Inspiration can really work in mysterious ways, but I never thought it could come while I was watching a cartoon movie with my daughter.
On one hand, I have always been sensitive to the “Nordic charm”, and on the other, the inspiration I’ve always had from the traditions of my land. This collection contains both: simple products came out of it, with an ancient touch but with a strongly contemporary character. Let's discover them together: Our collection "The Nordic Countries". "The countries of the North".
How "The Nordic Countries" collection was born
It was a cold winter evening, my daughter Emma and I cuddled on the sofa watching her favorite cartoon movie for the umpteenth time. Set in the Norwegian fjords, in the first episode one of the main characters knocks on the large inlaid door of her sister’s room who, segregated inside, refuses to play with her. Suddenly, the inspiration came in. I focused on the decoration around the door: the geometric motifs captured me so much that I immediately did a search that same evening. The birch woods, the enchanting forests, the atmosphere shown in the cartoon movie my daughter loves so much was giving me an idea.
Another thing struck me, the dresses worn by the main characters.The two sisters wear traditional clothes, but the more I looked at them the more I realized that their costumes could just as well have been ours. Those embroideries and those colors were the thread that linked our tradition to that of the Nordic countries that had so intrigued me. Most of the time, traditions cross paths: the motifs inspired by nature, the chromatic harmonies, the flowers present in both countries, the tradition of embroidery, so strong even here, in the Marche.
Thanks to these characters, my head started dreaming: the new 2020 collection was taking shape.
The Embroidery Collection
The designs were born within a month, I already had some models in mind, and for others I did a lot of research on materials. Immediately after this design phase, we moved on to prototypes, which allowed us to test the feasibility of my ideas.
The result is a collection dedicated to embroidery, very complex but extremely fascinating, a real challenge for us in making it.
The embroidery collection is characterized by hand-embroidered uppers or heels covered with embroidered leather. Needle and thread together create a surprising effect: floral motifs chase each other along the entire shoe, embellished by the skilled hands of the craftsmen who’ve created them: a truly unique shoe.
Materials and colors
The materials of this collection are many and all different from each other. In general I chose to start from the smooth and bare material, and then embellish it with different processes. The smooth leather is decorated with precious embroidery - like models Astrid and Klara-. Smooth leather alternates with printed materials, different textures with geometric or natural motifs.
The colors are warm, enveloping, inspired by the forest and nature. Green, in its various shades -ranging from musk to bottle green-, ocher yellow, pale or bright orange, burgundy red, purple, and blue. When I have all of them in front of me, in my laboratory, I can almost smell the Nordic forests that I would love to visit as soon as possible.
By now you know, combining colors and creating unexpected combinations amuses me a lot. In the Autumn/Winter collection you’ll find new and courageous harmonies: yellow embraces purple and blue, green approaches red, yellow lights up browns, reds ignite each other.
“The Nordic Countries” collection: Our models
Finally, you can take a look at the finished product. I can say with certainty that the models are a synthesis of today's intuitions and yesterday's experiments, the best of what a long experience in the laboratory has given me.
Among the most curious shoes, you will certainly find the Klara ankle boot, essential and with strong lines without breaking the harmony. Side zip, elastic and ultra-comfortable heel: All of this makes it feminine and elegant, hugging the ankle and slimming the leg. The upper and the heel are completely embroidered, creating a shoe of great character and poetry.
The Mandorla model has an unrivalled charm: it’s the Elsa (a must-do tribute). The décolleté with strap above the instep, the classic and timeless Mary Jane model. The upper is embroidered with meticulous attention to detail: needle and thread draw floral motifs on this shoe, perfect for the most memorable moments.
The Ingrid model represents the romantic note to be with you every day. It is the ballerina with a round tip, very low-cut both laterally and at the tip, which thanks to the strap remains firm and very comfortable when walking. The harmony and softness of this shoe are emphasized by the embroideries. You will also find a pointy version, the Inger model, a little ballerina and a little Mary Jane, with a timeless charm.
Last but not least, we have the closed and laced shoes: models Astrid and Lin.
The first is a lace-up with a tapered shape. Minimalist in the forms, lavish in the decoration of the upper embroidered with floral motifs. It’s a shoe with a strong personality that allows you to have a style that doesn’t go unnoticed, even by simply combining them with a monochrome look and essential lines.
And then there’s the model Lin, to define it "only" a derby would be really an understatement. The characteristic round toe of this lace-up shoe doesn’t have a classic look. Soft and very light, it has a leather sole with the addition of a non-slip rubber that allows you to wear it also during winter; and with precious embroidery made directly on the leather to enrich the upper. An elegance beyond any scheme.
Boots couldn’t be left out of this collection, we have them in two versions: model Lara, with a wider leg, and model Gioia, narrower and tight, both high but with a wide and very comfortable heel.
Along with these new models, you’ll find the "classic" ones, which you’ve come to love over the years: Sabrina, Mandorla, Lord, Tuli, Tulipa, Manhattan, and Berlin.
This is a demanding collection, at a challenging time, but I believe it’s precisely in the most difficult moments that we need to dare and exceed expectations.
Now that I've told you all about “The Nordic Countries” collection, I'd love to know what you think about it. Send me an email from the Contact page and tell me about your thoughts on this new collection.
