By Rebecca Ceccatelli and Giulia Piceni. Photos courtesy of Federica Caiazzo.
Journalist, editor and translator Federica Caiazzo writes across languages and geographies. In this interview, she reflects on the role of language in shaping identity, building empathy, and writing across cultures—both online and in print.
Drawing from her experience reporting on Chinese fashion for international publications and running MODA in China—Italy’s first newsletter dedicated to China’s luxury landscape—Caiazzo shares how words can serve as bridges, not only between East and West but also between humans and their constantly evolving digital environments.
The Power of Language in Fashion Journalism
Has there ever been a moment when you first felt that language holds power? What is its peculiar power for you?
For me, language is indeed powerful, but in our industry, it is very important to maintain coherence between words and visual language. Images are just as important as words.
As an Italian who studied fashion journalism in London, I recall the difficulty I faced while trying to write features in a language that was not my native one. It was at that point that I realised Italian has unique nuances that I couldn’t find in other languages. This understanding became crucial for my expression—a detail that you can investigate and explore. I have noticed that my writing style in English differs from how I write in Italian.
Text and Emotion: Building Meaning Beyond Words
What does it mean to build a relationship with text?
Language adds emotions. Words are just words. They have inherent meanings, of course, but they are merely the starting point. The next step is to figure out how to make these words evoke feelings. How can I move the reader? The way readers respond to my words provides valuable feedback. This interaction is also how I, and everyone else, build a connection with the text—through emotions.
Writing Between Worlds: Fashion Journalism and Cultural Translation
Your work often revolves around intercultural exchange, with a particular focus on China — a theme that is also central to your blog Moda in China. How do you navigate the complexities of cross-cultural communication through writing? How does translation play a key role in this exchange?
I had the great opportunity to study Mandarin Chinese as a student in foreign languages at university. Afterwards, I decided to focus on fashion journalism.
Although I wouldn’t say I speak Mandarin like a native, I can comfortably navigate conversations in environments where Chinese is spoken. In many ways, learning another language helps fill a gap in understanding. Therefore, translations are vital for me to maintain authenticity in my writing. This means not only using dictionaries for definitions but also going straight to the Chinese source to create authoritative written content that is truly reflective of the original material.
Managing Meaning: On the Challenges of Translation
How can we manage the issue of losing meaning in translation?
While thinking about how to answer, the word “semantics” came to mind. To truly understand the precise meanings of various words, you must become an expert in semantics, which requires extensive study. When I was a student, I frequently translated between Chinese and Italian, as well as English to Italian. However, especially for Chinese, my professor used to say that there are two types of translations: literal and literary. A literal translation conveys the general meaning, but a literary translation involves a deeper analysis of the sentence, word by word, to ensure that the content and meaning are preserved. For me, this distinction makes all the difference.
Writing as Self-Nurture
If you had to describe any rituals or routines that help you enter a creative stage, what would they be?
I’ve never experienced blank-page anxiety. You know that feeling of sitting in front of your laptop, unsure of what to do? I’ve never felt that way. I’ve always found inspiration to write. However, I think inspiration comes with responsibility. It’s the way you nurture yourself.
I experienced burnout back in 2022 and felt like I had run out of prompts. That ut moment served as a starting point for me to realise that I am not a machine. I’m a human, so the way I channel words comes from my inspiration, and in order to be inspired, I need to take care of myself. This means engaging in activities such as going outside, visiting exhibitions, exploring photography and art, practising yoga, exercising, and spending time in nature. Everything can serve as inspiration.
The way we derive inspiration from our lives is reflected in our writing and style. If you are a very relaxed person, your writing style might convey that same sense of calm. Readers will perceive your style accordingly. Ultimately, prompts from a human perspective stem from inspiration, which in turn comes from the way we nurture our souls.
Resisting AI: The Intelligence of Language
In your view, how does language function as a form of intelligence?
As humans, I think we rely too heavily on external machines and things outside of ourselves. Our intelligence goes beyond just rational thinking. Unfortunately, we have mostly forgotten how to connect with our inner selves because we are so focused on the outside world. We should start looking inward.
I don’t need any AI to write my features; I don’t need it. And I don’t want it at all. I prefer to write them myself, even though it takes time to find inspiration and gather my sources. However, society is moving quickly and often discourages introspection. They want us to get straight to the point in a hurried manner. This is why we are increasingly dependent on artificial intelligence. But firmly believe that we do have our own intelligence—not just rational, but also as bodies, souls, and cells.
Seasons of Intelligence
Considering the nature of intelligence, how do you envision a dialogue among various forms – human, artificial, emotional, or textual?
It takes a considerable amount of time to review content and conduct research. Using artificial tools is very important for us when it comes to finding sources more easily. However, I think we should not forget that we are much more than that. When it comes to collaboration, it’s essential to draw inspiration from other forms of intelligence. Think of nature and the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season takes months to unfold, yet society often encourages us to hurry and perform constantly. Nature does not perform during winter; the leaves fall away, which is a natural process. Then, during spring and summer, nature flourishes again. We should allow ourselves to feel a bit more relaxed and find our own pace, acknowledging the unique seasons in our lives.
Cosmic Intelligence and Creative Energy
Do you rely on other types of intelligence instead? Is there a specific kind of intelligence that you feel most connected to?
Artificial intelligence is something I’m only looking from afar at the moment. However, I feel much more connected to cosmic intelligence on both a personal and a professional level.
What do you mean by cosmic?
We are part of something greater, each of us as individual beings. We live on a floating rock in the universe, and somewhere out there, there is energy. This energy is what we channel through our work. Think of art. Think of the greatest artists in any field. Where does their genius come from? It stems from something within them, something that each of us can tap into. We can let this energy flow through us, drawing directly from the cosmos and the cosmic intelligence that connects us all.
A first version of this interview was published in Title(s), I’M Firenze Digest first printed edition, published for TEXT(S)TURE(S), Istituto Marangoni Firenze Fashion Show 2025.
