Emma Bruschi

Emma Bruschi is a real gem. And not only because she has a brilliant and creative mind. Not only because she represents one of the most interesting voices in the world of fashion. She is the kind of person you just want to know more about, the kind of friend you always want to have next to you at a table to share long conversations over a glass of wine. On top of that, she is able to make her own materials. A young girl making leather by kombucha fermentation (yes, you read it well) or growing her own rye to transform straw into thread. It is her passion and respect for Nature what attracts us the most. She seems a pure soul amidst a world of chaos. And we just cannot get enough of her.

Who is Emma Bruschi?

I am a young designer who loves to learn and share ancient techniques inspired by the life of my grandparents who are farmers.

Current plans?

I am currently working on several workshops: bouquets de moisson (harvest bouquets), natural dyes, herbarium… I am also really looking forward to launching my new designs in collaboration with Les métiers d’Art de Chanel for the 36th Festival de Mode de Hyères (France). I am also working on my new e-shop as I would like to be able to sell my creations more directly.

What does Nature mean for you?

For me Nature is what it will always define you, immutable, your roots, your core. I love it when it is related to culture and they cannot be separable. Working with Nature allows me to express myself through different materials and raw feelings, you can feel a whole that may confort or frighten you but it always represents a strong and direct bond to spirituality.

City or place in the world that better represents you nowadays?

I would say the region of my family, Haute-Sauvoie (France) which keeps on inspiring me every day thanks to plenty of nostalgic childhood memories, the fact that the rye I work with grows there and, of course, my own family.

Are an artist and an artisan the same thing?

They are different things and at the same time every artisan is some kind of artist and every artist is some kind of artisan. The lines are blurred and I think it mostly depends on how you would like to be defined.

We really would like to know further details about your research and work to create and even grow your own materials.

I have always loved the idea of producing my own textiles, even if it implies a more time-consuming process it also becomes the best way to express myself. Producing my own raw materials has been a logical extension of my work and it also responded to the difficulties I faced to find proper information about the origin of the materials I was buying. It brings me great autonomy and it also allows me to work even closer to Nature. There is also something unforseeable that I really like, not being able to control everything and letting Nature guide you. My uncle is a farmer and he kindly agreed to grow some rye next to his wheat so that I could harvest it and transform it. Our first harvesting took place last July and it was a very special moment, it was great to share and gather, different age generations mixing and getting together to work with their owns hands or a scyhte. A great number of people joined us to help me and I was really moved.

GALLERY-JOURNAL