"I know that I will not take a path that is not part of me"

If there's one thing we love even more than an emerging bag brand, it's an emerging bag brand founded by a young and promising woman who gave it her name. Her name is Sofia Nardi, and we had the chance to chat with her about her creative and production process.

Interview with Sofia, founder of the namesake bag brand

Introduce yourself to our audience. Tell us who you are and what you do.

I'm Sofia Nardi, designer and founder of Sofia. My project was born in 2023, but I have been working as an accessories designer since 2020. My passion for fashion started at a young age, influenced by my grandmothers, both seamstresses. Spending time with them sparked my curiosity for their craft and developed my deep connection with the art of dressing. In general, I consider myself a very sensitive and introspective person—I feel I have a lot to express, which is why the designs I create always have a reason and a well-defined story.

Why did you choose to name your brand after yourself?

Choosing the name for my brand was a challenging process. I wanted a single word—something easy to remember—that reflected my aesthetic vision and resonated with me personally. After overthinking it for so long, I realized my own name was the best choice. At first, I hesitated, fearing it would be seen as purely self-referential. But to me, Sofia represents the name of someone dear—someone from whom you'd happily borrow a piece of clothing or an accessory because it makes you feel comfortable and represented. Instead of saying, "It's my friend’s/my mom’s bag," I want people to say, "It's Sofia’s bag." I aim to build that kind of connection with my customers. I truly believe we like things because they align with specific archetypes stored in our memory—if we share the same tastes, we probably have something in common, maybe even similar experiences, which makes us connected in an unspoken way.

Can you tell us about your creative process?

My inspiration comes from reworking my memories. I mix things I've seen with ideas and topics that interest me. For example, one of my latest designs was inspired by a bag my grandmother owned, though I can’t even recall when I first saw it. Another design took shape from the name I wanted to give it—the story behind it dictated its form. One of my core principles is eliminating the unnecessary. Anything that seems redundant or could weigh the design down is removed. My creative approach also shapes my style: instead of sketching, I usually start with the idea in my mind and build it directly in paper in a three-dimensional form. This gives me instant control over proportions and volumes, which are key for achieving a harmonious result.

Craftsmanship and sustainability are very important to you. How do you ensure these values are upheld?

I personally oversee every step of the production process. I choose all raw materials, accessories, reinforcements, fabrics, and linings. I visit the workshop that produces my bags at least twice a week, and I am constantly in touch with the tannery that supplies my leather, testing and developing materials for my collections. Quality is my top priority—it's my most valuable asset, and I would never compromise on it. Craftsmanship and sustainability are just as integral to the brand’s story as my name itself.

Who or what inspires you?

My family is a constant source of inspiration, even though we don’t have an extraordinary history. I tend to be nostalgic, romanticizing even the smallest anecdotes, which then turn into stories. Music is another major influence—I listen to tons of it, lately a lot of Bossa Nova. I treat it as the soundtrack for whatever I want to convey at the moment. Design and the Italian cinema of the '60s and '70s also provide endless references for characters, backgrounds, aesthetics, and silhouettes.

In an ideal world, who would you love to collaborate with?

I deeply admire Nadia Gohar. I think she is an outstanding example of creativity, passion, and immense talent. Her artistic vision is clear and recognizable, yet she adapts it seamlessly to different contexts, building a universe that is not only beautiful but also original and fresh. She pays homage to tradition while boldly looking toward the future—she's a huge inspiration for me.

What is one thing that will always be inside your bags?

Inside my bags? There will always be lipstick. I started wearing it after finally giving in to my mother’s advice, and now I can’t go without it. And of course, my phone! If we’re talking about my bags in terms of structure and design, one thing that will always be there is rigidity. I don’t like soft bags, and I don’t know how to design them.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own brand?

I’d tell them to ask themselves what they have to say and what message they want to convey through their project. Staying true to yourself and giving meaning to your work is essential.