Delphina Burrò
Delphina Burrò. Unique bags and accessories. Just like you are.
A fashion designer’s tribute to Italian excellence
Each bag of Delphina Burró’s collection is conceived, designed and engineered in Milan using leather from Italian tanneries and other “Made in Italy” raw materials.
Silvia Villa, the young entrepreneur behind Delphina Burró, was born and raised in Milan (the motherland of moda) and she studied Fashion Design at NABA (New Academy of Fine Arts), one of the most renowned campuses for creative arts. Since then she was determined to pursue her dreams.
Not surprisingly, her brown eyes open wider when we start speaking about bags. Borsetteria. The sound of this world brings me back in time.
“If you decide to begin such a difficult path, deep down you know that your aim is to create your own brand. One day or the other.”
For Silvia, it was a matter of understanding which specific type of fashion or item she wanted to create. It happened to be bags.
Speaking about her professional training, Silvia shares her best memories: “I did my internship in one of the most prestigious Italian ateliers. It was the dream factory. Members of staff used to work wearing white gowns, everything was pristine.”
It was there, becoming aware of the absolute care for each item, that she understood what brings true value to a product, what makes it special.
She deepened her knowledge of fashion management working on style and product development, focusing on luxury items. An exceptional tutor was key to her professional career.
“In an ephemeral world, where everything is transient, I wanted to create something that could persist to tell a story. I fell in love with a craft and try to convey its enchantment to everyone”.
What prompted Silvia to create “Delphina Burró”?
The pandemic acted as a catalyst for a process which was already taking shape.. lockdowns, as for most of us, pushed Silvia to dedicate her free time trying to launch her brand. Silvia turned all the challenges upside down, transforming them into an opportunity. “I saw a sort of generational gap. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to risk this kind of business. Especially the young generations!”
Instead of letting her dream go, Silvia saw it is a shame to lose this opportunity and she was clearly motivated to create a product proudly Italian. This means looking for the best materials and creating straightforward designs, able to speak to anyone. The cassetta shape, for instance, is evergreen, able to persist through all the fashion seasons.
Delphina Burró embodies luxury items that can last in time and can be used and passed on through generations. Just as “the bags that our grandmothers used to have, spotless and sturdy as they had never been worn.”
What was the biggest challenge in launching her own business in 2020?
“Starting during Covid was difficult, but seeing the final product is the greatest pride of all. Having the confidence that the result will come out exactly as you wished for,” she said.
The work is complex and made of several parts: drawing, creating templates, searching for raw materials and visiting industry fairs. She also looks after all the necessary technical preparations the leather needs.
Speaking about the future, her plan is to broaden her collection and to present a new catalogue soon, including additional accessories.
“A sea to love, that is the idea from which everything originated.”
What is the inspiration behind the brand?
Graceful shapes and sharp contrasting colours, refined textures able to generate authentic tactile experiences. A collection capable of provoking wonder and amazement in those who admire it. “Like a child discovering the sea for the first time.”
The name of the brand inevitably brings us to the sea. Silvia used to live close to a dolphinarium and many maritime icons, from statues to fountains, were surrounding her daily life. So, the inspiration comes from the sea. The little logo represents a sea of hope and lightness, as the aim of the designer is to bring light heartedness similar to “that feeling when you go to the beach, and you feel the breeze on your face.”
Other sources of inspiration come from nature, designed as symbols and geometric shapes. Delphina Burró’s collections are also drawn taking ideas from the natural world, in the form of animals and insects. Daily life in Milan represents an endless resource. “Even walking on the main street in Milan and seeing what Italian women likes. What is on the shop windows? Fashion designing is also an observation work.”
