circle conversations | sylvia pichler
Sylvia Pichler, a mother of two, a native of Bolzano, Italy, has been trained as an architect and now designs bags for her brand Zilla. Her affinity for metallic and construction materials has been a family affair from the beginning. It was her grandfather and father, a blacksmith and an architect respectively, who instilled into her a profound love for haptic experiences. Pichler starts out by repurposing materials, thus giving them a new life in an altered shape. This approach is a fundamental part of her creative process and the key to her brand’s ongoing success. Zilla bags are exclusively manufactured in Northern Italy.
www.zilla.it | @zilla.atelier
When you designed your new home with your husband, who is also an architect, what was the main thought, idea or feeling you had in mind that you wanted to follow and create?
We bought a house that was 400 years old and our goal was to preserve as much of it as possible and to work with a few natural materials such as wood, stone and metal. We are technically off-grid, with geothermal energy and solar power.
Sylvia’s home she designed with her husband, Pavol Mikolajcak.
What is your favourite part of your home?
I love our kitchen, there is a lot of space and light.
Sylvia in her kitchen with ESRA cashmere throw in Gold On the wall, an art print by her friend Thomas Zanon-Larcher.
What is your favourite colour?
Green, all shades.
Sylvia at her home wearing AILA cashmere pullover.
What inspires you in life?
Colours play a very big role in my life; I can be extremely happy with them or feel uncomfortable with them.
Details in Sylvia’s home.
What does Bolzano represent to you?
Bolzano is my hometown - small, but surrounded by beautiful nature.
What is the best and worst thing about Bolzano?
Bolzano is a city where you can go everywhere by bicycle. The old town in particular is very attractive, but we still often have extreme traffic chaos because we are sometimes flooded with streams of tourists.
What could other towns learn from Bolzano?
In Italy the cycle paths are not yet very developed, and in the cities it is often too dangerous to cycle because of the tram lines. Bolzano works quite well in comparison.
Sylvia at home with UNO cashmere throw in Beige.
How do you choose materials and colours for your bags?
I have been collecting materials for many years and new ones are added every year. My gut feeling then helps me to use or further develop the right ones for each collection. The same goes for the matching colours - the respective mood helps me make decisions. It is a process that continues to evolve and if you look at it there is a logic to it.
Bags designed by Sylvia for her brand, Zilla.
I am curious about the history of womens' handbags - how did it start?
I have always loved bags and wanted a nice handbag for every occasion. And then I started sewing or making bags out of model building materials when I was studying architecture - building materials such as impact sound insulation, sponges or floor mats. Acquaintances and friends ordered bags and so I started sewing more and more. In 2005 I founded Zilla - Zilla has been my family nickname since I was little. I have been working with the same sewing shop between Padova and Venice for over 20 years, the materials I use come almost exclusively from Italy.
For some women it has become such an important object - what was the process of it becoming such an obsession - did women even carry bags a few hundred years ago?
Women have been carrying bags since they were allowed to have money, around the 16th century. Maybe this obsession is related to the feeling of freedom and independence? We often carry half of our lives in our pockets - we are prepared for every situation. And then there is the aspect of completing a look with a bag - the handbag can certainly enhance or degrade an appearance.
Sylvia outside her home with a view of Bolzano, with HESTA cashmere throw in Ivory/Black.
If I say sustainability, what does it mean to you?
Respectful and considered actions - starting with brushing your teeth in the morning ;)
What is your signature dish? You are an amazing cook!
I like to cook simple dishes with a few seasonal ingredients, preferably from my local area.
You have lots of pieces from our collections. What attracted you to our brand?
I have loved the brand Oyuna long before I met Oyuna herself in Paris. My mother gave me a blanket many years ago that I still love; my Oyuna coat is the best cashmere coat I've ever had, the quality and cut are brilliant; I've practically spent the last few winters in Oyuna Aila pullovers - I have these in almost every colour; I also recently bought a pair of knitted cotton trousers - they wear like jogging trousers but are super elegant. Oyuna differs not only in quality but for me also mainly because of the cuts - very puristic with details that give it a twist.
To finish off, I have a few simple questions. You can respond with a word or a couple of words…
Blue?
Horizon.
Strength?
Optimism
Softness?
Marshmallow
Beauty?
Sunlight and shadows
Timeless?
Authenticity and honesty