Meet The Women Designing Rome

No, not architectural design, but creative design: leather bucket bags, silky, colorful kaftans, and a modern take on sartorial dressing.

Dec 04, 2025

When in Rome, support the talented Romans. But puns aside, many of us who travel to Italy end up in Rome at one point or another. Whether it’s first-time visitors or seasoned repeaters, we’ve all befriended good ol’ Fiumicino’s duty-free shopping center and wandered the cobblestone streets before heading to our next destination. And while the Renaissance paintings, Baroque architecture, and ancient ruins each have their own undeniable charm that draw thousands week after week, my heart always skips a beat at the incredibly talented Romans who are designing the city. And no, I’m not talking about architecture or interior design, but clothes, jewelry, bags—the pieces that allow for inner expression, memories, keepsakes, and a fleeting sense of serendipity.

There is something particularly alluring about Roman style and fashion. It’s not the edgier runway vibes of Milan, nor the nautical, coastal, and tailored pieces of Naples. It is simply Roman. And these both born and adopted Romans live and breathe the landmarks, colors, sounds, and sights of this city, transforming them into pieces we can wear, love, and own, each carrying its own mystery of eternity in Rome, one that anyone who loves this city falls head over heels for.

Below are a handful of creative Romans & their brands I’ve admired over the years, from women who have been creating in the ancient city for thirty years to those making their distinctive mark over just the past few. If you enjoy this, I’ll happily do a part two, because in no way is this list exclusive, but just a scratch at the surface! xX

Maria Cristina Gasche of Amira Bags

Synonymous with Roman style is none other than the timeless bucket bag, whether in a mini size or roomy enough for a modern-day Mary Poppins. This style has been designer and creative Maria Cristina Gasche’s focus since 2013 for her brand Amira, as she set out to design pieces that are simple in style yet incredibly chic in colors and materials, and made to be worn day to day. She also has a collection of tote and travel bags, as well as limited-edition capsule collections that appear multiple times a year, all while prioritizing Made-in-Italy craftsmanship and creating pieces that are both affordable and designed to carry us through daily life.

Soledad Twombly of L’Archivio di Monserrato

Argentinian-born but calling Rome home since 1999, designer and curator Soledad Twombly is the mastermind behind her atelier, L’Archivio di Monserrato, a bohemian oasis where her handmade pieces, from velvet-lined capes and vibrant caftans to floor-length coats and silk gowns, fill the space with effortless style and color. Her creations are beautifully intertwined with her love of art, textiles, and her favorite brands, creating a space that feels both curated and alive. Not to mention, her shop sits along one of the most creative streets in Rome.

Angela Russo of Mirtilla Jewels

I stumbled upon Mirtilla Jewels at an artist pop-up studio event hosted at Spazio Giallo Interiors (incredible place, btw) in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood a few years ago, where I met Angela Russo, the creator and designer of the brand. Inviting and warm, Angela’s dainty pieces are made of natural stones that feel like a dive into sherbet-pastel heaven, and she believes even the smallest gems can enhance both the delicate and the wild sides of our inner feminine (okay, love!).

She draws inspiration from growing up between Rome and Paris, from her travels to the pink city of Jaipur where she discovered the ancient goldsmith tradition of working with colorful gems, and especially from the motifs of her childhood, collecting seashells by the sea.

I reach for my seashell mint green and baby pink glass charm every day that brings a nostalgic feeling of summer moments (smiling at my inner child).

Camilla Voci of Le Tre Sarte

Camilla, together with her husband Niccolò, launched Le Tre Sarte in 2022—a zero-waste, modern interpretation of Italy’s beloved sartoria. I visited when Camilla first opened her doors on Via dei Pianellari, and she was as striking then as she is now: humble, welcoming, and gifted with an unmistakable eye for design and color, along with a burning passion to share her own take on the Italian sartorial tradition.

Before returning to Rome, she worked in the philanthropy office at the Opera Garnier in Paris, spending her free time wandering amongst the racks of costumes made by the custom designers, where she discovered her love for fabrics.

Back in Rome, those long-held passions came into full fruition. From wool capes and silk wrap dresses to velvet buttoned vests, Le Tre Sarte prioritizes high-quality deadstock fabrics, creating customizable pieces suited for any and every occasion.

Luisa Orsini & Antonine Peduzzi of TL180

Two friends whose paths crossed in Rome by destiny formed an eternal synergy. Luisa and Antonine (Tine) set out to create a brand that blended the effortless sophistication of the French attitude with the high-quality craftsmanship of Italian-made pieces (the best of both worlds in my opinion!). In 2012, TL180 was born. Today, their atelier sits on the cusp of Trastevere, where you can shop incredible knitwear that is handmade in studio, from dresses and sets even perfect for a mamma-to-be, and bags that unite the best of French energy with Italian every-day ethos.

Patrizia Fabri of Patrizia Fabri Hats

With a background in fashion history and design, Patrizia Fabri opened her own brand in the early ‘90s, creating hats, accessories, and bags. It wasn’t until 2001, when she purchased a shop from a historic Tuscan hat-making family in the heart of Rome that was closing, that she named it Antica Manifattura Cappelli, a nod to the family’s seventy-year history.

Over the years, one thing has remained true: Patrizia believes the hat is an accessory every woman should have, adding unmistakable charm and elegance in every moment of life. She creates hats from wool to raffia. I’ve been lucky enough to visit her shop and see how the hats are made in the back of the store in the original workshop, and it is simply incredible.

Every hat style imaginable starts from these molds!

Margherita Cardelli Cavaliere of Giuliva Heritage

First comes love, then comes the brand, and that’s exactly what happened for Margherita Cardelli Cavaliere. After many years working in fashion on the communications side, she met her now-husband, fell in love, and began wearing his creations, enamored by the unmistakable Neapolitan craftsmanship and design. Fast forward, the couple noticed a gap in the market for women’s sartorial ready-to-wear, and Giuliva Heritage was born.

Designed in Rome and crafted in Naples, if you’re looking to splurge on pieces that feel like they were made just for you, your body, your soul, welcome to Giuliva Heritage. Now worn by celebrities and neighborhood Romans alike, visit this incredible oasis in the bustling historic center for a true sartorial retreat.