#InPartnershipwithMCCOT
1981 Lab
Milan
Italy
Every human being on this earth is unique, and so is one's life. While most people are destined to live an "ordinary" and quiet life, some others, like Italian entrepreneur and founder Francesca Di Palma, who was born and raised outside the box in an unusual single-parent family, get to experience a resolutely unconventional one from an early age.
Like single mother Vianne Rocher and her beloved daughter Anouk, fictional characters from the bestseller and eponymous movie 'Chocolat' by British author Joanne Harris, little Francesca and her beloved late Matera-born mother and muse—a strong, alternative, passionate, independent, vegetarian, and free-spirited young woman—travelled all around Italy for a decade. From her being a small baby to age 10, they both led a one-of-a-kind, rich, and nomadic life on the road that brought them to spend a lot of time in several hippie communities. This formative and emotional mother-daughter journey deeply shaped and forged Francesca's personality, nurturing her lay spirituality and gifting her an open-minded vision of the world, along with great tolerance and respect for diversity. This extraordinary, New Age existence taught her as a child to welcome every change as a perfect new opportunity to grow, mature, and quickly adapt to new situations, reinventing herself and starting fresh with a positive attitude. This special and precious human quality is something Francesca is grateful for having been gifted—a trump card that has allowed her to move forward and become the strong and intuitive 44-year-old woman she is today, someone who always trusts her gut before making any decision.
She was inspired by charismatic female role models such as her mom, her granny—who took care of her for a while—and her aunt. All independent and determined women who left their families at a young age to chase their dream of freedom and to make their way by themselves through hard work. Women who primarily listened to their hearts and intuition. Francesca is proud to have inherited this strength and their core values.
She is a free-spirited dreamer as well as a very self-confident, methodical, and efficient business woman who learned discipline and rigor studying in a strict boarding school in Varese until A-levels. A traumatic personal episode of loneliness from that time, which she now considers a true blessing—a life-changing journey she needed to move forward.
At 18, ready to take off, she moved to the metropolis of Milan, where she began 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.
Fed up with this fast-paced lifestyle and willing to slow down, at the age of 28, 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, just after she launched her Estetica & Bellezza franchise, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the entire world in 2020. Like many entrepreneurs, Francesca was forced to cope with big decisions, and she finally closed the 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 on her happiness and blossoming, resetting and reflecting on what was next for her.
Organically, she came up with the idea of establishing her own niche, premium, and eco-conscious skincare brand, leveraging her previous expertise in the field and her ability to build contacts. A brand with a purpose that perfectly fits her personality. A niche, genderless label, as unconventional as she is, called 1981 Lab—her year of birth—that brings a moment of true wellness into everyday life. An exclusive range of delicate, clean, efficient, science-driven, and plant-based certified products 'Made in Umbrian Spoleto' in partnership with the leading company LABORATORI Effe and its founder, Dott. Federico Fumo.
1981 Lab is a sincere invitation to take care of ourselves and enjoy a special holistic and sensorial experience alone or in family. At 1981 Lab, the daily beauty routine transforms into a moment of self-care, a true experience of conviviality with family or friends, by swapping and testing products that can be used by everyone, including children. Francesca's aim is to create new memories and emotions, giving back love, as the genuine person she is. 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. 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.
As a social-committed and caring female ecopreneur, 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. A few months ago, 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 first episode will be on air in mid-June. The perfect way 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.
Like single mother Vianne Rocher and her beloved daughter Anouk, fictional characters from the bestseller and eponymous movie 'Chocolat' by British author Joanne Harris, little Francesca and her beloved late Matera-born mother and muse—a strong, alternative, passionate, independent, vegetarian, and free-spirited young woman—travelled all around Italy for a decade. From her being a small baby to age 10, they both led a one-of-a-kind, rich, and nomadic life on the road that brought them to spend a lot of time in several hippie communities. This formative and emotional mother-daughter journey deeply shaped and forged Francesca's personality, nurturing her lay spirituality and gifting her an open-minded vision of the world, along with great tolerance and respect for diversity. This extraordinary, New Age existence taught her as a child to welcome every change as a perfect new opportunity to grow, mature, and quickly adapt to new situations, reinventing herself and starting fresh with a positive attitude. This special and precious human quality is something Francesca is grateful for having been gifted—a trump card that has allowed her to move forward and become the strong and intuitive 44-year-old woman she is today, someone who always trusts her gut before making any decision.
She was inspired by charismatic female role models such as her mom, her granny—who took care of her for a while—and her aunt. All independent and determined women who left their families at a young age to chase their dream of freedom and to make their way by themselves through hard work. Women who primarily listened to their hearts and intuition. Francesca is proud to have inherited this strength and their core values.
She is a free-spirited dreamer as well as a very self-confident, methodical, and efficient business woman who learned discipline and rigor studying in a strict boarding school in Varese until A-levels. A traumatic personal episode of loneliness from that time, which she now considers a true blessing—a life-changing journey she needed to move forward.
At 18, ready to take off, she moved to the metropolis of Milan, where she began 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.
Fed up with this fast-paced lifestyle and willing to slow down, at the age of 28, 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, just after she launched her Estetica & Bellezza franchise, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the entire world in 2020. Like many entrepreneurs, Francesca was forced to cope with big decisions, and she finally closed the 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 on her happiness and blossoming, resetting and reflecting on what was next for her.
Organically, she came up with the idea of establishing her own niche, premium, and eco-conscious skincare brand, leveraging her previous expertise in the field and her ability to build contacts. A brand with a purpose that perfectly fits her personality. A niche, genderless label, as unconventional as she is, called 1981 Lab—her year of birth—that brings a moment of true wellness into everyday life. An exclusive range of delicate, clean, efficient, science-driven, and plant-based certified products 'Made in Umbrian Spoleto' in partnership with the leading company LABORATORI Effe and its founder, Dott. Federico Fumo.
1981 Lab is a sincere invitation to take care of ourselves and enjoy a special holistic and sensorial experience alone or in family. At 1981 Lab, the daily beauty routine transforms into a moment of self-care, a true experience of conviviality with family or friends, by swapping and testing products that can be used by everyone, including children. Francesca's aim is to create new memories and emotions, giving back love, as the genuine person she is. 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. 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.
As a social-committed and caring female ecopreneur, 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. A few months ago, 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 first episode will be on air in mid-June. The perfect way 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.
All the pictures are Courtesy of 1981 Lab. All rights reserved.
IG
#InPartnershipwithMCCOT
#FrancescaDiPalma
#1981Lab
#MilaneseLabel
#Slowbeauty
#Cleanbeauty
#MadeinSpoleto
#premiumquality
#plant-based
#genderlessskincarelabel
#Italianfemaleecopreneur
#nicheproduction
#findyourownpath
#believeinyourdream
#lessismore
#QualityoverQuantity
#slowliving
#Creativepeople
#MCCOTsupportsTalent
#ReadMCCOT
