Creative Minds: Lodovica Fusco

Trieste is a small city, however one can find many hidden treasures when walking down its small paved streets. That’s what happened to me when I discovered Combine’ and got to know Lodovica Fusco. I had found a treasure. Lodovica is designing her own jewelry line since 2012, called COLLANEVrosi and is co-curating and sharing with two other female creatives Combine’, an innovative space which functions as a studio, shop and exhibition space. Lodovica’s exciting designs and creative energy truly inspire us and we are more than happy to host her today on our Creative Minds Series to talk about artistic collaboration, her latest collection and the importance of handmade goods.

Let’s start with a bit about your background. You come from a background in theatre studies, how did you end up designing your own jewelry line?

I always had a passion for the world of contemporary jewelry and my dad, an artist, has transmitted to me the manual skills, to make them. While in university, I worked with a designer of jewels that works with glass and the desire to touch the materials, study them and express myself through them has always been there. Bringing all this together, I naturally turned towards what I am today and my brand.

You are now working in and curating Combine’, can you tell us about this innovative space?

Combine’ is a space which was born naturally. Me and Nika, a photographer, had started collaborating and our next step was to find an atelier that would function both as a studio/laboratory, but also as an exposition space. After a while, Alice, a graphic designer, united her forces with ours and the union has been perfect. Apart from that, we understood that our beautiful space, could also be used to offer visibility to other young designers and artists, because the exchange of ideas and inspirations is what, in the end, keeps you going and everything around you.

Do you think artists and creatives get more ‘powerful’ through collaboration?

Our collaboration with Nika and Alice, the fact that we share a space, do projects together, but also sharing the expenses it’s very empowering and offers continuous stimulation. If you find the right colleagues, it can also be an emotional help in the difficult moments. Generally, I believe that collaborating is fundamental for young creatives and can give you something extra.

COLLANEVrosi’s ultimate collection is called Kauri, inspired by the same-named seasell, can you tell us a bit about your working process and inspiration for this collection?

My inspiration comes from the typical form of the seashell and Kauri is THE seashell par excellence, as it has a fascinating shape and bright reflections and it was actually the first currency in human history! Fundamental for this collection was studying birch wood, which was worked, modeled and polished with the old technique used by luthiers. I also worked with recycled brass and leather.

COLLANEVrosi was founded in 2012, if you could go 4 years back in time, what advice would you give to yourself?

I would tell myself to work as much as possible and not to feel down and let go in the more difficult moments. I would also say to myself not to listen to the ones who told me to just quit and listen to the ones who believed in me and advised me to keep strong and continue. Today, I have still a long way to go, but I can say i wake up everyday to do something I love.

Do you think people are starting to appreciate handmade goods more than in the past?

I believe that, fortunately, in this moment of crisis, people started to have again the need of buying and owning handmade goods, that have a story to tell and a significance.

How can handmade designs fight against fast fashion nowadays?

You have to focus on quality and the uniqueness of the products and you have to narrate the story behind your products and what it takes for their creation.