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Lavinia Cottafavi

Sustainable textile sourcing and product development / founder Aneesha Designs
Portfolio website
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About

After a career start in strategy and branding, it is during a sabbatical year in India that I discovered a passion for sourcing handmade textiles and for textile development in general. Inspired by the grace of Indian women as well as their traditional clothing (saris), and by the authenticity of Indian artisanal fabrics and the art of tying them around the body, I created Aneesha Designs. With Aneesha, I learned in detail how a high-end fashion brand and product work, I developed my sense of beauty and artistic sensibility while sourcing a wide network of artisans and makers with unique know-hows. I was able to transform my own experience and define a peculiar identity for the brand, centered on creative exploration and the juxtapositions of colors, the uniqueness of the pieces, research of handmade and textile innovation. Aneesha is an ode to femininity and its power to heal through beauty, textile art and creativity.

Previous Brands
Aneesha
On sabbatical
Ogilvy & Mather
Lighthouse.fr
Value Partners
Goldman Sachs
Work Experience
Brand Consultant
Jan ‘24 -
Self employed

I help companies and entrepreneurs express their creative identity by building strong, cohesive brands. Through meticulously crafted brand platforms, visual identities, campaigns, and communication strategies, I shape compelling narratives that elevate their presence. To craft bold, meaningful brand statements, I also support fashion and textile brands in developing distinctive product capsules — from unconventional textile sourcing to design and development.

Founder
Apr ‘18 -
Aneesha

Aneesha is a contemporary, creative and explorative women's clothing brand, that reinterprets tradition and crafts with a modern vision and design. The sustainability and recovery of materials, as well as the attention to fabric manufacturing processes, are all key elements to Aneesha's work. Aneesha is a brand that stands for beauty, identity affirmation and empowerment through unique color combinations and fabrics' associations. Aneesha has an affectionate community of almost 4k followers on Istagram, with more than 200 one-of-a-kind pieces made so far and a repurchase rate above 50%.

One year traveling in India - sourcing traditional textile artisans and makers
Jan ‘17 - Jan ‘18
On sabbatical

Traveled across different regions of India, sourcing textile/weaving techniques and artisans in Rajasthan (blockprints), Gujarat (traditional tie dyes), Bengal (embroideries)... Developed a network of artisans and contacts with clothing manufacturers.

Strategic Planner
Nov ‘13 - Nov ‘16
Ogilvy & Mather

-Branding and positioning -Brand platforms -Creative campaigns and digital strategies -Focus groups Worked for clients such as Nestlé, Ferrero, Google, Purina, BAT etc.

Intern - Strategic planner
Jan ‘11 - Jun ‘11
Lighthouse.fr

Business Analyst
Oct ‘10 - Oct ‘12
Value Partners

Intern
Jun ‘10 - Nov ‘10
Value Partners

Summer Internship in the Economics Research Division
Jun ‘07 - Aug ‘07
Goldman Sachs

Languages
English - Fluent
Italian - Native
French - Fluent
German - Basic
Education & Training
Accademia del Lusso Milan
‘18 - ‘18
Professional course in pattern making
Fashion Design and Pattern making
HEC School of Management
‘09 - ‘10
Masters
Università Commerciale 'Luigi Bocconi'
‘05 - ‘09
Masters
Paris, France