About

Gioia means joy and that’s what we’re about. Bringing people together to create memories, share experiences and form friendships that can last a lifetime.

Growing up with an Italian Granddad and a Nannie who is West Midlands born and bred, I was surrounded by the incredible smells, the deafening sounds and the unbelievable sights of family get togethers. I watched them pour love and care into to every meatball, every place setting, every record and every detail to make even the smallest of gatherings something special.

That sight of people enjoying themselves, laughing together and sharing precious moments is why I started Gioia (pronounced Joy-Ah). I believe that those special details can make the smallest moments in your life special and the most important moments unforgettable.

Founding Gioia gave me the opportunity to combine two of my favourite things – parties and colour-coded lists. For me, the only thing that matches the rush of a perfectly executed event is the thrill of organising it, surrounded by notes, doodles and cuttings. It’s no coincidence that Gioia was founded the same year as my own wedding and that feeling of excitement leading up to the big day, the thrill of seeing happy guests and the pay off of them leaving with a smile on their face is something I chase with every event I’m lucky enough to be involved with.

It all started in my Nannie’s kitchen and now every occasion, every wedding from the grand to the quaint, every birthday for a five year old or ninety year old, every dinner for two or banquet for twenty and every party from smooth-jazz cocktail receptions to the 90s techno raves, I think about that feeling of making meatballs with her. Who’s name by the way, is Joy.

Aimee Skinner
Founder and Creative Director