Your work consistently balances strong tailoring with a contemporary and fluid approach to fashion. How has your design language evolved over the years, and what principles remain at the core of your creative process?
Over time, my design has become cleaner and more essential, shaped by the silent dialogue with those who wear my pieces at pop-ups. It is an organic evolution, growing without ever betraying my roots: surrealism, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
The core of my aesthetic safeguards a strong Italian identity. I find a haunting poetry in old heirloom textiles (il corredo) and antique toys, keepers of hours of love and care that are forgotten today. I try to give them a second life, transforming them into prints and structures. My work lives on this intimate contrast: between beauty and decay, memory and transformation, guided by an unconscious and never-exhibited sensuality.
There is a distinctive sense of individuality and modern elegance running through your collections. What inspires you today, and how do you translate those influences into silhouettes, textures and proportions?
Women inspire me every single day—especially those who surround me. My latest collection draws heavily from my friend Camilla, a creative force who introduced me to a traditional dirndl dealer back in 2013. When we moved to London together, we became deeply obsessed with Victorian clothing. Today, life has come full circle: she is now a singer and will be performing live at my very first Milan Fashion Week presentation.
For the past two seasons, I’ve been exploring the history of women’s uniforms. I am fascinated by the structural codes of aprons and bows, elements that are now deeply influencing global subcultures. I translate these personal memories and historical references into silhouettes, reshaping the rigid proportions of utility wear into modern, fluid tailoring that celebrates individual elegance.
Fashion is increasingly shaped by conversations around identity, craftsmanship and longevity. How do these themes resonate with your own vision, and how do they influence the way you approach design?
They are the key elements—as they should be! So much has already been done in fashion. If you don’t have a strong identity, if you don’t build your own subculture and community, how can you possibly survive?
I truly believe that people need to feel the urge of knowing how to be Nina. Otherwise, there is no real point in making clothes. I create them by hand because when someone chooses a piece, they need to buy the love, the time, and the raw emotions stitched into every single garment.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of fashion, and what emotions or attitudes do you hope people experience when wearing your creations?
To be honest, the future of fashion scares me a little right now! Artificial intelligence and all these new tools are moving and shaping the world so fast that it’s easy to lose track.
However, what truly excites me is the future of Be Nina. I want to show more, create more artistic presentations, and simply have fun! When people wear my creations, I want them to feel completely themselves: cool, sexy, confident, and cute as f*ck!
Sabrina Bonatesta
Founder & Creative Director BE NINA