Wings is a headpiece, handcrafted from multi-layered silk satin, inspired by the traditional headpieces of certain native South American peoples. The headpiece is part of Francesco Ballestrazzi’s Amazone Collection.
Sometimes, in life, a negative experience can have a silver lining. Francesco Ballestrazzi discovered a deep artistic talent thanks to a fall! He was a professional ballet dancer but an injury forced him to change his path completely. Leading him to design shop windows for Moschino, here he learned about all kinds of different materials and how to combine them together in the best way. In 2014 he launched his personal brand, and just a few years later he started selling his spectacular hats in around 30 shops worldwide. Since 2018, he works with a smaller select group of shops to allow more space for his creativity. He teaches his art at important fashion academies and universities in Milan, such as Polytechnic University, Istituto Marangoni and Naba, and New Academy of Fine Arts.
Read the full interviewPhoto: ©Elena Datrino
Wings is a headpiece, handcrafted from multi-layered silk satin, inspired by the traditional headpieces of certain native South American peoples. The headpiece is part of Francesco Ballestrazzi’s Amazone Collection.
Photo: ©Elena Datrino
This intricate and elegant headpiece is handcrafted from individually shaped silk satin orchids, connected with thin wire.
Photo: ©Elena Datrino
This elegant headpiece is handcrafted from silk satin. Francesco Ballestrazzi used this material and its vibrant colours to build an intricate composition of flowers and leaves.
Photo: ©Elena Datrino
This headpiece is composed of black iris petals, handcrafted from cotton velvet and ruffles created from silk organza.
Photo: ©Elena Datrino
This multicoloured velvet headband is adorned with silk organza ruffles.