Thaís Cipolletta
International designer of luxury leathergoods with 20 years’ experience spanning the full lifecycle of luxury leather handbags and accessories across London, São Paulo and New York. Consistently champion superior craftsmanship and innovation and relish the process as much as the final product. Leadership roles include the growth of an aspirational restoration atelier, restructuring operations and project management frameworks to improve delivery efficiency, quality, control and scalability. These initiatives supported the modernization of workflows within circular fashion models and created a path for the current global and European repair platforms. Strong, customer-focused approach underpins long-standing relationships with global ultra-high net-worth clients from Hermès, Chanel, Goyard, Louis Vuitton, and Dior. Ongoing commitment to artisan recruitment, training and mentorship in leathergoods craftsmanship. Motivated by opportunities where design and craftsmanship converge with aesthetic intent and innovation.
Developed the renowned luxury restoration techniques and training we are known for today to then build a team of talented artisans, overseeing production, innovation, quality, sourcing, creating structure and processes. Responsible for the commercial strategy for the atelier, planning and forecasting, processes that inform and help build our tech platforms together with our tech team, continuous improvement, overseeing trade partners and internal team of artisans, developing new services and analysing our services together with finance and business development team. Collaborating with the community of Fashion and Craftsmanship, especially with brands and Sustainability and Circular Fashion institutions ACHIEVEMENTS • PR press magazine contributions such as Elle, Vogue, Tatler, WOTC • 2021 – Contributed as an expert to the publication ‘The Circular Design for Fashion’ from the Ellen Mc Arthur Foundation • 2020 - LVMH - La Maison des Start-ups: 6-month accelerator programme supporting innovative start-ups • 2019 - Walpole - 'Brand of Tomorrow' programme to support British Luxury Brands • 2018 - Farfetch - 'Dream Assembly' 3-month incubator accelerator programme (Lisbon-Porto-London)
• Developed the unique restoration, re-design, repair, cleaning, personalization, and the creative sourcing techniques the company is renowned for, generating business opportunities that account for 65% of the company’s revenue. • Ensure the highest level of craftsmanship and quality in all services executed at The Restory • Problem-solving approach to design solutions for customer’s items that require repair, re-design, or care. • Created a proprietary Restoration Training Programme where we developed 40+ Artisans and a digital library of colour recipes, luxury materials, patterns, and data from every item restored by the team (24K+ items). • Lead the Atelier operations, commercial strategy, training, repairs production (30+ artisans) external partners, design techniques R&D and quality standards. • Manage Efficiency throughout the operations by re-designing processes, identifying machinery, new strategies and developing user friendly tech solutions. • Seasonal Sourcing trips to Italy and France dealing with premium material suppliers. Developed bespoke materials. • Work in partnership with brands consulting on design solutions and new materials testing to improve Sustainability and Circularity. Ex: Manolo Blahnik. • Curated Hero Services together with MKT, BI Analyst by analysing demand and productivity data to define our top sales and redefine pricing strategy.
Design through making. Collection of handbags designed by cross-skilling leather craftsmanship with womenswear pattern cutting techniques. Hardware (locks, frames, handles) all made by me using walnut and Scottish horn cut into laser cut machine and plugged with leather. Linings screen printed exclusively.
• Designed, prototyped, and produced handbag and leather accessories • Dealt with clients, suppliers and attended product development meetings • Prototyped using leather craftsmanship skills: wet moulding, hand stitching, machine stitching, skiving, plugging, upholstery, box work. • Clients: J.W. Anderson, Sophia Webster, Yuzefi, Giles Deacon, Mulberry upholstery, Bottletop.
• Designed a top seller Casual Shirts line and a Resort line within the Woven’s department, working closely to the founder. • Conducted product development meetings, liaising with pattern makers, sample makers, suppliers, and production team. • Developed bespoke haberdashery, hardware, buttons, prints, embroidery, and hand dyeing techniques • Researched upcoming global fashion, colour, and lifestyle trends, translating them into the brand’s style and budget • Produced technical drawings, specifying materials, costs, and instructions • Reported sale scores, accompanied customer’s feedback, presented new collections, and trained retailers during new season launch presentations, both wholesale an in-store sales team. • Designed a casual leather footwear collection- conception, spec sheets, materials, samples, and production. • Actively participated in the repositioning of the brand in the market.
• Designed and developed women’s leather handbags, created concept and mood boards, produced spec sheets. • Sourced leather, materials and developed bespoke hardware for the bags (metal with resin). • Established selling points across São Paulo, Brazil • Developed the brand’s identity and created marketing content
• Produced mood boards with design concepts, material experiments and sketches to the director, designers, and merchandisers. • Sourced new suppliers and materials, produced technical drawings, and followed sampling and production closely.