Moleskine x Made in Carcere
A conversation on the transformative power of creativity
We believe creativity has power. Few organizations have dedicated themselves to leveraging on creativity to drive social change like Made in Carcere, an organization which has created an ethical business model based on the principles of inclusivity, regeneration and respect for the environment. Moleskine shares this belief in second chances and is proud to partner with Made in Carcere. Today, we speak with the Organization CEO and Founder Luciana Delle Donne about individual and collective empowering, everyone’s right to second chances and the transformative power of creativity.
Your NGO is called “Officina Creativa” – a name that seems to suggest that you also put creativity at the heart of your mission. Which role does creativity play in your project?
“Creativity for us is key to achieve the changes we want to promote together with a mix of social inclusion and environmental impact. We believe creativity is even more important in difficult situations to restore hope and beauty. In fact, we have always believed in the value of transforming weaknesses into strengths and creativity is key to make that happen. The way for example that small pieces of fabrics which are too small on their own, with a good dose of creativity can be assembled into something new and beautiful. The decision-making power of our female inmates in choosing the combinations helps them to restore some degree of self-esteem and confidence. This is how creativity takes shape for us, and the "creations" of Made in Carcere convey this valuable message —that beauty and creativity can exist even in places of degradation and marginalization”
How did the vision of offering a "second chance" to both individuals and materials, blending the social and environmental aspects of your initiative, come about?
“It happened spontaneously and by chance. I decided to focus on humanitarian aspects like social inclusion, mercy, and forgiveness as well as freedom and respect for the environment. When we first started we met many challenges, but we never gave up and eventually found our path based on producing various types of personalized accessories by (re)using sample and inventories fabrics. In fact, I soon realized that there was an incredible surplus of fabrics in warehouses destined to be discarded in landfill, and which instead we could use to produce colourful accessories in a new model of circular social economy that allow us to pay a regular salary to our inmates. Now, after 17 years, Made in Carcere has become a method, a model of not only a circular but also a regenerative, transformative, and reparative economy”. Our objects have a beautiful story to tell, made of love and dignity. They speak of environmental protection and social inclusion”.
“Our objects have a beautiful story to tell, a story made of love, hope and dignity. They speak of environmental protection and social inclusion”.
Thanks to your project, many women had the opportunity to restore a sense of purpose and dignity in their life. Could you explain a bit more about the impact of your program on those lives?
“This project has a very big impact on the lives of these women as it helps them find a new path in their lives filled with a growing sense of self-confidence, dignity, and purpose. Having a regular occupation, a steady income and being able to create beautiful objects gives them a sense of fulfilment, empowerment and faith for a better future. A future where they can hopefully be given a second chance for themselves and their families. Many of them are mothers and therefore bear the weight of dual responsibilities for their actions, not only for themselves but also for their children. This new opportunity restores a newfound hope and purpose in their maternal roles, ones they may have perceived as faltering. With the prospect of a steady income, they not only sustain themselves but also redeem their roles as providers for their children. This journey towards hope never fails to inspire me. Somehow despite the immense challenges they face, they discover a newfound sense of liberation within the confines of the prison. And we are very proud to be part of that journey”.
“This journey towards hope never fails to inspire me. Somehow despite the immense challenges they face, they discover a newfound sense of liberation within the confines of the prison. And we are very proud to be part of that journey”.
How did the collaboration between Moleskine and Made in Carcere come about, and what common values do you believe the two brands share?
The collaboration between Moleskine and Made in Carcere unfolded quite organically through a series of casual occurrences. The subsequent collaboration was driven by our shared values such as beauty, inclusivity, and, most importantly, our shared commitment to drive a positive social impact by leveraging on the transformative power of creativity. Working with Moleskine had always been a dream for us. Seeing "Moleskine x Made in Carcere" printed on the paper bags we crafted with unsold Moleskine planners filled us with pride. This shared commitment to values such as beauty, sobriety, and a positive impact aligns Moleskine and Made in Carcere in their collaborative journey.”
