The story of Confezioni Grazia traces back to Giulia Pilotti, born in 1946 in Castenedolo (Brescia) into a bustling family of ten siblings. It all began in their family home, where Giulia and her sisters immersed themselves in embroidery. Their first steps into tailoring were inspired by Gabriella, the eldest sister, who was the first to pick up a needle and thread. Between 1959 and 1969, Giulia honed her skills at Confezioni Sampec, specializing in hand sewing during the day and pattern cutting in the evening. It was there that she met Orsola, affectionately known as Zia Orsola, a pivotal figure in this story.
Between 1965 and 1967, Giulia worked in a small workshop producing bottle-green bomber jackets. During this time, she met Franco Ruffoni, her future husband, and in 1968, they welcomed their first child, Ivan. That same year, Giulia and Orsola opened their first modest workshop in Orsola’s home, naming it Confezioni Lidia. With a team of 15 women, they produced garments such as smocks and skirts using low-quality fabrics. In 1971, Giulia and Franco’s second child, Elena—now the director of Confezioni Grazia—was born. However, the Lidia chapter came to an end in 1976 when Riccardo, Giulia’s brother-in-law, informed them about a factory for sale on Via Goffredo Mameli. Thus, Confezioni Grazia was born, expanding its workforce to 30.
Giulia oversaw production, Orsola managed accounting, and Franco handled the business side. Parkas and women’s suits became staple products, leading to collaborations with renowned brands.
The passing of Zia Orsola in 1993 marked a significant loss. In 1998, Elena and her husband, Mauro Varini, joined the management team, initiating collaborations with Blumarine and expanding into high fashion. From then on, the company began working with some of the most prestigious brands in the world. Today, what started as Giulia’s vision has grown into a company of 60 employees, more like an extended family. Giulia still resides in the home she purchased in 1976, near the company headquarters.