As Wolf Vs Goat grows we thought it'd be nice if you got to know some of the newer faces around here, so we'll be featuring some Q&As with the staff. Today we have Gabriella Vergari!
What’s your name and position in WvG?
My name is Gabriella. I’m the pattern maker and co-designer, and I handle all the production issues there may be with factories
Where are you based?
I live in southern Italy, San Pietro Vernotico
How long have you been in your line of work? When and where did you get started?
I started working in actual factories when I was 19 but my mom and aunt are seamstresses who worked at home so I worked jobs for them when I was a child. I’ve worked for different kinds of factories, such as ones that make more classic or more sporty outfits, and I started with the basics, counting buttons and sewing labels, then I worked my way up.
What intrigued you about working for WvG?
I like that Mauro allows me to express myself. If I have something to say I can say it, which is something that many companies don’t allow you to do. Of course, it depends on the company, every place is different, but generally here in Italy there’s this mentality where if you have a job you just to do that job and whoever is in charge doesn’t want to listen to other people or other ideas. You do your job, I’ll do mine, don’t interrupt me or bother me. If I have an idea, a new design, anything about something that I like, Mauro listens to me.
What do you want to bring to WvG and how do you want to grow, build, expand, etc? Any perks you’ve found while working for WvG?
I would like to see WvG with more of an Italian image. It’s hard to explain but, visually, the Italian taste, the way of sewing – it’s very distinguishable. What I’m talking about is very technical. Here in Italy we are very meticulous while constructing and sewing certain parts of the garment – the shoulders, the color, the chest area, those are very important for us. You can see how the clothes fit is different than if they were made in America or Spain or England.
What are any other brands, designers, or fabricators that you’re a fan of?
I have two favorite brands. One is Sorelle Fontana, and I had the opportunity to spend a whole day with one of the sisters in her atelier. That experience changed my life and the way I perceive fashion in general. Second is Valentino. I did a stage there and when I entered his laboratory it was like entering Willy Wonka’s factory or like being Alice in Wonderland, it was fantastic.
What’s something you’ve seen in a movie, book, or TV show that doesn’t actually exist but you wish it did?
Toshikazu Kawaguchi wrote a novel (Before the Coffee Gets Cold) in which you enter a club for a coffee and can meet a person from the past. It made me think, who would I choose to meet and what would I tell him?
Do you collect anything?
Dessert cooking books. Pattern making books. Board games, I have around 60. My favorite one is Carcassonne.
If you had a sandwich named after you what would be on it?
Here in southern Italy we have a special bread that I love, puccia, so I would use that and add meatballs and salad. Oh, and Parmesan shards!
What’s a dumb joke that always makes you laugh?
A man is dating three women and wants to decide which to marry. He decides to give them a test. He gives each woman a present of $5000 and watches to see what she does with the money.
The first does a total make-over. She goes to a fancy beauty salon, gets her hair done, new make up and buys several new outfits and dresses up very nicely for the man. She tells him that she has done this to be more attractive for him because she loves him so much. The man was impressed.
The second goes shopping to buy the man gifts. She gets him a new set of golf clubs, some new gizmos for his computer, and some expensive clothes. As she presents these gifts, she tells him that she has spent all the money on him because she loves him so much. Again, the man is impressed.
The third invests the money in the stock market. She earns several times the $5000. She gives him back his $5000 and reinvests the remainder in a joint account. She tells him that she wants to save for their future because she loves him so much. Obviously, the man was impressed.
The man thought for a long time about what each woman had done with the money, and then he married the one with the largest breasts.
What question do you hate being asked?
I hate when anyone asks how old I am. Why are you asking? Do I look young? Old? Why!?
How do you like to wind down and relax?
Reading a book, or going swimming in the sea since I live close by.
What’s your favorite piece of clothing?
This is my favorite vintage bag, from 1977. My grandmother bought it for my parents' wedding and she worked in the factory where they made it.
