Matea Benedetti

Matea Benedetti is an award-winning Slovenian fashion designer and the founder of Benedetti Life, a sustainable and animal-free luxury fashion label established in 2019. Renowned for her innovative approach to eco-conscious design, Matea blends luxury aesthetics with environmental responsibility, creating timeless pieces that transcend fleeting trends. Her work is deeply inspired by nature and wildlife, utilizing sustainable materials such as pineapple leather, plant-based silk, bamboo, organic cotton, and even recycled computer chips to craft her collections. With a commitment to ethical business practices, she prioritizes non-toxic, organic textiles and "Made in Italy" production processes that minimize environmental impact and uphold fair labor conditions.Before launching Benedetti Life, Matea spent 20 years as a costume designer for theaters and opera houses across Italy, Germany, and Slovenia, honing her craft after studying fashion design in Ljubljana and the Netherlands. Her transition to sustainable fashion was sparked by the emergence of innovative eco-friendly materials, which she saw as an opportunity to redefine luxury. Her designs have garnered international acclaim, appearing on red carpets worldwide—such as dressing South African actress Tarina Patel in a gown made from recycled computer chips at the 2024 Better World Fund Gala in Venice, and Maggie May Baird, mother of Billie Eilish, for the Oscars. Benedetti Life has been celebrated as a leading ethical luxury brand, earning accolades like the Eluxe Awards’ Symbol of Excellence and the Global Vegan Awards’ Best Brand for Luxury Vegan Fashion in 2021.Based in Slovenia, Matea continues to push the boundaries of sustainable fashion, with plans for a major event in September 2025 as part of the European Capital of Culture GO! Her mission is to drive positive change in the fashion industry, fostering a future where beauty, innovation, and environmental stewardship coexist harmoniously.