What is your Random Act of Creativity?
Shoes. I would say that my main source of inspiration is fairs and exhibitions, art and design. I always try to incorporate motifs and use techniques of visual arts to create designs – the moodboard for example is an exercise I use before designing every collection! I like collecting images and colors that I consider relevant, play around with fabrics and so on.
But honestly, I find sources of inspiration everywhere. Like the incredible Coco Chanel used to say “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we life, what is happening”. And I completely agree with that.
Also, women inspire me everyday. Independent women, fashionistas, moms, businesswomen. My shoes are designed for every woman out there who feels as though she is limitless, she can go anywhere and do anything! Because we can!
What is your creative mission?
It was always a primary concern of mine that my production be sustainable. In terms of quality, I want my shoes to be as long lasting as possible; with time, I want them to feel like a pair of pants, a jacket or a coat that you’ve worn a lot but still is the best fit. It needs to be able to gain a form of respect from its owner and induce a will to take care of them. I want them to look worn and form some sort of an emotional bond with their owner – I’ve always been a romantic like that!
Wearing and producing a durable product is also important to me for the environment and thus for future generations - and I’m a mother and nothing is more important to me than that. All my shoes are handmade by amazing craftsmen in Italy and I use only high-quality products. The sole, that I’ve designed from scratch, is made with 80% of recycled materials and the boxes the shoes come in are 100% recyclable & made out of recycled paper. The signature studs which are fixed into the grosgrain are also hand applied in Italy.
