We first met in Venice while she was presenting her exquisite table-setting collaboration with Acqua di Parma. A phone call followed, and soon after, we met again in Milan, in her charming, art-filled studio, a cozy yet inspiring space. This is how Gala Rotelli introduces herself, a woman I would personally describe as a “force of nature.”
Born into a family of artists and architects—her father, Marco Nereo Rotelli, is one of Italy’s most renowned contemporary artists—Gala developed a passion for design from an early age. Even her name carries an artistic legacy. “I was named after Gala, Salvador Dalí’s muse, but also because in Greek, ‘gala’ means rose and milk, symbols of purity,” she shares, before adding that it also means ornament—nomen omen, indeed. Her studies and professional experiences across Europe and America have shaped a distinctive, eclectic, and conceptual style.
After earning a degree in Architecture from the University of Florence, she worked in Milan -including a role as a public relations executive at a major PR firm - before moving to New York. Her education continued with a course in Design and Trend Forecasting at Parsons School of Design in Paris, a specialization in Modern Art at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, and a Master’s in Jewelry Design at the Politecnico di Milano.
“Through my ‘Poetic design’ approach I embrace beauty in fragility and imperfection.”
Her work is divided into two main areas: her custom jewelry brand (which sells exeptionally well both online and through her showroom appointmants) and tailored creative consulting. With a focus on artistic craftsmanship and Made in Italy excellence, Gala’s semi-precious yet contemporary jewelry blends timeless artistry with a bold, feminine vision. Her philosophy of “Poetic Design” celebrates beauty in fragility and imperfection. “Poetic design is about embracing beauty in fragility and imperfection,” she explains, highlighting how her creative approach transforms delicate elements into timeless expressions of art.
Her studio embraces a multidisciplinary approach, spanning interior and set design, object and accessory creation, and creative consulting for brands, architecture firms, and the hospitality industry. Gala personally oversees each phase, from brainstorming and design to production and setup, always prioritizing Italian craftsmanship and tradition. Over the years, she has collaborated with Acqua di Parma, Campomarzio70, Baglioni Hotel, and the Kennedy Foundation for Human Rights.
But what truly sets Gala apart-reflected in both her jewelry and objets de vivre-is her unique style and exceptional eclecticism. She embodies the cultured, effortlessly chic Milanese woman, with a refined yet intentional aesthetic reminiscent of the iconic milanese ladies celebrated by Instagram account @sciuragram. At the same time, her boundless curiosity allows her to explore new creative worlds, seamlessly moving from jewelry to design to painting, all while staying true to her Milanese essence.
As we chat over an espresso (a real espresso) served in delicate porcelain cups she designed herself, she shares a dream: to take the creative helm of a historic Milanese jewelry house. For now, though, “I am studying different ways of communicating art, creating 360-degree artistic experiences that are accessible to everyone,” she shares, revealing her vision for the future.
And what does the future hold for her? Only her “poetic design“ vision would tell.
For more information: www.galarotelli.com ; @galarotellistudio .
