Giotto Calendoli

Fashion designer, creative director, artist: if you had to describe yourself with one word, what would it be?

If I had to describe my role in one word, it would definitely be creative.

How does Naples influence your artistic vision?

Naples influences my artistic vision like a mother: there is a sense of belonging, with very strong roots that obviously give me the opportunity to inspire myself and create what can be my creativity. This is especially evident in the color blue, like the sky that is very present in my graphics, and, of course, the sea.

From what desire or need did your brand Handle With Freedom arise, and what message do you wish to communicate through it?

I created my brand to build a community and collaborate with as many people as possible, aiming to establish a lifestyle brand that embraces various aspects of life, starting with fashion and home decor. I want to highlight the importance of craftsmanship and manual skills, which are unfortunately becoming increasingly rare today. My goal is to give a modern twist to contemporary life while also drawing on the nostalgia of the past, creating a blend that, in my opinion, embodies true personality—something that is increasingly lacking nowadays.

Is there a particular direction you would like to take your Handle With Freedom project in the coming years?

The direction I want to give my brand is not decided by me but by the brand itself, which leads me in the directions I need to go. I don't follow any kind of calendar or rules; it's a brand with a soul where everything is done with craftsmanship, which means no rules, no timing, no deadlines – I go with the flow of the brand.

What inspires your creativity the most in daily life? There particular sources of inspiration that you consider constants in your creative journey?

Where do I find so much inspiration? Definitely from my grandmother, who is more than just an inspiration; she is my muse. She allowed me to draw inspiration from my grandfather's wardrobe, even though I never met him. I inherited his incredible clothes, and that was my first approach to creativity—taking a garment and reimagining it. So, my grandmother is a significant part of my daily life and a constant source of inspiration and creativity. Traveling also brings me immense inspiration, filling my world with color. Traveling means experiencing different religions, cuisines, and cultures, which are all huge sources of inspiration for me. I always seek to travel far and wide, returning brimming with creativity and new ideas. I embrace diversity and the unfamiliar to gain a broader, 360-degree perspective.

All my inspirations, if I had to pinpoint them to specific decades, would certainly be from the '60s and '70s. Seeing photos of my grandparents walking around Capri and Saint-Tropez, in their simple yet glamorous style, full of savoir-faire, gives me a lot of inspiration. As my grandmother always says: "You can never go wrong with a white T-shirt and jeans." It’s about how you wear the clothes, how you present yourself, how you speak, and how you share your message. This is what ultimately shapes a trend. I strongly believe in being unique and having a distinct personality, which leads to recognizability.

This space is a container of creativity: fashion, food, design. What is the common thread that ties these worlds together?

What I do well is to embrace a broader scope rather than focusing on just one thing. The important thing is that my hands speak for me and, in this case, my heart too, encapsulating the vision of my brand. As I have said before, Handle with Freedom is more of a lifestyle than a traditional brand with a single path; it takes various directions but always remains within the same container. I believe that fashion is part of the broader container of art, which allows for a wide range of expression in clothing, food, and music. This mix creates a unique dish in its flavor. That is my goal, to put my passion into my work. I am fortunate to call my passion my job, and I will never stop doing what I love.