FASHIONINSIDER
Founder of luxury shoe brand Aquazzura, Edgardo Osorio talks about why glamorous footwear is a joy to step into, plus the launch of his new bag collection
When designing the new Aquazzura boutique, which opened this September during London Fashion Week, founder and creative director Edgardo Osorio wanted to “bring a little Italian dream to New Bond Street”. Inspired by Edgardo’s love of the sea, especially the clear glistening waters off the Amalfi coast, which is where Aquazzura was dreamt up – the name is a combination of aqua (water) and azzurra (blue).
Everything about the luxury shoe brand, which is worn by some of the best-heeled people on the planet – from the Princess of Wales to Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Kendall Jenner and Beyoncé, links back to decadence and glamour.
Starting with Edgardo himself. Often described as ‘the nicest man in fashion’, the Colombian designer is both suave and charming, the perfect ambassador for his own label. “I just really enjoy dressing, but I don’t feel like I’m dressing up, it’s just the way I dress,” he states, demurely.
Edgardo loves to travel, “I can’t normally stay in one place for more than two weeks, I get the itches,” he laughs. When we speak, he is freshly back at the Aquazzura headquarters in Florence from Greece, where he usually spends the month of August. “I love Greece, it’s where I really manage to disconnect and unwind. I love to swim and the sea so, for me, it’s really the best place.”
Despite taking the time to recharge, Edgardo never fully switches off. “As a designer, your mind is always working, you respond to everything you see. I go to markets, see local crafts and antique shops, and when I’m in Greece I always look at the ceramics. Travel, it’s something that inspires me.”
Fulfilling his wanderlust, this year and next, Edgardo will be busy travelling whilst Aquazzura expands its retail footprint. Adding to its existing stores in all the key luxury global hubs are openings in St Tropez, Kuwait, Bahrain and several boutiques in Saudi Arabia.
“We have a lot of fun working on the stores. I’m very involved in the process, I’ve always been fascinated with interiors and my mom is an interior designer. I consider the stores my little homes or living rooms in each city. I like them to have their own personality and feel, so each has its own story.”
Branching out into interiors is Aquazzura Casa, which was unveiled during Milan Des
