"Mine is a story of redemption , dreams and a few bets," says Consuelo Todde , a 35-year-old embroiderer from Cagliari who has made needle and thread her life. And today, after the advanced training courses between Milan and Cagliari , he says that «I would never go back to life as before, because I feel I have created something that was almost unobtainable before. I had the steady job but I knew there was more in store for me. Today I create and live on my island, where everything was born, it's a privilege». And the success, together with the first confirmations, are already under his eyes: «I have participated in various world competitions with some of the best decorators and embroiderers, to the sound of beads, swarovski crystals and precious fabrics. It went great. And that opened my eyes to a world I didn't know existed before." Among his creations shine refined sartorial packages, customizations with precious fabrics and paintings embroidered on canvas, among which some great classics stand out such as the Starry Night and the Irises by the Dutch artist Van Gogh.
THE FIRST STEPS. «I remember well when as a teenager I saw the grayness of the suburban buildings that surrounded me . I grew up in San Michele , with many difficulties. It seemed that there was no alternative for me , but my roots gave me the input to change perspective and create different landscapes, just for me», explains Consuelo. So she, granddaughter of a seamstress who played for a long time with the "tools of the trade", decided to embrace a path that took her far away. « Milan was my main destination . There I learned extraordinary techniques from an excellent teacher who worked in the Chanel maison. What I used to only see on Youtube videos has become my daily life». This required expensive and demanding training , faced with the sacrifices of years of non-stop work, "when as a teenager I put everything aside to start building a future for myself".
THE NEW TECHNIQUES. Far from Cagliari, the Milanese masterclasses run fast. But then comes the technique that «bewitched me»: the French one of lunéville . «Compared to the one with the needle, it allows quick applications of beads and sequins. The work requires a rectangular frame on which a fabric is fixed – mainly silk organza – which is embroidered on the reverse». The novelty, combined with the sartorial basics learned in the family, "led me to make special clothes, difficult to find on the market and at the same time highly sought after", explains Consuelo who, smiling, also admits that "my clients arrive with an idea and a drawing. There's no need for ad hoc prints or fabrics: I can create anything they imagine. There is no limit to the imagination: from embroideries the size of a painting to miniatures as small as a 1 cent coin».
...AND THE ANCIENT ONES. But one desire has never left the artisan who, after having learned the art of big names, has not been able to put aside the "home" one. « How could I ever leave the decorations, fabrics and traditions of my Sardinia alone? I would have felt like a half-professional." And so, despite the activity started and the ever-increasing commissions «which I manage to dispose of with enormous effort, they are growing more and more and I still find it hard to believe it», a new stage arrives in the training path. Thus comes the enrollment in the Campidanese Sardinian embroidery course, with its characteristic details: from the launched stitch, to the knot stitch, to the typical padding created with basting thread.
THE FUTURE. Upcoming projects include an in-depth study of tradition, to find the right balance between the art of luxury embroidery and the Sardinian one. « I would like to create a line dedicated to Sardinia, my clients follow the work, they are passionate about it and I think it would be a way to keep alive this art that has made our island great, of which we are so proud. The idea of being able to pass on and keep alive such a fascinating and ancient profession flatters me. I built a custom job, and I would do it again today», concludes Consuelo.