Aquazurra at 10

Founder and creative director Edgardo Osorio speaks with Alaira Tirtha Shetty, and for the first time with an Indian publication, on what keeps him going

- Alaira Tirtha Shetty

My biggest mood board is in my head. It’s constant feedback of observation and intuition, combined with my admiration of contemporary art; this amalgamation results in my work,” Edgardo Osorio of Aquazurra shares his recipe for success. The Colombian-born designer of head-making shoes opens up to ELLE India in an exclusive, as Aquazurra clocks in a fantastic decade.

ELLE: YOU’RE A STORYTELLER AT HEART, HAVING ENVISIONED AND CONCEPTUALISED YOUR BRAND WITH SUCH A UNIQUE VOICE. WHAT DO YOU IMAGINE AQUAZURRA’S ‘STORY’ TO BE?

EDGARDO OSORIO (EO): For me, Aquazurra was and is about creating beautiful things. I’ve always loved beauty and making people happy. At the end of the day, I always say that my favourite shoes are the ones that make you smile and have a good time and that has remained the ethos of the brand over the years. Whenever I design something, I want to fall in love with it. We’re at a moment in fashion where we all need escapism, and it needs to give us happiness. I grew up around women and I love women. For me, that’s fundamental to my philosophy. It’s about a modern Dolce Vita that’s fun and we carry that ethos with us from shoes to jewellery to bags. We’re taking the best craftsmanship Italy has to offer, giving it a Latin American twist and soul and bringing people joy.

ELLE: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE A GLOBAL SHOE BRAND?