Copy-paste from Giulia
Pensavo andasse in automatico e invece no
Giulia è una mia cara amica che da qualche settimana ha iniziato a scrivere la sua newsletter, si chiama Come Together. Praticamente ha catalizzato tutto il suo know how sul mondo della moda e io sono assolutamente qui per imparare da lei.
Nonostante ciò Giulia è così matta che ha pensato che anche io avessi qualcosa da insegnare a qualcuno quindi mi ha “ospitata” nel suo format Work Together per andare a sfatare qualche mito e rafforzarne altri sul mondo della moda.
Abbiamo fatto il post in collab ma non vi è arrivata la mail, non so che dire farò una roba da boomer a fare copy paste qui.
Prima di iniziare: oltre alla barriera linguistica di me che mi esprimo solo a epifanie e colpi di testa, è in inglese.
Working in fashion is not all glamour and glitters as the profanes may think, so this format has been created to give people in the industry a space where to share what it’s really like to work in fashion to people outside of it.
For this first episode we have Francesca Maria Piombo, the perfect embodiment of PR. I met Francesca couple of years ago (I think? - we were first internet friends and then we became IRL friends), and we never left since. It’s not joke when I say that she’s one of most caring person I know - she genuinely cares so much, for friends, for family, for her work and her clients. She’s unstoppable, she’s always up for anything and she never leaves you alone. And she is a freaking shark at her job! We always joke about that she is PR personified, it just comes so naturally to her and she is the perfect person to take you behind the scenes of the magical (and sometimes chaotic) world of fashion PR, a place full of gifts, invoices, and endless stories.
What do you do and what was your path?
I work as a PR at an agency specializing in fashion (my main focus obv), beauty, lifestyle, and design. I studied communication, but what really shaped me was my very first internship during my third year at an emerging boutique PR agency. There, I was in charge of the showroom, coordinating editorial requests, and managing press placements. Gradually, I also got the chance to explore event production, social media, and digital PR. That experience was incredible because it allowed me to discover myself by getting closer to different areas and ways of working. Over the years, and after also trying out a stint in the advertising world, I chose to specialize in community management, creative strategy, and special projects always within the digital sphere, where I currently am right now.
How would you describe your style, and how do you think your work and environment have influenced it?
My style travels with me: constantly evolving. I’ve always been fascinated by trend forecasting, and I’ve always enjoyed scrolling through different social platforms for inspiration. Of course, I’m not immune to trends, but I always try to understand what truly feels like “me” and what doesn’t (I’ve never bought a pair of Sambas, but this winter I was obsessed with plaid everything so…balance). Most of the time, they’re things I already have in my closet, pieces I’ve always liked but didn’t know how to contextualize, yet they somehow drew me in. Right now, I feel like I’m in a Chloé by Chemena Kamali and vintage Isabel Marant phase, full of stones, puff sleeves, warm colors, patterns, and soft volumes. Every time I leave the house, no matter how lazy I feel, I try to wear at least one piece I never use and two key accessories, just to surprise myself again with what I already own. Working with clothes has always been fun for me, especially at the beginning when I was more connected to the editorial side of styling and magazines. Now it’s obviously more commercial driven, so my sense of fashion lives mainly in my personal world, but it’s still something that feels very “mine” and untouched.
How do you think the fashion industry has changed from when you dreamt about it and when you started? Where is it now?
What fascinates me most is that it’s exactly how I imagined it would be and maybe that’s why I live it in such a natural way. My dad was the first person to make me watch The Devil Wears Prada when he sensed my inclination, we watched it countless times together. I think I grew up kind of preparing for this world; I never thought of doing anything else. From my point of view, the biggest shift we’re experiencing is participation. People who used to only dream about being part of this world are now called “communities” and are genuinely involved in moments designed for them, as if a parallel space has opened up where you can get a closer look. I think every brand, from the big maisons to the smaller ones, is looking for that real point of contact to become an experience for others, each in their own way, with their own tools.How has your work been influenced by the industry’s changes?
My job could exist without digital, but it would definitely struggle more. Everything that comes from the digital world has powerfully influenced every aspect of my work, it defines it, in fact. Likewise, collective participation has become an essential aspect, something that needs to be increasingly anticipated and integrated into every strategy, moment, and communication tool.
What future do you see for yourself and for the industry?
A future where both of us — myself and the industry — manage to adapt without too many shocks, so we can keep shining and inspiring beauty in others.What’s the best and worst part of your job? The funniest and most challenging?
I’m a social animal, I love being around people, talking, creating connections, and making them feel seen and heard. My job allows me to do exactly that. It also lets me be creative and act as a strategic partner for the brands I work with, which makes me really proud. The worst part is that sometimes I can’t see the boundary between myself and my job anymore — because I am my job, and my job is me. That’s how PR works. The funniest (and most challenging) part is definitely those chaotic office moments — deadlines, last-minute requests, absurd situations (there’s a video by Mattia Stanga that perfectly represents me in those moments!).
What’s it really like working in fashion? What’s the reality behind the fun & glitter? Is it worth it?
Apart from the feathers, the glitter and early call times, there are also a lot of invoices, a lot of contracts, endless recaps, countless emails, discussions about nothing, and people who don’t always get your vision. But when I’m backstage or front of house at a show, I always end up crying with joy, because I helped someone make their dream come true. So yes, it’s always worth it.What’s on your fall-winter wishlist?
A pair of plaid trousers from Damson Madder that I’ve been waiting to restock for weeks, a pair of green crocodile boots, a tattoo of a fan and a butter knife, and a banana-yellow bag that I honestly don’t understand why I still don’t own.
Thanks for ready Come Together, see you soon on the next episode of Work Together!
Baci,
Francesca & Giulia
❤️❤️❤️