Introducing Meet the Makers, our new portrait series celebrating the artisans, collaborators, and kindred spirits who embody the brand’s values. This initiative shines a light on the artisans and creators we collaborate with as well as other Italian artisans we admire, honouring the shared values of skill, integrity, and tradition.
A living archive of the hands, minds, and stories shaping true craftsmanship in Italy. Stay tuned as we bring our Italian community to life, one story at a time.
Our First Maker: Our Founder, Irene Forte
Who better to kick off our series than our Italian founder, Irene Forte.
1. What does craftsmanship mean to you?
Every aspect of our products, from the tactile stone-finished bottles and intricate watercolour liners to the ingredients cultivated on our organic farm here in Sicily, and the decades of research that transform them into high-performance skincare, reflects our commitment to craftsmanship.
Craftsmanship to me is about creating luxurious products, 100% made in Italy, with all sorts of crafts combined.
2. How did you start your journey?
I had spent several years at Rocco Forte Hotels, overseeing the spa and wellness offering, among other responsibilities. Through this experience, I recognised the opportunity to elevate natural, experiential formulations with scientific insight. I also wanted to create an Italian business with sustainability at its core.
I had the perfect foundation for this venture with our organic farm in Sicily, a place I had worked at during my year out from university. However, I knew I needed an expert scientific mind to bring my vision to life. After extensive research in Italy, I found the ideal partner in Dr. Francesca Ferri in early 2014. With over 40 years of experience in formulating clean cosmetics and food supplements, her philosophy perfectly aligned with mine. She was the ideal person to help me create a line grounded in nature, science, and sustainability.
After several years of development and extensive testing with elite spa professionals at Rocco Forte Spas, as well as traveling across Sicily to find the finest ingredients and artisans for packaging, display elements, and treatment tools, Irene Forte Skincare was born. The brand draws inspiration from the beauty of Sicily and the Mediterranean diet, blending these elements with science. Our products not only provide a luxurious sensory experience, with amazing fragrance and texture, but are also created using lab-formulated, allergen-screened fragrances, and are clinically approved for sensitive skin. As a B Corp certified brand, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, which was a key pillar in building this business.
3. What inspires you the most in your work?
Italy, and most importantly Sicily, serves as a profound source of inspiration behind my brand. The richness of Sicily—its people, their craftsmanship, talents, and the warmth they exude—along with its stunning landscapes and fertile soil, have deeply influenced my vision. I spent almost a year working in Sicily, and it holds a special place in my heart; I even got married in Caltabellotta and am honoured to be an honorary citizen of this beautiful town. I’m truly passionate about being able to transport people to Sicily through our products.
Dr. Francesca Ferri, with her decades of knowledge and experience, is also an incredible source of inspiration. She is, without a doubt, a power woman whose expertise and vision have been integral to bringing this brand to life. So, I’m forever grateful to her.
4. Why is it important to you that everything - from your own-grown ingredients to the packaging - is grown or crafted in Italy?
Italy is synonymous with craftsmanship, heritage, and quality, and being Italian myself, it was important for me to preserve and promote these rich traditions. By sourcing all our ingredients and packaging locally and collaborating with artisans for packaging elements, we support the local community and ensure the highest quality products. This approach also helps reduce our carbon footprint while ensuring that our customers receive the very best of what Italy has to offer. They need to be transported to Sicily! I mean it.
5. Can you tell me more about the ingredients you source?
Many of our ingredients are sourced directly from our certified organic farm in Sicily. When we look beyond our own farm, we partner with local farmers and generational growers who uphold time-honoured traditions. Our Pistachio Oil comes from a nearby farm, just 20 minutes away. The Gerbino Bianco white wine, prized for its fresh, antioxidant-rich properties, is sourced from the Di Giovanna vineyard, a short 40-minute drive from our estate. Even our water, drawn from the Geraci springs in the Madonie Natural Park, is in our skincare.
Beyond Sicily, we collaborate with trusted farmers in the Trentino region, where our lab is based.
All of our suppliers share our commitment to sustainability, ensuring that every ingredient is vegan, never over-farmed, and free from harmful pesticides.
6. Can you give me some specific examples of the craftsmanship behind your packaging?
100% made in Italy, each element is carefully crafted to reflect sustainability, artistry, and luxury. Our boxes are made from 100% recycled paper and inspired by the earthy colours in Sicily. We also collaborate with an artisan who hand-paints our box liners with a watercolour print of our Sicilian farm. Our glass bottles and jars contain up to 31% post-industrial recycled material. Each bottle is stone-finished, a detail that gives it a distinct, artisanal quality. Even our spatulas are handcrafted from sustainable olive wood by an Italian carpenter.
