She studies Design for the Fashion System at the Polytechnic University of Milan – second year of her master’s degree – she is 24 years old, originally from Lecco – but naturally a citizen of the world – and declares herself passionate about knitwear, culture and fashion. Fashion that Federica Coti Zelati, whose contribution in the creation of the tapestries that will “dress” the Tollegno 1900 stand during Pitti Immagine Filati #96 was significant, has identified as the sector in which she can fully express herself. “I chose the fashion sector 6 years ago – she says – when I understood that this world could give me great margins for growth and personal pleasure in the planning and expression of my creativity. One of the greatest satisfactions is in fact seeing an idea materialize and come true”. Achievement that requires not only technical skills, but also vision. Strengthened by this awareness, Federica has clear ideas about her future: “Once I finish my studies at the Polytechnic, I hope to find a job that not only sharpens my skills, but is also fertile ground for opportunity, growth and innovation. It is no coincidence that I would love to be able to experiment in small businesses, especially in the world of knitwear, where I would certainly have the opportunity to acquire a lot of knowledge and make available what I learned in my studies”. Studies that led her to come into contact with Tollegno 1900 for the creation of a project capable of mixing technology and color. “In the project that saw the creation of a series of tapestries used to set up the company’s exhibition space during Pitti Filati – she says – I took care of the colors and stitches represented. To understand how to best interpret the needs of Tollegno 1900, Michele Fumagalli, with whom I worked as a team, and I met to touch and see with our own eyes the catalogue sent to us by the company. The choice of yarns to use was also based on colour theory: we wanted to bring out the best in them by contrasting them, so that they would enhance each other”. The choice fell on Harmony precisely because of its intrinsic characteristics. “This yarn has such a shine and stability that it was not easy for us to be able to filter out certain colours: we wanted to use them all! However, by comparing ourselves with the company and with the selection of yarns that would be used for the garments exhibited at Pitti, we were able to define the definitive palettes”. Much simpler, but equally fundamental, was the choice of stitches. “We wanted impactful, enlarged images, with details that could stand out from afar thanks to the contrast of the shades. So we chose unusual but significant stitches. The final result really satisfied us” Personally I think it is one of my most successful projects and this is also thanks to my colleague Michele who I hope can be as proud of it as I am”. Pride that Federica also links to her sensitivity in choosing colors. “In these years – she concludes – I have learned that color is extremely important in a collection: I experimented first hand in the first university projects in which my colleagues and I spent hours, even late at night, choosing a palette. I am truly grateful to Tollegno 1900 for the opportunity it has given me: working with products of excellent workmanship and top quality is inspiring and offers great satisfaction when you see the goal you set yourself has been achieved”.
