Giulia Farencena Casaro - Sacrifiction

Giulia Farencena Casaro is an Italian menswear and knitwear designer who defines herself as a silent observer, who constantly likes to discover new things and loves to analyze the human behaviour. Her new collection 'Sacrifiction', in line with the theme of 'Fashion, my religion!' explores the idea that through the rise of the digital world, a lot of traditional religious values have been lost, particularly that of sacrifice. In Christian faith, God sacrificed himself for us to be saved. It is this appreciation for humanity, and the gestures of kindness and authenticity that she is exploring in her collection. By using authentic and traditional materials, she is studying this theme through the lens of her home region, South Tyrol.

Her collection will be showcased at the Show Programme on Saturday the 16th of June at the SAM-Decorfabriek. You can get your ticket for the show here. 

What made you realize that you wanted to work in (fashion) design?

I always knew somehow that I wanted to work in fashion but I thought that something so beautiful could only exist as a hobby. I only realized that it was a real profession when I was 9 years old.

Why did you choose fashion?

I was unsatisfied of many things starting from the human’s interpersonal communication and ending with socio-political and environmental issues. I felt that fashion can silently give you something that becomes part of your body and therefore maybe become part of your mentality.

What would you say are your main achievements in your career?

If I look back, I think that my main achievement is the intellectual consciousness I developed throughout this period of studies. The first year I won the Polimoda scholarship in collaboration with Class which gave me the opportunity to pursue my studies. I recently have won the Polimoda talent, a one year start up incubator program.

What are your sources of inspiration?
My sources of inspiration are things which are taken for granted, the human behavior. Surfaces and materials of every kind. The relationship of humans with religion, spirituality and faith.

Why did you decide to participate in FASHIONCLASH Festival 2018? 
I felt that FASHIONCLASH gives a bright space for creative freedom and diversity without losing a clear point of view. I expect it to be a great opportunity to give voice to our creations.

What are the biggest struggles faced by young designers?
The freedom of expression. Managing all the parts of a collection due to the time pressure. Finding a compromise between sellable pieces and pure creativity that leads to artworks.

How would you define fashion? A form of communication.

What do you think are the most important issues in fashion today?
I think that today issues which involve sustainability, climate change, consumerism and the circular economy are becoming increasingly important. Not to mention all that issues about gender and social equality.

How do you think fashion contributes to society, can it contribute to a better world?
I believe fashion can be a powerful way to contribute to a better world by choosing and promoting eco sustainable raw materials to produce timeless items rather than fast fashion ones. It can display ideas and counter current thinking in many ways such as ironic conceptualism or brutal aesthetics. 

What challenges do you face in the design process? What are your favorite parts of the process? 
Myself as analysis tool of what surrounds me as I undergo in-depth researches. The part I prefer is the materials manipulation and the creation/moulage of the canvas.

Describe your design process in one word. 
Outsourcing

How would you describe the concept behind your project (for FASHIONCLASH)?
The increasing virtual life is slowly dismissing fundamental values in our society. The concept behind my project is the loss of values given through christianity such as scarification. I took South Tirol as inspiration, a land where community values and rituals are still given due to the strong catholic influence. Later on I integrated a glam punk influence to play with the idea of this loss and ambiguity.

What inspired you? 
The culture of my childhood, Roberto Cuoghi’s Imitation of Christ and the New York Dolls.

How would you describe your project in three words?

Sacrifice, decadence and ostentation.

What projects are you involved in at the moment? What are your next steps?

I am currently finishing Polimoda. I am involved in the start-up incubator of the Polimoda Talent.


What are your thoughts regarding fashion and religion?

There is a strong interconnection of sacred and profane, religion is full of dogmas and fashion is a free ride to madness sometimes (which I think is the best part of it). Humans love to break rules and once you break it in the field of religion, sometimes you could feel you’re missing something.


What does your day look like during the design process? 
I stay up late then I start to work with paper, canvas and manipulations. I know when I start, but I don’t know when I will go to bed.

Who is your favorite artist? Jospeh Beuys

Who is your favorite designer? Martin Margiela of the early years