Where My Heritage Meets Beauty- The reason why I started Giardino Di Luce

So back in 2014, I was studying at TAFE to become a makeup artist. I soon realised that applying makeup on clients wasn’t my thing. Not long after, I started researching how to start a makeup and skincare brand. For context—I was only 17 at the time, had no money, and I wasn’t prepared to ask my parents for a big amount to start a business, especially when I wasn’t even sure that it was what I truly wanted to do.

But as I got older and started working, I found myself drawn to makeup and skincare made with organic and natural ingredients. I would spend hours online researching brands, reading ingredient lists, learning what each ingredient could do, and even making little products at home just for fun. Slowly, I started changing my whole makeup routine to products that had minimal ingredients and that contained organic and natural ingredients.

Fast forward to 2023.
My dad’s entire side of the family—my Nonna, uncles, aunties, cousins—all live overseas in Italy, Switzerland, and America. And after 20 years of me, my brother, and my mum not seeing them, we all organised a trip to Italy to all see each other again.

After 24 hours of flying and a 5-hour train ride to Calabria, we finally arrived. It was August—peak summer. Being back in Italy after so many years was surreal. For the next four weeks, we spent our time in Calabria with family… going to the beach, visiting cafés, sightseeing, shopping—anything and everything.

Transport in the town was very limited. There was only one bus that came at around 7am and returned at 3pm. If we missed it, a relative would drive us around. But honestly, that was the charm of it. I fell in love with the old buildings, the local produce, gardens filled with tomatoes, figs, Tropea onions, and of course the prickly pear that grows wild on the sides of the roads.

And then there were the beaches—Tropea, Zambrone, Pizzo, Briatico. Absolutely stunning.

After those short four weeks—which went by far too fast—we returned home. I was heartbroken leaving. For months afterwards, I would scroll through photos and reminisce about the beautiful memories we made.

Almost a year after our trip, my cousin Maria Catena from America sadly passed away from breast cancer in June 2024 Italy was the last place I saw her, and knowing that made those memories even more precious.

It was then that I realised I wanted to bring Calabria—and everything it represents—back home with me. I kept coming back to the question: How can I bring that Southern Italian summer, the scents and radiance to Australia ?

And that’s when Giardino di Luce was born.

Giardino di Luce means “Garden of Light”, because that’s what Calabria feels like—sun-soaked streets, citrus groves, wild cacti, fresh sea air, and a slower, more intentional way of living.

Thank you for taking the time to read and for stepping into the world of Giardino di Luce.