Forget what’s trending on Instagram. MODHER founder Gianna Caravello believes that true style isn’t about mimicking what others are wearing – it’s about tapping into what makes you feel cool and powerful. From that comes true inner confidence – the kind that doesn’t fade when the algorithm changes.
That grounded sense of self also shapes her design philosophy. With the debut of her latest Maya Crossbody collection, Caravello opens up about what makes MODHER’s timeless, consciously crafted pieces both a classic and ethical choice. She shares the stories behind her influences—and even gives us a peek at what she stashes inside her own MODHER bag.
You grew up in Sicily. Did that have any influence on the textures and shapes you create today?
My childhood in Sicily was filled with rich visual memories—the texture of stone walls, sun-washed colors, traditional textiles, and objects made to last. That sense of beauty in simplicity and endurance still shapes how I see materials today. At the same time, my education in Industrial and UX design taught me to focus not just on the object itself, but on the person who will use it. So when I design, I’m thinking about textures and shapes that feel timeless and beautiful—but also intuitive, functional, and deeply connected to the way someone lives with the product every day.
How do you see your work speaking to bigger cultural conversations around fashion and responsibility?
Fashion today has many voices—but too often, the loudest ones celebrate speed, novelty, and disposability. What I hope MODHER adds is a quieter but more lasting note: a conversation about craftsmanship, materials, ethics, and the long view. Growing up in Sicily, where beauty is made to endure, I saw first‐hand how things made well, with respect—for people, place, materials—carry stories. So my work is my way of saying: it’s possible to combine elegance with responsibility; that designing for longevity isn’t a niche, but an urgent need. If people think twice about what they buy—how it’s made, who made it, what it’s made of—then fashion can move from being a source of harm to a source of value.
What’s one everyday style habit you wish more people would reconsider—and why?
Overconsumption. I would love more people to shift from fast purchases to curated, thoughtful ones—pieces that serve multiple functions, that work with what we already have. Also, I hope more women ask themselves what truly makes them feel good, cool, empowered—not what looks “Instagram-worthy” or what everyone else is wearing. That inner confidence matters more and lasts longer.
What inspired the vision behind your latest Maya Crossbody collection?
The Maya Crossbody came from wanting to make something smaller, more intimate—something lighter that could carry just the essentials, but with all the integrity and attention to detail MODHER stands for. When customers asked for a bag that’s compact but still elegant, durable, and ethical, it pushed me to combine everything I care about: sustainable materials, artisan craftsmanship, and timeless design. We launched two versions: the first with vegetable-tanned leather and premium canvas. Then, understanding there’s increasing demand for non-animal alternatives, we created a version in Mirum®, a plant-based, plastic-free material.
So let’s talk about vegetable calfskin leather and Mirum. Can you break down the two and their importance in your production?
Vegetable calfskin leather refers to a traditional tanning process that uses plant tannins instead of heavy metals. It’s more gentle on the environment, and when done well—in Italy—it produces a rich, natural material that ages beautifully. Mirum is a plant-based, plastic-free leather alternative. It looks and feels premium, but without the traditional plastic content of many “vegan leathers.” For us, using Mirum helps bridge between sustainability and accessibility—offering quality, minimal environmental impact, and meeting the ethical expectations of people who care about what’s in their accessories.
You work with several artisans in the process of crafting MODHER products. How do you go about choosing your artisans and what they can each bring to the table?
Artisans are the heart of what we do. We choose partners who share our values: craftsmanship, transparency, fair labor practices, and respect for material. We visit tanneries in Italy, walk through their operations, see the workers, ask questions about their conditions, safety, materials—they have to meet rigorous standards. Each artisan brings something unique: some are experts in vegetable tanning, others have skills in hand-crafting details, others in finishing, in assembly. They shape the character of each bag, make choices that reflect both tradition and innovation.
How do you personally love to style pieces from the Maya Crossbody collection?
When it comes to styling it, I love how versatile Maya is. It’s perfect with a linen slip dress and sandals in daytime: breathable, relaxed, letting the craftsmanship show. But it also pairs beautifully under an oversized blazer and slim trousers in the evening—tucked close, hardware gleaming, strap adjustable so it carries comfortably. Because of its size, material, and shape, it works across seasons, outfits, moods. It’s that bridge between “I want beautiful design” and “I want something I can use every day.”
Fashion inspiration comes from everywhere, as we know. Is there a style icon or moment in fashion history that still inspires you to this day—and that you secretly wish you could’ve designed for?
The early 90s shaped my fashion imagination. I think of Lindbergh’s supermodels in white shirts and denim, effortless and strong; Armani’s soft tailoring in quiet greys; Kate Moss for Calvin Klein. Later, Phoebe Philo at Celine carried that same belief in confidence and control.. Those moments remind me that real elegance whispers—it never needs to shout. If I could design for someone like that, the goal would be to create something that feels effortless yet deeply considered—strong silhouette, soft stories.
Is there a fashion mantra that you live by?
A mantra that comes to mind is inspired by Giorgio Armani: “Elegance is intelligence and measure.” It reminds me to design, choose, buy with intention—beauty, quality, ethics—not for overload or flashing status.
Finally, what are you putting inside your MODHER bag these days?
These days, I carry the Maya crossbody. It’s just the right size for what I need: sunscreen for my face, lip balm, a small pack of tissues, car keys, my MODHER credit-card holder, sunglasses, and of course my iPhone.
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