Clelia, a young woman from Turin, returns to her hometown to open a new fashion salon. She quickly becomes entangled in the lives of three affluent and complex women after she saves Rosetta, a despondent young woman, who attempts suicide. Clelia's sense of responsibility leads her to befriend Momina, who is struggling to stay entertained in her fractured marriage, and the lively and independent Nene, an up-and-coming painter. Together, they navigate their careers, romances, and personal turmoils. Clelia's ambitions collide with the social intricacies of her new circle of friends, eventually guiding her to reflect on her own values and desires.

As Clelia continues to grow closer to these women, she witnesses their individual struggles and forms deeper bonds. Momina’s manipulative tendencies contrast sharply against Nene's passionate but tumultuous relationship with Lorenzo, a talented but insecure artist. Meanwhile, Rosetta’s fragile emotional state remains precarious despite the support from Clelia and others. The intertwined relationships and personal conflicts reveal much about societal expectations and personal aspirations amidst the backdrop of Italy's post-war recovery. Through Clelia’s journey of self-discovery and the interconnected paths of her new friends, the narrative explores themes of love, ambition, and the search for identity.