IN SOFT
REBELLION
Dreaming Eli by Elisa Trombatore appears in The Genesis Issue of LUMEN — a celebration of feminine creation, rebirth, and visionary storytelling.
Fashion 16 June / Interview Feature
IN SOFT REBELLION
Designer Elisa Trombatore Words STL.YE.NO1
There's something otherworldly about Dreaming Eli by Elisa Trombatore
- a brand where craftsmanship and fantasy entwine, and where garments feel less like fashion and more like portals. Rooted in surreal femininity and emotional vulnerability, Elisa's designs exude the kind of storytelling that speaks to both past and future. For The Genesis Issue, we invited the London-based Sicilian designer to
share her thoughts on creation, vision, and the dreamlike strength of womanhood.
1. Dreaming Eli has such a distinct visual language — somewhere between the intimate, the surreal, and the empowered. What inspired the birth of the brand?
Dreaming Eli draws deeply from my Sicilian heritage, exploring themes of transformation, sensuality, and the intricate beauty of the female form. The brand was born from a desire to empower women and to reframe traditional symbols of femininity. I reimagine Victorian corsetry and handcraft bold, sculptural silhouettes that blend historical references with a modern edge. Each collection is an emotional and tactile journey, rooted in intimacy, craftsmanship, and a continuous push to redefine the boundaries of modern femininity.
2. Your work often merges classical techniques with modern sensibilities. How do you balance tradition and innovation in your designs?
Craftmanship is the foundation of every piece I design. Designed and produced in our London studio, I personally hand-drape every garment, sculpting each one with care and intention, whilst also making each piece inherently unique and one of a kind. Our pieces are made to order, meaning we take our clients exact measurement so our pieces are truly created for the dreaming angel that receives it. Using organic dyeing techniques and carefully sourcing vintage fabrics, embracing the imperfect nature of the materials. The search for the beauty in the imperfection.
CORSET DRESS - "SCYLLA"
MIDI CORSET - WILD OYSTER FLESH
LACE JEANS - "WET DESIRE"
3. You contributed pieces to our Genesis editorial. What does the idea of “genesis” mean to you as a female designer?
Genesis to me represents the everchanging nature of my work and designs. My most recent season introduces the Dreaming Eli woman who has emerged from pain, reclaimed her body, and reshaped her identity on her own terms. Each collection marks a shift, a catalyst for transformation tracing the emotional landscapes we navigate as women. It felt meaningful to contribute to something that recognises that evolution.
PURPLE DRESS - "WET DESIRE"
STRETCH SKIRT - "I HUG
MY BEAUTY TIGHT"
DREAMING ELI - autumn/winter2025
4. Your aesthetic feels like a visual dream — sometimes romantic, sometimes haunting. How do you want people to feel when they wear your designs?
I want anyone who wears Dreaming Eli to feel entranced. The pieces are about emotional expression and sexual freedom, encouraging the wearer to feel empowered, unfiltered, and free to inhabit whatever version of themselves feels most true in that moment. It’s about breaking away from expectation and embracing your own narrative.
SKIN LAYERED CROP TOP -
"UNDER MY SEASHELL"
CARGO TROUSERS - "UNDER MY SEASHELL"
5. As a female founder, what do you think needs to change in the fashion industry to support more womenled narratives?
The industry needs to make more space for women — not just as muses or trendsetters, but as decision makers, storytellers, and visionaries. We need to see more women influencing the industry’s direction from the inside, guiding conversations, shaping systems, and setting new standards. Supporting female designers means investing in their independence, amplifying their voices, and valuing design that reflects lived experience rather than market formulas.
DREAMING ELI -
EXPLORE THE FULL FEATURE AND EDITORIAL IN OUR STORY HERE
MINI CORSET - "I HUG
MY BEAUTY TIGHT"
SKIRT - "MOTHER OF PEARL"