In the offices of Elisabetta Franchi, more than 6.000 m² of Miami style In the middle of the Boloñesa countryside, employees take their pets to work, whether dogs and turtles or turtles.The initiative is part of the Dog Hospitory program, created by the designer, one of the first activists - together with Stella McCartney - of the Free Free movement, focused on the fashion industry stopping using animal skins.

“The love I feel for my dogs is the same as I feel for any member of my family;are part of it.His constant presence improves my days.They are wonderful creatures: they give true, pure and unconditional love, without demanding anything in return, ”he says.

The love I feel for my dogs is the same as I feel in the family "

Franchi embodies the principles of the entrepreneur made to herself.His mother, who took five children ahead alone, is his best model.She only had a doll in her childhood, Betty, with whom she had long conversations and to which she dressed in the old curtains of the house.

“It means a lot to me: she, faithful companion throughout this adventure, is her starting point.Today we sell our Betty dolls in all the flagship stores in the world.It is the brand icon ".

He was always clear what he wanted to be older, and studied at the Istituto Professionale Statale Artigianato and Servizi Aldrovandi Rubbiani in Bologna.He paid the tuition working as a shop assistant in a store, where, in the testers, he ran into the insecurity and self -demand of women.Today he points out that this learning was the basis of its success.

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Did you always have so much confidence?

Having a dream allowed me to concentrate and invest in time time, energy and determination.At first it was not easy, but now I consider myself a safe person.I like to call it my "Master in Life Achievements".

Is it possible to have close friends in fashion?

Work in fashion marks a lonely lifestyle.I never had a long contact list because I come out of nowhere, and from a context far away from fashion.As for the present, today I consider Brunello Cucinelli and Marco Marchi close friends.

I never had a long contact list because I come out of nowhere

What are for you the most memorable moments in fashion history?

Without a doubt, we just had.This pandemic has given us food for thought.Before we lived in a world with a market full of garments and unnecessary products.

Has Covid transformed its lifestyle and brand?

Pandemia has changed our way of thinking and acting forever: people have again attributed real value to what really matters: authenticity.The rhythm we had achieved in fashion was unsustainable.(…) I agree with Giorgio Armani: I think that, after months of confinement, the fashion system needs to slow down and allow garments to have an opportunity to tell the story of the hard work that implies its creation.We cannot allow the collections to become old after two months.And, on the other hand, also that the Made in Italy must be protected and promoted;That will be the future of fashion, and my brand.

Free Retailer's initiative is winning impulse.Did you feel alone at the beginning?

I have been a member of the (Anti-Vivise Liga of Italy) for years, and I have shown my support for the defense and safeguard of animal rights.In 2012 I began to eliminate the duck down and angora wool from my collections, and continued to dispense with leather in most products and garments.We were the first Italian company in order to affirm that their skins were not animals.Fortunately, over time other brands have noticed and sensitized. Y Gucci, Armani o Dolce&Gabbana están optando por liberarse de las pieles.I am very proud of my choice.Although at first it was the only one, I was always firmly convinced to be making the right decision, in line with my nature and my way of thinking.

What objectives pursues through its Fondazione Elisabetta Franchi?

Fondazione Elisabetta Franchi Onlus was created to continue my battle for animals rights.I will never get tired of being the voice of these wonderful creatures.We seek, for example, the many canine shelters fighting against the lack of resources to meet the basic needs of animals, and whose volunteers rescue dogs from a safe death on the roads on a daily basis ... animals have a soul, and I have always treatedto give them voice.My dogs are my life;companions have always been with me, even in more difficult times.