ELISA TROMBATORE

Elisa Trombatore, the visionary designer behind Dreaming Eli, constructs a universe where femininity is neither delicate nor restrained, but an evolving language of self-expression. Through ethereal yet commanding garments, she explores the tension between fragility and strength, nostalgia and rebellion, heritage and reinvention. Each piece is imbued with craftsmanship and an intimate connection to her roots. “For me, femininity is not a fixed concept but a dialogue — something that evolves, something that we as women define through our own experiences,” she explains.

Words by Carolina Anzalone.

Taty Zelenkevich at Castaway Model Management photographed by Alex Hutchinson. Styled by Tasha Arguile. Special thanks to Ryan Hornby. Shot in Bali, Indonesia. All credits by Dreaming Eli.

Born in Sicily, Elisa's formative years were steeped in artistic traditions, where craftsmanship served as a form of storytelling. This heritage translates into her designs, which merge artisanal techniques with avant-garde fabric manipulation. “Sicily has been conquered basically by everyone. So I grew up seeing all these opposite aesthetic visions working together and somehow creating something beautiful.”

Yet it is in London that Dreaming Eli has flourished, blending meticulous Sicilian craftsmanship with the city’s experimental energy. This duality — nostalgia and modernity — lies at the core of her brand. Rather than merely referencing her origins, she reinterprets them, deconstructing and reconstructing traditional techniques. “Sicily is always with me — not in a literal way, but in the way I approach craftsmanship, storytelling, and the weight of history in my work.”

Elisa’s process is deeply intuitive, driven by emotion rather than formula. Her silhouettes feel sculptural, with corsetry — a recurring motif — balancing restriction and liberation. This autobiographical element makes Dreaming Eli more than fashion; it is storytelling, a crafted world inviting wearers into vulnerability, self-awareness, and strength. “It isn’t just about the clothes —  though it has probably never been just about the clothes. Now, more than ever, it is about building my universe: one of movement, texture, and colours that felt necessary for me to exist in,” she says.

Sicily’s rich contrasts — Baroque opulence set against stark landscapes, history echoing in every corner — instil theatricality and depth into Elisa’s vision. Her exploration of femininity rejects rigid definitions, embracing the multifaceted nature of womanhood. Her collections challenge the notion that femininity must be soft or fragile, proving it can be bold, complex, and ever-evolving. Strength and delicacy coexist in her designs, celebrating the nuances of womanhood and the power of clothing to shape identity. “I don’t want my designs to dictate how someone should feel — I want them to act as a mirror, reflecting the complexity and beauty of the wearer,” she explains.

The concept behind the collection Mother of Pearl, Daughter of Flesh delves into the essence of womanhood, inspired by the way oysters produce a mother-of-pearl — a symbol of resilience, transformation, and beauty born from self-protection. This idea of hidden strength led her to Scylla, a mythological figure both feared and misunderstood. This duality — soft yet unsettling, delicate yet powerful — defines the collection, with pearls, intricate embroidery, and romantic draping embodying the tension between beauty and eeriness.

For Dreaming Eli’s Spring Summer 2025 collection, Elisa continues her intuitive, experimental approach. The process begins with fabric draping and manipulation, letting the materials guide her. It’s an organic discovery — almost like unearthing something that already exists within the fabric. She’s drawn to contrasts: fluidity versus restriction, power versus repulsion. The resulting pieces feel like relics from a dream, imbued with emotion, history, and an invitation to enter a world where women exist without boundaries. “I want to continue challenging the perception of femininity, embracing its depth and contradictions, creating garments that allow the wearer to embody this notion.”

Beyond aesthetics, Dreaming Eli stands firmly on craftsmanship and ethical production. In an industry often dominated by mass production, Elisa Trombatore remains devoted to slow fashion, ensuring traditional techniques are preserved while recontextualised within a contemporary framework. Her meticulous attention to detail reinforces fashion as an art form — one that transcends trends and leaves a lasting imprint on culture and emotion. “Femininity is never just one thing — it is soft and strong, delicate and defiant. My designs are an exploration of that balance.”

Dreaming Eli is an ode to contradiction — an exploration of visibility, vulnerability, and power. Each piece is a manifesto, an invitation to step into a world where fashion is not merely fabric and thread, but a vessel for storytelling, memory, and dreams.

This Designer Profile is part of The Island Issue 14. Purchase your copy here.