In this interview, stylist and art director Elisa Cresci shares the origins of her creative path, the birth of Unrefined Studio, and the philosophy behind Grezzo. Through her words, she reveals what “raw” truly means in her work, how instinct and authenticity guide her process, and how the synergy with her partner fuels both their visual research and their shared artistic identity.
What was the “raw” moment in your journey when you realized fashion would become your language?
Since I was a child, everyone told me I should cultivate my artistic side, and as I grew up, I felt an increasing need to express myself through something visual. There wasn’t a single defining moment, but rather a series of small signs that made me understand that fashion was the most natural way for me to tell my story.
I chose the path of stylist and art director because I’ve always struggled to express myself verbally; through images, I finally felt able to communicate. Today, this work not only helps me give shape to my emotions, but also allows me to make the people I meet feel good, to make them feel valued and at ease. To me, that’s the true power of visual language.
How was Unrefined Studio born, and what creative need were you trying to meet by choosing to build a duo instead of working alone?
When Elena (my partner) and I finished our path at Marangoni, we looked at each other and realized that it would almost be unnatural not to continue together. During university, we had already built a spontaneous balance, a way of collaborating that pushed us beyond our individual limits.
So we decided to turn that synergy into something concrete and created Unrefined Studio. Being a duo means having a creative shoulder to lean on, someone who instantly understands an idea and enriches it. We complement each other authentically: we’re friends before we are partners, and that creates a work environment where we feel free to experiment, make mistakes, and grow. I couldn’t ask for a better partner to face every new challenge.
“Grezzo” was born without filters or superstructures. What does it mean for you today to truly work in a raw way?
The Grezzo project was born from a need Elena and I had felt for a long time: bringing to Italy a format that didn’t exist yet, a convivial, immediate, and sincere space where we could talk about what really inspires us — fashion, pop culture, creativity — without the pressure of being “perfect.”
Working in a raw way means removing weight from expectations, giving space to instinct, and not being afraid to show what isn’t polished or finished.
Grezzo has become a sort of creative refuge, a place where we can be fully ourselves and freely share our visions. We’re grateful to open this window into our world, and we hope the project continues to grow, to be understood, and to reach those who are searching for a more authentic and spontaneous dialogue.
When you start a styling job, where do you truly begin: with a moodboard, a cultural reference, or a personal feeling?
It depends a lot on the project: whether it’s an editorial, a personal styling session, or a campaign, I always start from the essence of the person or brand I’m working with. It’s essential for me to understand the roots, the identity, and the message we want to convey, and from there build my own interpretation.
I’m very passionate about cinema and music, so my work is often influenced by visual or sound references from those worlds. I love including small cameos or easter eggs that recall something iconic: details that maybe only a few notice, but that add depth and a narrative touch to the final outcome.
Sometimes I start from a feeling, sometimes from an image, and other times from a cultural reference — but what truly matters is creating an authentic dialogue with what or whom I’m portraying.
How do your styling work and the Grezzo project intertwine? In what way does the podcast fuel Unrefined Studio’s visual research?
They are deeply connected, mostly because at the core there are always Elena and me: the same vision, the same energy, the same desire to share our perspective with the world. Our goal is to make even beginners feel close to this universe, and that’s probably what makes us proudest.
Visually, there is a constant connection: Grezzo’s aesthetic is the perfect blend of our two identities, and that balance naturally returns when we work on styling. The podcast pushes us to reflect, to confront each other, to look at fashion and pop culture with fresh eyes — and this process continually fuels Unrefined Studio’s visual research.
It’s like a creative dialogue with no interruptions: what is born through conversation often becomes imagery.
In a landscape where many visual narratives feel constructed and filtered, how do you at Unrefined Studio create images and content that remain authentic, impactful, and true to your philosophy?
This is an important question. We live in a world where everything appears polished, precise, curated — where it feels like we must always be impeccable. Instead, I choose — and we choose — to stay true to our origins, to what we’ve learned, and to what we keep absorbing every day.
Grezzo is named that way precisely because of this: we know we’re young, we know we’ll make mistakes, and we embrace that part of the journey as a value, not a flaw.
In the way we expose ourselves, in the editing, in how we speak and confront each other, we always try to remain authentic, spontaneous, and rooted in our thoughts.
I believe the strongest visual impact comes from this: not forcing an image that isn’t ours, allowing imperfection to be a form of sincerity. That’s what makes our work recognizable and, hopefully, meaningful.
