The light in Rome’s Accademia Costume e Moda, housed in the former Magazzini allo Statuto, is a diffuse, industrial glow that falls equally upon the future and the past. On the night of the graduate showcase, this duality animates the space. In front of me, Silvia Venturini Fendi ascends the raw concrete staircase, her dark glasses shielding her from the glare of potential, moving toward the runway to witness what comes next. To my right, Fashion Coordinator of Max Mara Laura Lusuardi peruses the academy’s formidable Fendi archive.
Between this forward gaze and deep retrospection, a designer’s journey finds its defining moment. It is here, in the history and judgment, that I met designer Chiara Luna Artucovich. Her path to a role at Louis Vuitton is not a story of relentless ambition, but of hesitation, detour, and patient listening. A childhood immersed in sculpture in the Swiss valleys, a year studying philosophy, and a late-blooming passion discovered through introspection have shaped a designer whose work is a spiritual and material inquiry into form. For Artucovich, the runway spectacle is a hinge, not a finale.
As models pace and flashes fire below, her focus has already turned inward, toward the intimate, meticulous world of the accessory—an object meant not to declaim, but to whisper. Her philosophy seeks a rare translation: of lightness, meaning, and spirituality into stitch and substance. What follows is a conversation tracing that evolution, revealing how a designer who once hesitated at fashion’s threshold now speaks with a perspective grounded in craftsmanship, optimism, and an open heart.
Where is your family originally from, and how did your upbringing shape your approach to design?
My family, of international origins, chose to build their life in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, in a valley surrounded by nature and defined by a slower rhythm of life. My father is American, with Peruvian, Argentine, and Croatian roots, while my mother has Swiss and Italian origins. Thanks to them, art has always been a constant presence in my life: my mother and grandfather are sculptors, and my father is a caricaturist, cartoonist, and illustrator.
From an early age, both my brother and I were encouraged to experiment creatively, quite literally getting our hands dirty. Growing up, I watched each of them pursue their passions with clarity and determination. I, on the other hand, explored ceramics, painting, dyeing, and other expressive languages. They fascinated me, and still do, but none of them fully engaged me to the point where I felt I had found my definitive path.
What inspired you to pursue fashion design?
I am not one of those people who can say they have always been passionate about fashion. It was certainly something that was part of my daily life, but more instinctively than consciously. From the age of four, according to my mother, I insisted on choosing my own clothing. Wherever I went, I always carried a handbag or even a small suitcase full of objects and clothes.
It was clear to everyone but me that this world interested me. Perhaps out of fear of the challenges surrounding this industry, I held myself back and, driven by the urge to do something, I spent a year at the University of Fribourg studying philosophy and mathematics after high school—disciplines that, in the end, did not truly feel like my own. This apparent detour turned out to be valuable: it gave me the courage to take a risk and to understand whether fashion could truly be my path. That is how I enrolled at the Accademia Costume e Moda in Rome.
Could you describe a defining moment in your design education that influenced your creative direction?
The Accademia gave me the opportunity to explore different fields, from fashion to costume design and accessories, without the pressure of making an immediate, definitive choice, allowing the educational path itself to guide me. I had a great deal to learn in every sense; the only certainty I had was my curiosity and desire to learn. At the beginning, it was challenging: it is a journey that forces you to question yourself deeply. You think you know who you are, but when you are asked to create something that is truly your own, everything comes into question: What really represents you? What do you consider beautiful or ugly? I didn’t have answers.
Over time, however, this process taught me to understand myself better, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally—two dimensions that, for me, necessarily go hand in hand. Encountering the world of accessories sparked something in me. Working on smaller objects allowed me to focus on details capable of completely transforming an object. It is a field that values craftsmanship and experimentation through prototyping, elements I consider essential to the creative process, as they generate new ideas.
Tell us about your “all is lost” moment—a significant challenge or setback in your journey. How did it feel, and what did you learn from it?
Throughout my journey, there were moments of doubt, especially when comparing myself to people who seemed more confident and further along than I was. Over time, I understood that everyone has their own pace and their own story, and that it is important to be guided by one’s inner voice. When approached in a healthy way, comparison can become a useful tool for growth.
The most difficult moment, however, came when I began to sense a lack of trust in my work from some mentors, expressed through attitudes and criticisms that were at times not very constructive, gradually undermining my self-esteem and confidence in my abilities.
How did you rise above that moment? What kept you motivated and resilient?
I managed to overcome that period by surrounding myself with the right people—those capable of supporting me during moments of difficulty. Moreover, despite everything, when I was able to invest the right energy into my work, I felt a deep sense of enthusiasm that made me genuinely happy. It was a feeling I had never experienced before, and it helped me understand that this was the professional path I wanted to pursue. I simply needed to find an environment in which I could express myself freely, without fear of judgment, while remaining open to constructive criticism.
How would you describe your design philosophy, and what values or themes are central to your work?
My design philosophy and my sources of inspiration are deeply connected. My work stems from the desire to convey a positive vision of reality. The world already holds enough drama, and I don’t feel the need to reinforce it through design. Instead, I choose to focus on beauty and on the lighter, more meaningful aspects of existence. Spirituality has always played an important role in my life and is something I carry with me in my work as well. In my thesis, for example, I sought to translate abstract concepts into a concrete language, bringing into a contemporary vision that spirituality which once permeated the everyday life of every human being.
Who or what are the most profound inspirations for your work? We’re curious not just about names, but about the textures, emotions, or moments they evoke in you.
My design philosophy and my sources of inspiration are deeply connected. My work stems from the desire to convey a positive vision of reality. The world already holds enough drama, and I don’t feel the need to reinforce it through design. Instead, I choose to focus on beauty and on the lighter, more meaningful aspects of existence. Spirituality has always played an important role in my life and is something I carry with me in my work as well. In my thesis, for example, I sought to translate abstract concepts into a concrete language, bringing into a contemporary vision that spirituality which once permeated the everyday life of every human being.
What does joining Louis Vuitton mean to you, and what are you most excited to contribute to the brand?
My experience at Louis Vuitton was both unexpected and extremely meaningful, and I am deeply grateful for it. It allowed me to regain confidence and trust in myself and to come into direct contact with the world of fashion. Above all, I was fortunate to meet extraordinary people with great talent, who taught me a great deal and contributed to my personal and professional growth.
How do you see your background and experiences shaping your future projects in the fashion industry?
I believe my background will lead me to approach the fashion world with an open and curious perspective. I feel extremely fortunate for the opportunities I have had and hope to maintain this enthusiasm over time. I strongly believe that the way we position ourselves and the energy we transmit influences the environment around us, including the workplace. For this reason, both in my professional life and in my personal life, I strive to cultivate a positive energy, one that can create fertile ground for all the beautiful things life has to offer.
What advice would you give to aspiring designers who are navigating their own creative journeys?
I consider myself an emerging designer, aware that I still have much to learn and a long journey ahead of me. The only advice I feel comfortable sharing is to persevere and trust your own path, even when it does not appear entirely clear or linear. It is essential not to be afraid of following what truly moves you, maintaining a curious mindset and a constant openness to learning, because that is precisely where growth happens.
