Aquazzura, well-known for its impeccable footwear and accessories handmade in Italy, has landed at Marassi Galleria Mall, and OHLALA had the opportunity to interview the brand’s Founder and Creative Director, Edgardo Osorio, on his visit to the boutique.
“Happiness! I want to bring joy, make people smile and feel good with everything I do.”
– Edgardo Osorio, Aquazzura’s Founder and Creative Director
OHLALA – You studied fashion at the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins. What made you fall in love with the footwear universe? Why shoes?
Edgardo Osorio – It all started during my childhood when I was surrounded by women who ignited my interest in fashion. I remember my mum used to wear heels all the time; she was minimal in the way she dressed, but she always wore great shoes. Since I was a child, I’ve been drawing and sketching a lot, and designing shoes soon became my real passion and a natural extension of my love for fashion, something instinctive that always came naturally.
OHLALA – We know that the Aquazzura world is more than shoes. How important are the handbags and other accessories to the brand?
Edgardo – My desire is to evolve Aquazzura into a lifestyle brand. I started this transformation by introducing the first fashion jewellery collection in Spring and Summer 2021, then Aquazzura Casa followed, and 2023 was the year of the launch of my first handbag collection. Of course, the shoes remain the core business of the brand, but bags grow fast from season to season, which I am really proud of. My plan is to expand into other product categories like eyewear and men’s footwear next year and to grow our Casa collection with exciting new projects that are underway right now!
OHLALA – Aquazzura shoes are beautifully constructed. Can you tell us more about how long it takes to make them and how important it is for you to keep skilled craftsmanship at their core?
Edgardo – From idea to reality, a shoe can take up to six to nine months to craft, with each step of the process requiring specific expertise. My sketches are interpreted by the pattern makers, who develop the design and create a unique mould. New styles are perfected with millimetric precision to achieve a balanced fit and maximum lightness. The last (a form shaped like a human foot, usually made of wood and used by shoemakers for centuries) and shape are specially developed to distribute the weight of the body throughout the foot, making our heel incredibly comfortable to wear. Additionally, the soles are enriched with cushioned padding. The problem with most of the beautiful shoes is that they are uncomfortable. That’s why when I started my own brand, I wanted to do something different and hired a technician who has been making last and shoe constructions for over 40 years. Together, we developed a last and shape that fits better on the foot and distributes the body’s weight not only on the ball of your foot but also in the arch and the back. Most importantly, we also put extra padding with memory foam on the soles so that they are softer when you walk.
OHLALA – It is really interesting to see how you transfer the design of a shoe to a handbag. How does this process occur?
Edgardo – The initial part of the design process is quite the same. I take inspiration from many influences: travel, exhibitions, visiting art galleries and flea markets, books, women and much more, and then I start drawing what comes naturally. We make our bags exclusively in Tuscany as the quality of the craftsmanship is the highest in Italy. Also, the materials and the colour palette selection have similar steps in the process. Much like the shoes, I want all our bags to be versatile and functional, so we do fit trials to see that they have the right proportions, can be worn in different ways and are comfortable to wear.
OHLALA – What message do you want to give your customers with your creations?
Edgardo – Happiness! I want to bring joy, make people smile and feel good with everything I do. With my creations, I want to express the modern Dolce Vita. A concept of elegance, all Italian, made of quality craftsmanship but also characterised by the innate style, the typical sunny nature of this land but also of my Colombian origins. It is an invitation to enjoy life; it is joie de vivre.
OHLALA – Why do you think the Middle Eastern women or women living in this region are the perfect fit for Aquazzura?
Edgardo – I think Middle Eastern women pay a lot of attention to their accessories. When it comes to shoes, they look for footwear that’s feminine, timeless, yet fashionable and comfortable, which are all aspects found in Aquazzura shoes.
OHLALA – What are the three words that define Aquazzura for you?
Edgardo – Sensual, sophisticated and playful.