“The term freedom notoriously has many meanings, but perhaps the kind of freedom that is most accessible, most subjectively enjoyed, and most useful to the human consortium, coincides with being competent in one’s own work, and therefore with taking pleasure in carrying it out..”
— Primo Levi, The Wrench
It is from this reflection by Primo Levi that the spirit of Stile Bottega was, in a sense, born: the freedom that comes from knowing how to do something well, from recognizing one’s profession as a form of pleasure and identity.
A Shared Vision Takes Root
It all started with a chance encounter during a job interview.
Luca and Christian met almost by accident, yet an immediate professional and human synergy blossomed between them—one built on mutual curiosity and a shared vision.
Their paths initially diverged: new experiences, fresh challenges, and a period spent abroad enriched both their careers. But that early understanding, formed years before, never faded. Instead, it became the foundation for a shared project, a journey built step-by-step, all united by the same core idea: to create something authentic, enduring, and uniquely their own.
The Origins: From the Workshop to the Idea
Stile Bottega officially launched in 2013! The name, which translates to "Workshop Style," was no accident. The founders didn't want a personal brand (like a combination of their surnames), but a name that represented a collective identity. "Bottega" evokes the place where a craft is learned and mastered. At the heart of a Bottega is the positive blending of different experiences, perspectives, and sensibilities, which together create a value of mutual enrichment.
The early years were an uphill climb: high energy, limited resources, and intense competition that left no room for hesitation. But there was a clear direction, almost an instinct: to build something ours, step by step, with the dedication of those who believe in their work and the passion of those who cannot imagine being anywhere else.
The Growth: From Ideas to People
Today, Stile Bottega has around 30 professionals who collaborate with our studio daily, operating from two locations in Bologna and Rome.
Investing in people has been, and continues to be, our most important challenge. It’s not just about roles or skills; it's about trust, listening, and shared vision. It means believing that the value of a group is not measured by numbers, but by the passion each individual brings to their work. And it is precisely this shared passion, this collective "doing," that allows our studio to grow every single day.
The Challenge of Authenticity
After so many years of experience, a natural question arises: What are the challenges of today? Today's challenges are very different from those at the beginning. Once, the difficulty lay in getting known and building credibility. Now, the real challenge is remaining authentic in a fast-paced world, where technology changes daily and machines can perform some of our tasks. However, there are aspects that no algorithm can ever imitate: passion, intuition, and the love for the craft. For us at Stile Bottega, the future means returning to the fundamentals—rediscovering the value of doing, of building with both hands and mind, and passing on the kind of passion to new generations that truly makes a difference.
This is the path we want to continue following: a balance between innovation and humanity, between technology and heart. Because what unites the people in this group, even after all these years, is still the passion for doing—the kind that transforms a job into freedom.
