Annalena Biotti: “This is how I tell you Culette”

“I’ve always had a thing for unique pieces, I think this is why I had the idea of creating my own collection, with an unique cool style” 

Hi Annalena, what’s your job / what are your typical days like?

I live and work in Milan, where I currently work as a saleswoman for “Marni”;  at the same time, on request, I search for vintage accessories/objects. I love vintage markets and I keep a personal selection of pieces that I find particularly interesting. I have always been intrigued by unique pieces with ever-changing workmanship.

How did the idea for Culette come about?

I wasn’t able to find a vase that I really liked. My ex-roommate is an artist and he works with clay; one day I asked him to use his material. After several attempts I started to make a sort of vase (nothing like the ones I make now) that was the first one of a long series.

I liked the idea of crafting my own items, so I continued to experiment. I created my first 10 pieces, which went SOLD OUT the same evening of the launch!

Have you ever worked with clay? How does it make you feel?

When I was at art school an unfriendly teacher made me hate any kind of manual work (perhaps because it was imposed). Today, however, I am determined to resume my  manual skills, without any imposition.

Due to the COVID’s quarantines and restrictions, I have recently managed to carve out more time to create my little pieces of art, developing my dream. Certainly my work at Marni continues to influence me positively from a visual point of view, enriching day after day my baggage of experience on trends, palettes and textures with particular traits.

But… why CULETTE?

I was inspired by the name of my cat “COLETTE” and the famous French boutique. I chose this word to really represent who I am, mixing my passion for fashion and my cat 😉 

We have seen that you have collaborated with several illustrators for some “limited edition” pieces. How did you come up with the idea of this synergy?

I love drawing! Thanks to Culette, I discovered I have creative skills that I didn’t know I had before. It was really funny collaborating with Giulia Hartz, Adry De Martino and Giulia Nava, and this has made my little asses’s collection even more interesting and varied.

How do you deal with ‘strange’ requests that are not your cup of tea?

I accept (almost always) the challenges. By choice, I never send photographs before the product is shipped. I believe that the ‘surprise’ effect is still very important in the world of craftsmanship, otherwise all the beauty of creativity and imagination would be lost. It is important that the customer understands that I create a unique product made of imperfections that make it special.

Contacts: @ccculette