Pamela Bitzi
Neuchâtel, Switzerland
“The Salt is in the Hem”
@p_a_m
What are the key inspirations behind this collection?
This collection grows from childhood memories and my family’s Italian background. I returned to images of long summer days in the fields making corn-leaf dolls, small rituals linked to superstition, and the quiet habits that shaped my early years. My grandfather is at the centre of the work. He arrived in Switzerland in the 1950s and used clothing as a way to hold on to dignity and confidence. His careful approach to dressing became a starting point for my tailoring. I was also influenced by films I loved when I was young, such as The Addams Family and Coraline, which mix playfulness with a slightly strange atmosphere. These references form the tone and silhouettes of the collection.
What materials, colours and techniques did you use in the creation of this collection?
I worked with natural materials including knitted cotton, wool, wood and vegetable-tanned leather. Leather was shaped using moulding techniques to create details such as collars or buttons. The colour palette is mostly neutral and includes grey, beige and burgundy, with a few small touches of brighter shades.
What is next?
I am applying for internships as I want to gain experience and understand where I fit within the fashion world. Alongside this, I plan to keep developing techniques I enjoy, especially leatherwork and tailoring, and continue making garments and small experiments on my own.
