My story

This is me, Federica Balestrieri, in Jaipur, India, with my friend Rakesh, who with his brothers has set up a small family-run tailor shop, carrying on the work that was their father’s, and it is he who makes wonderful clothes by shaping the doodles I do in my notebook.
In my second life I have dedicated myself to volunteering and RESCATS (www.ri-scatti.it) a small non-profit organization that I founded with a group of friends a few years ago.

And then I travel around the world, looking for small artisans and craftswomen who produce textiles, embroidery, trimmings, semi-precious stones, especially women’s social cooperatives-I listen to their stories, admire their art, and then unleash my imagination by creating accessories and garments, only one-of-a-kind pieces.

Not that in my first life I was bored, mind you…
I am a journalist, I worked at RAI (Italian radio television), for 25 years.

Special correspondent first, at Raisport, around the world following Formula 1, then anchorwoman for 7 years of Pole Position the Rai uno program dedicated to Grand Prix and finally 7 years at TG1, in the Society newsroom first and then at Specials.

A cool, exciting job that I had chosen and loved.

But at some point I realized that I had already done everything. My first life had run out, with success and satisfaction. I could have stayed in my comfort zone and gone on repeating the same things over and over again, or I could have taken my courage in both hands and made a change.

And I had no doubt

On December 31, 2016, I resigned, giving up yet another 19 years of my prestigious permanent position, career, and the job I loved.
My first life, at age 47, had come to an end. With much satisfaction and zero regrets

A new existence was waiting for me.

It was time to go to her.

“There is no favorable wind for the sailor who does not know where to go.”

Seneca