This book is a collection of photographs I took during the period I worked on the project in Italy, Summer 2013. It illustrates the journey of the project, including some of my personal inspiration and the research and design development.



It was through this project that I came to realise how many unsung artisans and craftspeople live and work hidden from our daily view. Amazingly talented people who live modest and simple lives. The trend toward globalisation and mass production has meant these artists struggle to make a living and are increasingly pushed further and further towards the edges of both society and the economy.



I hope this project goes some way to demonstrate how valuable these people could be to a European fashion industry in the grip of a recession.



Alessandra Conti