Tommaso Motti has birthed a technical brain-child that appears to be from an interstellar ancient civilization.
The captivating and ambitious founder of TMMT, has an inspiring journey that reflects his humility and creativity. Doing all of his work by hand, Tommaso's designs have gained popularity on account of his innovative silhouettes and fabrics. His signature volumetric approach incorporates padding to create a clear and unique design language. His creations have been worn by celebrities such as Sfera Ebbasta, Trippie Redd, Chris Brown, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Today, his design language is unparalleled, carving out a completely new lane for himself.
Growing up in Genova, Italy, Tommaso began by reselling clothes; at the time he never imagined making his own. However, a significant moment occurred when his father's friends suggested him to design his own clothes. This sparked a transformation. During his senior year of high school, Tommaso dropped out to pursue his passion for fashion design. He launched his first collection that same year and established his brand, TMMT. Moving to Milan, he enrolled at Istituto Marangoni for a year and continued his education and evolution independently from home, something he has been doing non-stop for four years now.
Despite being profoundly impacted by figures like Virgil Abloh and Kanye West, his aesthetic vision is completely his own. This is due to his unique philosophy; he truly believes that ideas come from above. Through isolating himself in his workspace he takes the time to download inspiration from the ether;
"I don't use mood boards or inspirational pictures. I get an idea and go straight to my sewing machine," he says.
This intuitive approach allows him to transform abstract ideas into tangible never-seen-before designs using only his most reliable tools: hands, scissors, and his sewing machine.
Working from home has become a distinctive aspect of his creative process, allowing him to maintain motivation and creativity within his personal space. "My home environment is wherever my work is, and that's all I need," he says, emphasizing the poetic intertwining of his home and work life. His work is his home and his home is his work. Despite the challenges of limited space, Tommaso knows that it’s all part of the process.
For Tommasso, having such a small business also has its perks. Initially, it allows him to have the creative freedom to explore his futuristic aesthetic.
"My brand has a future aesthetic, but it's also deeply rooted in Italian culture," he explains.
Another is that it makes sustainability easier to incorporate, something that Tommaso does not lack at all since he keeps all the fabric he has left over for later use as patchwork or bad loops. For him, a lot of brands misuse the term 'sustainability', stating,
“There's no such thing as completely sustainable, and that's a fact but many brands announce big campaigns and projects regarding it and at the same time, overproduce. If you look online, you'll see places full of waste and unsold clothes—it’s devastating. Sustainability should be practiced daily, and big brands packing everything in plastic bags and using seven different tags while claiming sustainability is just wrong.”
Looking ahead, Tommaso envisions TMMT as a brand that remains true to its core values—respect, love, and faith in God. These principles drive his work and inspire him to challenge the current fashion system. He dreams of having a laboratory and a dedicated team, ensuring everyone feels valued and well-compensated. No one can predict the future but we can prevent it from declining, Tommaso Motti advises aspiring designers to
"go after what you want, but don’t fall into the traps of the 'easy life.' Social media often makes success appear effortless, but there's a lot of hard work behind everything you see. Be ready for the journey because it's a long one, not a matter of weeks or months. Also, watch out for The Matrix.”
Tommaso Motti’s journey to becoming an influential fashion designer is a compelling narrative of dedication, creativity, and resilience. His unique approach to drawing inspiration from what seems like a different dimension, combined with his commitment to evolving and innovating traditional Italian craftsmanship, sets TMMT apart in the fashion industry. Tommaso’s critique of current industry practices reveals a designer deeply committed to authenticity and ethical values. As he continues to challenge the norms of the fashion industry, his story serves as a powerful reminder that true success comes from perseverance, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to one’s vision, paving the way for a more genuine and mindful approach to creating.
