My Leap Into Design: Why Rome Was the Perfect Place

Before choosing design, I began studying languages and marketing at Stockholm University. As much as I loved languages and communication, I soon realized it was not the creative path I wanted to follow.

I loved fashion, but I was always more drawn to the details: shoes, bags, and accessories. So when the opportunity came to study shoe and accessory design, it felt like the perfect direction.

Since childhood, I have loved accessories and details. I remember always preferring shoes, bags, and accessories over clothing. When we lived in Peru, my mom and I would get matching bags, and I always had the mini version. My first mini leather bag was from Peru, and I loved it so much.

Dariya and Lana in Peru

Dariya’s first leather bag

Peru memories with my mom — matching bags and my first leather bag

Why Rome Felt Right

Before deciding to study in Italy, I had visited both Rome and Milan a few times, but Rome felt especially personal to me.

Milan is an incredible city with its own strong fashion identity, but Rome spoke to me in a different way. I was drawn to its history, ancient architecture, art, culture, and the beauty of everyday life. For me, Rome offered a sense of inspiration rooted in culture, craftsmanship, and timeless design. It was a city where the past and present existed side by side, making it an inspiring place to begin my design journey.

Life as a Design Student in Rome

The school I chose was IED — Istituto Europeo di Design in Rome, where I studied for three years. My studies were conducted in Italian, beginning with an intensive language course during the summer before the semester started. Since I already spoke Spanish, learning Italian came more naturally, but I still had to adapt quickly to both the language and the culture.

During my time in Rome, I lived in Trastevere, close to the Testaccio area, with roommates. My school was in Testaccio, within walking distance from where I lived, about 15–20 minutes away. The area became an important part of my experience in Rome, with local streets, trattorias, small shops, and evenings with friends after school.

The picture below shows the view from Il Terrazzo, the terrace of the house where I lived. It was a place where we would gather for dinner with friends, unwind after a long week of school, and enjoy the rhythm of student life in Rome. During school breaks, I often traveled back to Stockholm to visit my family.

Il Terrazzo

Rome as Inspiration

Rome became part of my creative world. Its streets, history, architecture, art , and details inspired the way I saw design.

Colosseo, Rome

Dariya Repina in Rome

Piazza Venezia, Rome — view of Il Vittoriano

Street performers in Rome

Piazza di Spagna, Rome

Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome

Piazza Di Spagna

Scenic view of Rome

Foro Romano, Rome

Rome — City of Inspiration

Dariya and Lana in Rome

Rome, italy

Dariya and Lana in Rome

With my mom, Lana, in Rome

Fontana Di Trevi, Rome

Piazza Navona, Rome

Piazza del Popolo, Rome

Scenic view of Rome, Italy

Piazza Navona, Rome

Rome — City of Inspiration

FIRENZE

When my mom came to visit me in Rome, we decided to spend a couple of days in Florence, a city neither of us had visited before. It felt special to discover it together.

Walking through the streets of Florence felt like stepping into another chapter of Italian creativity. Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is famous for its art, architecture, museums, leather craftsmanship, and timeless beauty. Surrounded by Renaissance details, warm colors, historic buildings, and inspiring streets, the city felt like an open-air museum — full of history, culture, and creativity at every turn.

Bust of Benvenuto Cellini on Ponte Vecchio in Florence

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Duomo di Firenze, Florence

Duomo di Firenze, Florence

Piazza della Signoria, Florence

Piazza della Signoria, Florence

Exploring Florence

What 'Made in Italy' Means to Me

I truly cherished my time studying and living in Rome, as well as exploring other cities throughout the country. To me, studying design in Italy was the best choice because "Made in Italy" represents more than a country of origin. It stands for quality, craftsmanship, attention to detail, tradition, and a deep respect for materials.

In fashion and accessories, it carries a history of skilled artisanship, from leatherwork and tailoring to design and production. Studying in Italy allowed me to understand that beauty is not only about how something looks, but also how it is made. There is no doubt that Italy will continue to influence my work and creative vision in the future.

My next post — From Sketch to Reality: My First Designs as a Student