Vitalina Ghinzelli A Vision Turning Hats into Wearable Sculpture, Redefining Modern Millinery Through Craft, Courage, and Imagination.

lheuremagazine
Jan 3
4 min read

Born Thaís Maria Vitalina Ghinzelli, professionally known as Vitalina Ghinzelli, she is a distinguished milliner and fashion designer based in New Jersey, close to New York City. Celebrated for her handcrafted hats, Vitalina’s work blends timeless elegance with contemporary flair. A visionary within luxury fashion, she creates statement pieces that embody sophistication and individuality, driven by a fascination with wearable sculpture and the space where art and fashion intersect.

Vitalina was born in Antônio Prado, a charming Italian-influenced town in southern Brazil. Her name carries deep family meaning: Maria, in honor of her maternal grandmother, and Vitalina, after her paternal grandmother. Raised among vineyards and the quiet beauty of the countryside, she was immersed in creativity from an early age. Her mother, a skilled embroiderer and quilter, introduced her to textiles and craftsmanship, teaching her the art of stitching. These early experiences with needle and thread laid the foundation for Vitalina’s lifelong connection to design and making.

Initially, Vitalina followed a more conventional path. Between the ages of twelve and seventeen, she worked as a secretary in a dental office, and at nineteen she began studying business administration. That same year, she ventured to Italy, using her Italian citizenship to explore life in her ancestral homeland. However, sustaining herself independently proved challenging, and with limited time to establish roots, she returned briefly to Brazil before ultimately relocating to the United States. There, supported by extended family, she worked as a waitress and in her family’s construction business while searching for a deeper sense of purpose.

Her love for fashion, artistry, and horses eventually led her to millinery. Self-taught and later mentored by renowned milliners in the south of France and in London, Vitalina discovered her true calling. Hats became her medium of expression, objects that allow individuality, confidence, and imagination to take form.

A passionate traveler at heart, Vitalina draws inspiration from remote and unconventional destinations that feed her adventurous spirit. Among the places that have left a lasting impression are the icy expanses of Antarctica, the Arctic outpost of Longyearbyen in Svalbard, and the biodiverse Galápagos Islands. Each journey imprints textures, colors, and atmospheres that later find their way into her creative work. Today, she holds triple citizenship, Brazilian, Italian, and American, a reflection of her layered heritage and global journey.

Vitalina is not married and has no children, but she shares a close bond with her three nieces, who hold a special place in her heart. Deeply passionate about animal welfare, she cares for a colony of feral cats and actively supports initiatives that encourage self-belief and empowerment. Currently, she is expanding her brand into ready-to-wear with her debut dress collection, including the Vita Dress, which she is taking time to perfect. At the same time, she continues to redefine modern millinery through her original, timeless creations. She is steadily emerging as a compelling voice in contemporary millinery, with her handcrafted hats captivating fashion enthusiasts and industry insiders around the world. Her distinctive designs, marked by artistry, craftsmanship, and innovation, have been featured in local publications across New Jersey, New York, and Georgia, as well as internationally in France, England, Thailand, Brazil, Australia, and the Emirates. While formal awards have yet to follow, her growing global visibility signals a rising presence within the fashion landscape.

Vitalina Ghinzelli measures success through meaningful moments like seeing her hat creations published across the world and/or being invited for interviews by respected magazines such as L’Heure is equally priceless. And perhaps overhearing conversations about her work, people talking about her designs without knowing she is the designer herself. Denim Pillbox & Fingerprint Hat Collection

Vitalina Ghinzelli introduces a refined collection of denim pillbox hats, blending sophistication with everyday wearability. These handcrafted pieces reinterpret the classic pillbox silhouette with a modern sensibility, balancing timeless elegance and contemporary ease. Made from premium denim, each hat offers a polished yet approachable aesthetic, designed to elevate casual looks while complementing more formal ensembles.

**VITALINA GHINZELLI DENIM PILLBOX & FINGERPRINT HAT COLLECTION**

Inspired by the clean lines and understated glamour of the 1960s, the pillbox hats frame the face beautifully, projecting confidence and individuality. Their lightweight, brimless construction ensures comfort and practicality, making them suitable for both daily wear and special occasions.

The collection also debuts the Fingerprint Hats, a bold evolution of Vitalina’s signature style. Each piece features distinctive textural patterns inspired by fingerprints, symbolizing personal identity and artistic expression. Available in a range of finishes, from subtle denim weaves to more expressive hand-stitched details, these hats make a statement while maintaining Vitalina’s hallmark elegance.

Rooted in her passion for craftsmanship and shaped by global inspirations, from Brazil’s vineyards to Antarctica’s icy expanses, the collection reflects a balance of heritage and innovation. Designed to empower and inspire, these pieces redefine contemporary millinery with originality and grace.

The Fingerprint Hats are set to launch soon on the website. Stay tuned.

Behind the Scenes with Vitalina Ghinzelli: Exclusive Interview!

L’Heure: How have your Italian-Brazilian roots and your grandmothers' legacy shaped your identity as a designer?

Vitalina: My Italian-Brazilian roots and the legacy of my grandmothers have shaped me in subtle yet meaningful ways. From them I inherited a sense of craftsmanship and tradition, they taught me small things like crochet and culinary skills, which instilled in me an appreciation for detail and the handmade. Yet, it is truly my surroundings that have influenced me the most as a designer. I absorb inspiration from the world around me and reinterpret it into my work, as seen at the Venice Film Festival with my crochet grape hats, which reflected both heritage and environment in a contemporary, wearable form.

Discover the full story of Vitalina's journey. Click here to read the complete article.