About
The Story
Hi, my name is Valeria Franci, and I am the founder of Circular Atelier Amager.
Everything began after I moved from Italy to Copenhagen, where I got in touch with a Danish NGO called Materiale Centralen, which was dedicated to promoting awareness about discarded materials that are still very good for reuse. Here, I organized and ran workshops at public events and Copenhagen Fablab, teaching people how to repair or transform clothing and use soft materials to create new items.
During this time, I began experimenting with second-hand materials and creating small collections of accessories based on my own taste and creativity. I have always loved working with my hands, ever since I was a kid.
My background is in design. I studied graphic design in high school and earned a bachelor’s degree in Visual Design from the University of Florence (Italy). After seven years of experience in the field, helping small and medium companies develop their brand images and websites, I decided to start my own journey, shifting my focus to something with great value in today’s world.
The Atelier
Circular Atelier Amager was established in February 2023. It is located in an old building on Brysselgade in Amager, and the small space—only 25 m²—is used in various ways.
The Atelier serves as a workshop and creative space where clothing ( and not only) is repaired, altered, refashioned, or transformed into something new.
Secondhand, discarded, or deadstock materials are repurposed to create custom-made products.
The space also hosts sewing lessons, discussions on the impacts of fast fashion, and provides opportunities for collaboration with other professionals to inspire change in the industry.