Silhouettes with a feminine flair
- Elena specialises in historical techniques and couture methods
- All her creations are customised and made to order
- Her corsets celebrate a femininity that is strong yet soft
Each of Elena Friolotto's corsets is handmade with traditional making methods adapted to modern, ethical materials. "One piece can take anywhere between 20 and 40 hours of work," she says. Elena is the founder of Eibhlín Actias, an Italian couture label specialising in the contemporary revival of corsetry. What distinguishes her approach is the way the structure becomes narrative: the corset is designed as a protective and expressive architecture for the body. Elena's corsets are made to order, numbered and personalised, often with the client’s name embroidered on the inside. "Sometimes, I integrate fabrics or details that have a personal significance to the wearer, transforming memories into wearable pieces," she says. In 2025, Elena opened her label's atelier in Alassio, which allows her to have a daily, direct encounter with her craft.
Interview
- Why did you choose to dedicate yourself to corsetry?
- As a child, I spent hours watching my grandmother Anna draw patterns and sew, fascinated by the quiet precision of her gestures. While studying fashion design in Milan, I felt increasingly drawn to the history of costume and corsetry. The corset struck me as one of the most complex and meaningful garments ever created.
- What inspires your creativity?
- My primary inspiration comes from historical research. I am interested in translating the essence of historical garments, techniques and silhouettes into contemporary, wearable pieces. I am also inspired by cinema, literature, visual arts and nature, especially when they evoke suspended time, intimacy and delicate forms.
- How do you see women and femininity today?
- I see women today as complex, layered and deeply self aware. Contemporary femininity is no longer about conforming to a single ideal, but about reclaiming the freedom to choose how to exist in the world. Through my work, I aim to celebrate a femininity that is strong yet intimate, structured yet sensitive.
- What was an important moment in your career?
- One of the most significant moments was the opening of my atelier in Alassio. Creating a space dedicated entirely to slow, artisanal fashion marks a return to the centrality of the gesture, touch and human connection. It represents the full realisation of my vision: fashion as an act of care, memory and continuity. It is truly like stepping back in time.
Elena Friolotto is a rising star: she began her career in 2022
Works
Where
Elena Friolotto
