MI RE LA - Ilaria story

Ilaria Cuomo

Founder of MI RE LA Italian Style

-ITALY-

What inspired you to start your brand?

I have always loved beautiful tables and the way a welcoming home can bring people together. MI RE LA was inspired by my mother, Mirella, who taught me to appreciate beauty, refined details, and the art of welcoming at home. Creating this brand became my way of bringing that Italian heritage into something of my own.

How has your immigrant journey shaped your business?

Moving from Italy to the United States made me appreciate my Italian roots even more. Living between two cultures gave me the opportunity to combine Italian craftsmanship and tradition with the energy and openness of the American market. MI RE LA became my way of keeping a strong connection to Italy while building something new in the country I now call home.

What challenges did you face building your brand?

Building a brand from the ground up meant learning every part of the business, from developing products with artisans in Italy to introducing an unknown brand to customers in the U.S. One of the biggest challenges was learning to trust my own vision and grow step by step without losing the quality and authenticity that were important to me from the beginning.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of seeing something that began as a very personal idea become a brand that people genuinely connect with. Every time a customer chooses MI RE LA for their home, I feel that a small piece of my Italian heritage and my mother’s influence is continuing its story.

What makes your brand unique?

I am most proud of seeing something that began as a very personal idea become a brand that people genuinely connect with. Every time a customer chooses MI RE LA for their home, I feel that a small piece of my Italian heritage and my mother’s influence is continuing its story.

What does being part of FEMMENAS mean to you?

Being part of Femmenas means being surrounded by women who had the courage to start again, build something of their own, and turn their different backgrounds into a strength. I love the idea of sharing our stories, supporting one another, and celebrating what women can create when given the opportunity to follow their vision.