Francesca Spaggiari
The Milanese fashion entrepreneur and founder of Fregoli, whose handbags adorn the arms of Catherine Deneuve, Olivia Palermo and Veronica Bocelli, believes in high-impact glamour for the modern woman. She talks to JING ZHANG
Francesca Spaggiari is known for dramatic, colourful and extravagant handbags, which offer opulent customisation and interchangeable elements in several styles. Spaggiari, who founded the Fregoli brand in 2016, says her bags impart the sense of fantasy that women are yearning for after a year of lockdowns and sweatpants.
Who are your style heroes?
I love following fashion icons and staying updated on trends and trendsetters but I don't have specific names in mind. I travel a lot for work and I find inspirations in what 1 see around the world. The secret is keeping my eyes open and soaking up all the beauty that surrounds me. It could be a visit to a museum, a dreamy landscape or the observation of Nature’s incredible colours and shapes. Style is everywhere. I just capture it and channel it towards the creation of my handbags.
When did you become interested in making bags and accessories a business?
I’ve been interested in fashion since I was a little girl. My dream was to create my own fashion house, a very elite, unique and haute couture atelier where every woman’s dream could come true. So as soon as I graduated, I decided to start Fregoli to pursue my own idea of glamour – and to express my creativity and idea of style and elegance.
Italian craftsmanship is a big sell. Tell us what you think makes Made in Italy so special and how it applies to your brand.
In Italy we have the good fortune of being surrounded by art, architecture and history. My country is like a museum en plein air. Being exposed to all that beauty affects you and drives everyone to achieve excellence and perfection in whatever we do. This is how Fregoli handbags are born: combining the virtuosity of Italian craftmanship with the best materials and the upmost care for details. The result is a harmony of forms, textures and colours, that catches the eyes and the heart of the beholder.