, our technical support from SVP (Andrea and Claudio in particular) and all the people who stopped by my table to say "hello" and to hear me talk for a little bit. Some of them knew me from the blog, some of them got interested and told me they would pass by here... Anyway, it was a real pleasure to meet all of you, and I can only hope this was just the first of many, many experiences of this kind!