Giulietta designer Sofia Sizzi embodies many of the qualities of the women she designs for. She is decidedly feminine, often with a touch of red on the lips and usually wearing the polished, figure-flattering clothes that are the backbone of her collections. At the same time she is also unabashedly confident, a trait that certainly comes through in her strong designs, like the bold shoes that are not only eye-catching but 100% vegan.

Though she now works from downtown Manhattan, Sizzi is originally from Florence. Her Italian dolce vita roots perfectly complement her contemporary New York aesthetic. The result of this combo? Quietly nostalgic collections that conjure up decades past but with an appeal to today’s working woman. Before launching Giulietta in 2011, Sizzi worked as design director for big names that include Gucci, Donna Karan, and Calvin Klein. Her impressive background is evident in the Italian techniques she employs in creating her high-quality collections. We chatted to the very busy designer while she prepped for her Spring 2013 New York fashion week presentation.

Tell us about what you were doing prior to starting your own label?
Sofia Sizzi: For the first part of my career I have been an accessories designer and was lucky to collaborate with some of the greatest names in Italian and American fashion.

How and why did you start Giulietta?
I started Giulietta two years ago and it’s based on the idea of a nostalgic character that lives in my fantasy, which gathers all those incredible qualities of the women who have inspired me through the
years.

Where does the name come from?
It’s my mother’s nickname.

You are Italian but have lived a long time in New York, how do both places influence you?
Italy is where I draw my inspiration; New York is where I reinterpret it in an intricate
and modern way.