My Creative Cup of Tea

June 04, 2025

#InPartnershipwithMCCOT

1981 Lab

Milan

Italy

If you notice, brands usually perfectly reflect their founder's personality, align with their life core values and vision and are the result of their personal experiences so far.

Called after the year of birth of its female founder, 1981 Lab, the niche, genderless, and unconventional Italian skincare label is no exception. It is exactly how its creator wished it to be and proudly an authentic extension of herself.

Italian female ecopreneur and founder, Francesca Di Palma, was born and raised outside the box. From an early age, she got to experience a resolutely unconventional life, which taught her to welcome every single change as a perfect new opportunity to grow, mature, and quickly adapt to new situations, reinventing herself and starting fresh with a positive attitude. A precious human quality that has allowed her to move forward and become the strong woman she is today. A free-spirited dreamer, open-minded, social-committed and caring human being but also a very self-confident, intuitive, methodical, and efficient business woman who always trusts her gut before making any decision.

Deeply inspired by the charismatic and independent female figures that she grew up surrounded by, at 18, Francesca moved to the metropolis of Milan to chase her own dream of freedom and make her way in the city.

She started working in the fashion industry as a saleswoman for iconic boutiques like 10 Corso Como, Antonioli, and DAD Milano. On the weekends and at night, she also enjoyed a busy nightlife as a PR for prestigious nightclubs such as Magazzini Generali. At the age of 28, fed up with this fast-paced lifestyle and willing to slow down, Francesca made the brilliant decision to re-enter the cosmetic and wellness industry,taking an advanced refresher course to update her expertise as an aesthetician.

After becoming an associate at the beauty center where she was working, in 2010, she bought back her business partner's shares and embarked on a new, challenging journey as the new owner and female entrepreneur, managing a flourishing business with 12 employees.

Unfortunately, in 2020, just after she launched her Estetica & Bellezza franchise, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the entire world. At that time, like many entrepreneurs forced to cope with crucial decisions, Francesca closed her business. Firing her team was hard on her, and she had a very bad time. But used to navigating changes, she took advantage of the lockdown to focus on herself and her happiness and blossoming, resetting and reflecting on what was next for her.

Organically, leveraging her previous expertise in the field and her ability to build contacts, she came up with the idea of establishing 1981 Lab, her own niche, premium, and eco-conscious skincare brand.

The label is a friendly invitation to enjoy a special holistic and sensorial experience alone or in family. At 1981 Lab, the daily beauty routine transforms into a moment of pleasant self-care, a true experience of conviviality with family or friends, by swapping and testing products that can be used by everyone, including children. It brings a moment of true wellness into everyday life.

The exclusive range of delicate, clean, effective, science-driven, and plant-based certified products 'Made in Umbrian Spoleto' has been developed in partnership with the leading company LABORATORI Effe established by Dott. Federico Fumo.

The vintage label's signature is a beautiful tribute to old herbalist shops and craftsmanship. The delicate fragrances of the formulas are connected to personal and cherished memories from Francesca's childhood: the scent of lavender, for instance, reminds her of her granny hanging the laundry. Creating new memories and emotions, and giving back love, as the genuine person she is, is her main aim.

The products are exclusively available at iconic places that have a special story and heritage—a few unique locations—like Wir resorts (Bali and Como Lake), Douglas, The Garden, and I Love Shopping in Milan, Giulia Bailoni Beauty at Palazzo Taverna and Fisioestetica in Rome—that are aligned with the brand identity.

In june 2025, the brand launched a podcast hosted by its founder, called 'APPELLE'. A virtual safe place born to talk about rituals of wellness and beauty. The perfect way for Francesca to humbly inspire her close entourage, friends, and community of customers, serving as a role model in her own unique way. This, she believes, is the only true success she has ever sought.

In her freetime, Francesca is very proud to support and empower other human beings in need, such as women victims of violence and homeless people, by volunteering with many local associations.