The Beauty of Small Milanese Craftsmanship

Milan is full of small artisanal realities that deserve to be discovered and supported. Hidden ateliers, small studios filled with objects, people who create with their hands and their ideas.

I’ve always loved mixing accessories from small brands into what I wear every day. Almost every day I have something on that comes from an independent brand, a piece of jewelry, a belt, something discovered by chance that slowly becomes part of my daily uniform.

That’s also how I came across Marina Aletti.
First through social media, and then I discovered she’s the mother of dear friends, and also a friend of family friends. The world is small, but Milan is even smaller.

When I went to visit her in her studio near Porta Venezia, something funny happened: we were dressed almost exactly the same. A worn denim shirt, blonde hair, barely any makeup. We looked like we had just walked out of the same spa. Identical.

Marina welcomed me with that effortless warmth that immediately makes you feel at home. She’s funny, kind, and incredibly creative.

She told me that everything started from a coin. From there came the idea that life runs through all of her work: the circle as a symbol, a conductor of life, something that returns, connects, and continues.

If you look closely at her pieces, you start noticing it everywhere. Almost every object has a hole or a circular element, a recurring shape that becomes part of her language. Jewelry, belts, objects that feel like small contemporary talismans.

Stories like this are a reminder of why it’s worth seeking out and supporting small artisanal businesses. Because behind every object there isn’t just a product, but a person, a vision, and often a story worth listening to.

If interested into her products, creations, check her out on social media: @1centesimodime