SUCCESS STORY

Manuela Bonizzoni:
Crafting Timeless Elegance Through Artisanal Tailoring

By Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

Manuela Bonizzoni, seamstress and owner of Unica Sartoria, was born and raised in Mortara, a quaint town in the Lombardy region of Italy. From an early age, her passion for creativity was evident. As a child, she delighted in drawing, painting, and crafting, often scavenging fabric scraps from the local market to sew simple designs inspired by girls' magazines. Even her childhood games reflected a budding fascination with history and classical mythology, laying the foundation for her deep appreciation of costume design and culture.

Though she briefly considered careers in beauty and hairstyling, it was her mother’s suggestion to explore tailoring that proved transformative. With no family background in the craft, Manuela pursued her passion independently, learning through professional courses, relentless practice, and occasional missteps.

Over 25 years, Manuela honed her skills in high-quality industrial packaging design and tailoring. Her journey led her from women’s prêt-à-porter to bespoke men’s tailoring, eventually focusing on bridal couture. A pivotal moment came while working with haute couture bridal clients in Milan and Rome, particularly catering to exacting international buyers. These experiences refined her attention to detail and fueled her drive for excellence.

Manuela’s dedication to her craft has earned her accolades, including second place in the Golden Mannequin Competition (2017) and a special award for garment quality at Fashion d’Autore (2022). In 2023, she proudly showcased her work at the 39th World Congress of WFMT Master Tailors in Biella, presenting intricate bridal and eveningwear designs.

BIOGRAPHY

Photographer: Ranzellace Medrano - @ranzellmedranoph
Model: Jenny Di Marco - @jenny.di.marco
Agency: JDM model management - @jdm.modelsmanagement
Stylist: Manuela Bonizzoni - @unicamortara
Make up Artist: Marko Urbani - @marko_urbani_makeup
Assistant Make Up: Sveva Del Campo - @svevadelcampo
Clothes: Unica Mortara

Despite her professional accomplishments, Manuela’s life is deeply rooted in family. With her husband’s unwavering support and help from her parents, she balances her demanding career with raising their daughter. Her craft requires late nights, immense patience, and a relentless commitment to quality, values she upholds with pride.

Manuela’s philosophy centers on the artistry and authenticity of tailoring. In a world increasingly dominated by fast fashion, she champions the timeless elegance of traditional methods, from initial sketches to the final stitch. For her, tailoring is not merely about dressing a body—it is about capturing a person’s character and essence in every garment.

By establishing Unica Sartoria in her hometown, Manuela aims to revive the appreciation for small-town artisans. She dreams of crafting intricate designs rich in draping and embroidery, not just for the catwalk but for everyday elegance. Her mission is clear: to remind the world that true bespoke tailoring is a celebration of individuality, expression, and enduring quality.

In Manuela’s words, “True, artisanal, tailor-made tailoring is not just dressing a body, but dressing one’s expression and charisma.” Through her passion and vision, she continues to inspire, one stitch at a time.