Modelled by brand ambassador, Arizona Muse, the capsule collection features a powder-pink tropical design, hand-painted for Aquazzura by de Gourney, in five different styles for summer. We spoke to Edgardo Osorio, founder and creative director at Aquazzura, exclusively about the collaboration.
What drew you to de Gournay over other interior designers and artists?
I wanted the capsule collection to include styles which could be used day and night, and versatile enough to be worn with different outfits. That’s why I decided to include both flat styles and heels so that each woman could find her perfect shoe.
I always admired de Gournay’s precious techniques and deep sense of artistry. The maison creates pieces which seem to have real soul and that’s exactly the same approach that I have to design. Being a great fan of the fabrics and wallpaper company, I was deeply fascinated by the idea that women could wear luxurious shoes reflecting the same beauty of de Gournay interiors.
Working with the brand has been a wonderful occasion to express my passion for interiors and to bring ideas together with an exceptionally creative team. The imaginary jungle we designed is an exotic, decadent dream full of animals and plants, preciously detailed and hand-painted, timeless and extremely modern at the same time. Our creative vision and approach to design matched as perfectly as I expected.
Working with the brand has been a wonderful occasion to express my passion for interiors and to bring ideas together with an exceptionally creative team. The imaginary jungle we designed is an exotic, decadent dream full of animals and plants, preciously detailed and hand-painted, timeless and extremely modern at the same time. Our creative vision and approach to design matched as perfectly as I expected.
Have you always been a fan of de Gournay?
I’m obsessed with wallpapers and prints. I’ve been following de Gournay for many years now and I always wanted to work with them, so this collaboration is an absolute dream!
Do you use de Gournay for your own interiors?
Of course I do! De Gournay wallpaper takes pride of place in my apartment’s entrance hall – a sophisticated welcome when entering the house. A tropical inspired de Gournay wallpaper featuring pink flamingos also adorns the Aquazzura flagship store in Bal Harbour, Florida, adding a unique Latin touch to the space. And, naturally, the Aquazzura X de Gournay “Amazonia” wallpaper in pink is now an integral part of the Aquazzura HQ in Milan. It’s my new favourite room, everyone who comes in can’t help but stare in awe at those precious hand-painted wallpapered walls.
Why is Arizona Muse the perfect poster girl for this collection?
The moment I met Arizona for the first time, I knew I wanted to work with her. Her being a working mother, her natural beauty, amazing energy and personality are all reasons why she perfectly embodies the spirit of the brand and its customers from all over the world. I deeply admire her work ethic and the efforts she constantly puts into her work. Such a true professional and the nicest woman to spend time with.
How did you choose which shoe silhouettes to use?
I wanted the capsule collection to include styles which could be used day and night, and versatile enough to be worn with different outfits. That’s why I decided to include both flat styles and heels so that each woman could find her perfect shoe.
What is your approach to collaborations?
A good collaboration couldn’t exist without each party’s total commitment. During the creative process, I constantly exchange opinions with the partner and listen to their opinions, yet always remaining true to my personal aesthetic vision. What usually happens is that this mutual exchange flows naturally, and that is exactly what happened with de Gournay. A winning collaboration delivers equally both parties’ distinctive features in a very natural way.
Aquazzura has done a number of collaborations before, what do you look for in collaborators, and how does that align with the brand?
When it comes to choosing a brand to partner with, like for example in the instance with de Gournay, artisanal luxury, unique creativity and attention to detail – are some of the things I look for, as well as a shared contemporary aesthetic. You have to feel like your visions naturally converge, in order to preserve one’s very own authenticity.
Collaborations between Aquazzura and celebrities on the other hand, with Olivia Palermo and Poppy Delevingne for example, always start from a mutual admiration and a common interpretation of femininity and style. The partnership, naturally evolves with a joint effort during the design process where the celebrity partner and Aquazzura’s aesthetic merge. What is important in these instances is that you should never stop learning and evolving, and listening at other people’s ideas; taking inspiration from others, is definitely key.
What is your favourite piece from the collection?
My favourite piece of the collection is probably the Love Tassel Flat, because it’s so fun, flirty and feminine; but I really love every piece because they are all very different from each other, and extremely comfortable.
The Aquazzura X de Gourney collection will be available from May 11, exclusively at Matchesfashion.com, with prices starting from £357.
The Aquazzura X de Gourney collection will be available from May 11, exclusively at Matchesfashion.com, with prices starting from £357.
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