Cristina Ropa

Bloom as you are is inspired by the Buddhist principle of “cherry, plum, peach and wild plum” which enhances the beauty of diversity. According to the Buddhism every human being can make his unique and precious characteristics flourish and thus contribute to improving his life and the society that often leads us to compare ourselves to others, not to accept what we really are, to camouflage in short, what is our true nature. In this magazine I tell, together with other extraordinary boys and girls who will share this journey with me, the stories of young women and women who have succeeded in making their identity blossom beautifully, their most authentic self and expressing it in beautiful projects.

Just as the fragrance of a flower with its fragrance permeates everything around it, even those who have worked hard and courageously revealed their talent can inspire others to do the same.

Brave dialogues move life from the depths and change history. What I hope to be able to do, even if only minimally with this magazine, is to give new insights, to open new paths in the heart of readers and readers, to transmit the strength and beauty of women.

In Bloom as you are there are these sections

• Style, dedicated to designers with a sustainable soul. Women and young women who are making clothes by relying on workshops with a production in favor of local craftsmanship and the well-being of every single worker and worker.
• Lifestyle, to accompany you to discover fascinating and adventurous travel stories around the world!
• Features, with interviews with artists and others. There will be many new things every week: you will also find the stories of those who tenaciously with their profession are striving to achieve effective gender equality in society.
• Cultures, to fly back in time with stories of culture and of women who have left a significant mark on society.
• Onigiri, a column, subcategory of cultures, dedicated to Japan. Every two weeks Valentina will accompany us to discover always new curiosities about the wonderful land of the Rising Sun. Why Onigiri? Literally translated means “easy to grasp”. Valentina with immediacy and without filters will tell you the nuances of Japanese society from a new perspective, as you’ve never seen it before.
• Beauty, dedicated to advice on natural cosmetics to take care of our body in full respect of nature.

I warmly thank my parents for the wonderful example they are and will always be and my mentor of life Daisaku Ikeda who continually encourages me to believe in myself and in the infinite potential of life especially in that of young people.

A special thanks goes to them, to the very young, to whom I say “Dare, dare and still dare! Without fear to fully reveal your unique and precious mission!”.

I dedicate this magazine to my father,
my Lion King, a great champion of humanity, courage, loyalty.

Team

Born in 1988, born and raised in Bologna, I live in Tokyo with Alessio and a Christmas tree lit all year. Graduated in Communication Sciences, passionate about semiotics, lifestyle, food and words. I read books and listen to podcasts while I cook without looking at the recipes. I am sarcastic but I do not understand the irony of others. Capable of good advice, I try to live with Calvinian lightness without taking myself too seriously.

Valentina Vanini

As you might imagine, I am Italian-Japanese. I was born in Rome in 1994 but since 2014 I live in Bologna. I work in the field of disability and I am training in the audiovisual sector. For the past five years I have been trying to tell stories through my Nikon and I hope to tell yours too soon!

Tommaso Mitsuhiro Suzude

I was born in the late 80s in the wooded hills of the Castelli Romani. After completing my classical studies, after a brief London experience, I enrolled in the Faculty of Art History of La Sapienza in Rome, graduating with a thesis on the importance of wonder. The passion for illustration and graphics takes over during a year spent in Turin. Back in Rome I started dedicating myself completely to this new goal. For five years I have been working in a studio in Trastevere frequented by bizarre characters with whom I exchange ideas, skills and snacks. My works have been presented at the Turin Book Fair, at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and have appeared in magazines, websites and in various exhibitions. I define my style as a search for balance between accidental forms. In other words, my drawings are road accidents.

Laura Savina

Illustratrice

My first computer was given to me by my uncle. And with Paint and my 386, twenty years ago, I designed my first letterhead for my father: I was just over 10 years old! I smile at this anecdote. After collaborating in the design of museum exhibits at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome, I decided to fulfill my desire to create something personal: The Box Project.

Valentina Silvestri

theboxproject.it

For friends, I’m Nenne. Born in 1989 in Bologna where I still live, I still believe in fairy tales, princes and princesses. I love everything that the eye observes and what the heart tells the mind. I have a passion for yoga, for the sea and for photography. With luck and love I am treading and refining these three roads with great mentors.

Vanessa Iembo