In the heart of Formentera, surrounded by untamed nature and a light that seems to soften everything it touches, Simona Colzi — the creative soul behind Sabi, Botanical Art — opens the doors to her world. Hers is the story of a woman who has quite literally woven her life between threads, plants, and landscapes. From her childhood in the Tuscan countryside to her blossoming as a textile artist on the Balearic island, every step of her journey is deeply rooted in nature, her greatest teacher.
Textile roots and botanical sensitivity
“My name is Simona Colzi. I was born in Florence and grew up in a small countryside village nearby”, the artist tells us, already deeply immersed in nature from a very young age. Early on, textile tradition flowed through her veins: “I come from a family with an artisanal textile tradition. My parents had a small manufacturing business, and almost all the women in my family practiced typical needlework at home — crochet, knitting, embroidery. They were constantly embroidering, weaving, sewing.”
It’s no surprise then that Simona began creating with her hands at a very young age. First came fashion accessories, then interior decoration, until her path led her to an even deeper connection: botanical art applied to textiles.
Nature as a teacher
Simona’s relationship with nature is not accidental — it’s essential. “I grew up in the countryside and I’ve always felt very connected to it. Today, I live in a house on Formentera and work directly with plants — that connection is more intense than ever.”
Far from any rigid formula, her creative process is almost alchemical. “I dye and print fabrics in a very artistic way. My approach strays from traditional methods, where you precisely calculate the amounts of plants and fabrics to get specific colors. On the contrary, I mix the ingredients intuitively, almost randomly, so that every result is unique and impossible to reproduce.”
Simona begins by preparing the fabrics with natural mordants, then dyes and prints them using only wild plants gathered from the island. The result: pieces that aren’t just worn — they’re felt. Fabrics that are 100% natural — mainly silk, but also linen and cotton — transformed into art, into wall hangings, into paintings, and of course into garments that tell a story.
Fashion with a soul
Who are the people who choose to wear a Sabi creation? Simona is certain: “Women with a deep sensitivity to art, to nature, to authenticity… Women who seek quality and originality, who want to feel unique.” Her clientele values not only the aesthetic, but also the conscious process behind each piece. These are women who understand that fashion can also be an extension of the soul.
Formentera as a constant muse
To speak of Sabi without speaking of Formentera would be unthinkable… “All of my work is entirely influenced by the island and its energy. By the way I live here, by my respect for nature, by the beauty that surrounds me.” The island is not just a source of inspiration — it’s a source of learning: to observe, to respect, to give back. “All the good this land gives me, I try to return through my work, by showcasing its beauty in every detail, a small leaf, a flower.”
For Simona, botanical art is not a technique, it’s a way of life. Reconnecting humans with nature, she says, begins with spending time in it, connecting with it, and learning to live at its pace. It’s an invitation to look again : with attention, with respect, with love.
The future : no rush, just intention
Though she doesn’t plan far ahead, Simona dreams of continuing to share her world through new spaces. “I’d love to keep growing Sabi as an exhibition space, alongside other artists and artisans who share this philosophy of life. I also want to organize workshops and pop-ups where we can create live, together, as a community.”
In a world that runs, Simona walks. In a market saturated by speed and sameness, she offers pieces that breathe authenticity, serenity, and natural beauty. With Sabi, botanical art becomes more than just a technique, it becomes an experience. And perhaps, a path back to what truly matters.
Words : Simona Colzi / Anne-Sophie Castro
Photos : Sabi
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