(by Francesca Proietti Cosimi)
If they asked me today what a woman I would like to be, I would reply that I would like to be the sum, the synthesis of great Women who fought great moral, laboring and ethical battles.
The first great woman who comes back to her mind?
I'll answer you like this: The first role I played as an actress in an end-of-year essay was that of Rita Levi Montalcini, they told me that I resembled her in commitment and class. I just remember that I got embarrassed and decided to style my hair just like her and to wear an elegant but red sweater. Who knows maybe for me that red represented, in some way, courage. Here, the first woman ever is she Rita Levi Montalcini.
Can you define today a woman who follows fashion?
Fashion has always conditioned my style and my way of being. I have always seen it as a shield ready to protect myself from the opinions of others. Like a Linus blanket in which I feel protected and safe in the heat. But one thing you must know, I have never been fashionable, I have always pursued only the style.
Who is today's Woman for whom you are inspired?
Today, at 38 years, I say that woman is the one who protects her nest, that celebrates it every day, that struggles to build her social and working position only and exclusively with the sacrifice of her commitment, which protects those who are defenseless as to example animals. Here, Elisabetta Franchi is all of this for me.
What values do you identify in yourself?
She is a stylist who has had the strength to never give up. A woman with a capital D who, at some point, found the man who believed in her, who loved her right away, the one who allowed her to build her dream day by day. The designer Elisabetta Franchi had already deserved it since the dawn of a man like that, because she had recognized a light in her. It is called talent and is unmistakable. When you recognize it, and see for the first time, you can not remain enchanted because it is a mix of energy, passion, commitment, determination, perseverance, dedication and, why not, a bit of madness.
So you see again in Donna Elisabetta Franchi?
Yes maybe I see myself in her, because, it is true, behind a talent there are always great people who believe in you, who stimulate you to do, not to give up, that recharge you when you do not think you can do it, that take you by the hand and they make you fly, to then wait patiently for the moment when you'll come back down. And they are always ready to support you. They are called family, friends, mum, dad, sisters, husbands, faithful and trustworthy collaborators.
Tell us about this stylist and what makes her feel so close to her that today she defines 8 March the woman who celebrates.
Elisabetta Franchi after the period of exponential working growth, obtaining great personal satisfaction, suddenly sees her tale stop. After great sacrifices and frustrations, life takes away what was most important to her. And it hurts me so much for her to imagine what she felt.
Why did it happen?
Her husband dies, leaving her with a wonderful little creature named after a princess, Guinevere, who has the same eyes as her dad. So Elizabeth falls and has to get up and does it alone. It will be very difficult years for her. So he throws himself headlong with all his energy into work and does, creates, builds. Creating color from the black of the darkness of an immense pain. A bit like I have always tried to do, since I suffered the violence ...
You don't become an artist by chance. You become it when you dig inside and have to protect yourself and be reborn. But I don't want to talk about myself… let's go back to Elizabeth.
What happened after this great loss?
Over time, finally, Elisabetta finds a sincere friend, always ready to be close to her, who will support her and who knows her well. Her very first boyfriend, Ivan, who will become her second husband after years. That's why I deeply respect Elisabetta Franchi, she never threw herself away with the first man who passed by. She has always respected herself, honoring the work built with her first great love, bringing energy around her and always wearing great dignity.
Will you find the strength to get up again?
And that's how he will find again the strength to get up, step by step, starting to fill with love everything, his home, his soul, trying to fill that great emptiness, surrounding himself with love for life and his adored animals, becoming in a short time the spokesman of great animalist causes.
What other aspect do you recognize?
Consistency. It takes consistency in life and certainly does not fail to Elisabetta Franchi. In fact, she has not always produced garments with real but synthetic fur. I talked about style, determination, strength, energy, courage, ethical commitment, that's what it is for me, Marina Paterna, a Woman. It is like a flower that is born, grows, suffers and dies but then, from its pain, it reinvents itself and flourishes again. As proof of this Elisabetta Franchi with commitment and constancy creates a Head Quarter, in the Bolognese countryside. His headquarters. Majestic, impressive in character.
Have you ever got to visit it?
Yes, and I was excited and proud. I wanted to meet her at all costs to tell her exactly what I think of her. I visited only once that seat, even if only inside the main entrance to talk with one of his collaborators. At the time, Elisabetta was really busy and under pressure with the launch of her outgoing collection and I was forced to postpone our possible meeting. I preferred to take a step back and wait for the right moment. But in that place I recognized all his class, femininity and elegance in every single element. It will seem absurd, but there was its elegance and rigor even in the dog's bowl at the entrance.
Do you dedicate your 8 March to her, then a wish from Woman to Woman?
Yes why not? We invert the canons and let's stop expecting something from men. Thank you every now and then between us with a healthy and legitimate female solidarity that never hurts.
8 March 2019, so today Marina Paterna the writer crowns Elisabetta Franchi style icon?
Yes, I like to think of it. I like the idea that my thought can come, even if far away. I honestly think it's a style icon. And I want 8 March today to celebrate the women's party.
Marina Paterna, his desire for his new audience that as a writer and director grows every day more and more?
I hope that the new generations take women who are strong, courageous and who fight, always ready on the front line, to assert, win and carry on not only their rights but also and above all those of others. Of those who can not defend themselves.
Here it is for me, Elisabetta Franchi with all her sprinkling contagious energy, the true icon of modern style that dresses so many women. Because true beauty lies in generosity and sharing.
Do you hope one day to be able to shake hands personally?
Absolutely yes!