I'm Chiara Bello, designer and founder of Chic Pig, a brand of fun and colorful animal-themed jewelry. My roots are deeply embedded in Turin, but my creative spirit has been nurtured through extensive stays in London and Zurich. Now, as a creative mom living by the sea in Genoa, my life is beautifully chaotic, woven with the threads of creativity and the joys of motherhood.
Motherhood began for me at the age of 40, an experience both exhilarating and daunting. My son Pietro, born in 2017, is a fiery redhead with a penchant for inventing quirky gadgets and games. Contrary to the common narrative, I believe that children do not halt your life; they enrich it with endless creativity and adventure. Even with Pietro in tow, I've continued to travel, exploring the world and gathering inspiration for my designs.
I won't deny that my life has changed, of course, but the transformation, like all creative processes, involved leaving behind my old lifestyle and embracing a new, even more colorful, chaotic, and fun one. Having children and becoming childlike again is great for creativity!
However, the early days were tough—I struggled with baby blues, feeling overwhelmed and I felt like I had lost everything about myself, and work helped me find that part of myself that hadn't changed with motherhood.
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Creativity in motherhood has been a rebirth for me. Engaging in artistic activities with Pietro—whether painting, crafting roads and parking lots for his toy cars, or constructing imaginative sculptures—has not only strengthened our bond but also reignited my passion for art and design. These activities have transformed our home into a studio with imagination, with both of us as artists and clients.
Recently, Pietro took part in Bijorca Paris and TA-DAAN Pop Up store during Milan Design Week, experiences that highlighted the stark contrasts between the adult and children's worlds. As a creative mom, I long for a future where these realms are not divided but are instead a continuous spectrum of curiosity and vibrancy.In my life, I've been inspired by several remarkable women: photographer Federica Simoni, designer Luisa Bertoldo, and the ever-energetic Johanna Maggy. Their diverse perspectives have profoundly enriched my appreciation of both life and art.
Through my journey from designer to creative mom, I've learned that creativity does not just create art—it creates life, laughter, and endless possibilities.
