Our Roots: The Thread That Binds Us

The Beginning: Courage and Needle:

It all began after the war, near Bergamo, Italy. Life tested Nonna Giulia; she found herself alone, bearing the burden of raising and feeding eight children. But where others saw an end, she saw a beginning.

She didn't give up. With silent courage, she gathered the village women. Many were in the same situation, war widows, alone with their children, without money but with marvelous hands.

Thus, the first Atelier was born, in Nonna's living room. It wasn't a cold factory; it was a home where hope was cooked amidst fabrics and threads.

Nonna's Gift:

Nonna Giulia didn't go to school, but life was her teacher. She learned to sew at the age of seven, from the village master's wife, who taught girls a trade so they could support themselves.

Giulia had a special gift; it came naturally to her. Her taste and that Italian elegance that seems to be in her blood made her name synonymous with quality.

For years, her workshop was the heart of the village, although over time, new generations took other paths and the loom fell silent.

Coming Home: Geli and Mario:

But true stories never quite end. Nonna's essence remained dormant, waiting for the right moment to awaken. That moment is now.

I, Geli, her granddaughter, along with Mario, my partner and friend, have decided to take over. We have felt the call to reclaim that legacy, not as a museum, but as something living.

We have set up our Atelier in the same village where it all began, to keep alive the connection with the land that saw us grow up.

Here, we merge Italian discipline and art with Spanish joy and warmth.

Why Sottobosco?:

Our brand is named "Sottobosco" (undergrowth) for a very special reason. If you think of a forest, what shines brightest are the tall trees, but true life happens below, in the undergrowth.

That's where the roots are, where there is shade, protection, and where everything grows organically and respectfully.

That's us:

1. Deep Roots: We honor the invisible work of those women who, like Nonna, built the future with their hands.

2. Natural Care: We love the planet as much as Nonna loved her fabrics. We use eco-sustainable materials and care for every process so as not to leave a negative footprint. Fashion should be alive, not wasteful.

3. Unique Pieces: We don't make disposable fashion. We create limited, timeless works of art, made to last and to tell a story. We prefer the excellence of a few garments over the haste of many.

Our Commitment to You: Today, we combine the wisdom of the past with the technology of today. Our team is made up of professionals who love what they do, just as they did. But the true guide is still Nonna Giulia.

Her style and ethics are our compass.

Every garment that leaves our Atelier carries a piece of that story. It is sustainability, it is art, it is family.

It is the spirit of Nonna Giulia, alive and kicking, guiding us into the future.

Welcome to Sottobosco. Welcome to the Family.