Edgardo Osorio, the founder and creative director of the cult shoe brand Aquazzura, visits India almost every year. “I’m fascinated by the colours and history of India, its rich heritage and incredible craft besides the amazing hospitality which I’ve always received,” shares the self-confessed indophile.
Not surprisingly, colours, cultures and crafts sublimate each of Aquazzura’s footwear, bags and decor collections since the brand’s inception in 2012. Handcrafted in Italy, Aquazzura has been a favourite with Hollywood stars such as Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Dua Lipa. The brand’s collections are available at over 300 top retailers in 58 countries, online at Aquazzura.com, and at flagship boutiques in Florence, London, New York, Miami, Doha, Dubai, Milan, São Paulo, Capri, Paris and Madrid.
This year the brand clocks in a new milestone—its first-ever flagship store in India at The Chanakya Mall in New Delhi. The Colombia-born designer lets us in on the buzz in an exclusive with ELLE India.
ELLE: What inspired you to open a store in India?
Edgardo Osorio (EO): The luxury sector in India is growing very fast, and new brands are opening stores every day. We have a big retail customer base online, so we see potential, and I am happy to arrive here. The Indian woman loves to dress up and attends a lot of events and weddings. She’s already our client, so it was a logical next step.
ELLE: What’s the demographic of Aquazzura’s Indian consumer?
EO: She’s young and loves to buy high heels and signature Aquazzura styles like our iconic Tequila sandals. She wants to wear our special shoes for significant occasions.
ELLE: What’s the New Delhi flagship store going to look like?
EO: I wanted the New Delhi store in The Chanakya Mall to be unique and one of a kind. It has a lot of elements that are classic Aquazzura like the aqua colour and stripes. We wanted the décor to evoke the feeling of being in a magical garden with pineapples, hand-painted details and trellises. It’s even more special because it’s all hand-painted by local Indian artisans.
ELLE: Do you plan to have a designated bridal section in the store?
EO: Absolutely. Once we open, we will embark on collaborations with Indian designers and launch special capsules. Wedding and party pieces are huge parts of our brand universe. We make the most comfortable party shoes. We have one of the biggest selections of bridal and event shoes. For our Fall/Winter 24 collection, there is a strong emphasis on evening heels such as Yes Baby and La Nuit Mule.
ELLE: How do you reconcile glamour with comfort?
EO: During my design process I go through at least 10 trials so that the shoes fit perfectly. I ensure that each shoe is not just beautiful but also comfortable. For me, it’s part of my design process. That’s why so many women have moved from other brands to us because our shoes actually fit well and feel good.
ELLE: Can you tell us more about the FW24 bag collection?
EO: The collection keeps growing and I feel very strongly about this line as a lot of these bags transition effortlessly from day to night. I have divided them into two categories—versatile day-to-night bags and conversation starters. The Ari Crystal Mini Bucket and the Deco Clutch are both great for an evening out.
I’m into seventies minimalist designs right now, especially when it comes to bags. The use of brass and gold with something soft makes the pieces graphic and minimal yet so strong. Hopefully, it’ll be a big hit (laughs).
ELLE: Let’s talk about Aquazzura Casa’s Jaipur collection. How often does India appear on your mood board?
EO: I was thinking of my favourite places when I launched it. I had come back from one of my trips to India and I was inspired by all the murals and craftsmanship I had seen at the royal palaces in Rajasthan, especially in Jaipur.
ELLE: Can you reveal any upcoming capsules that will be launching soon?
EO: I’ve collaborated with a friend of mine—Alex Rivière, a Spanish influencer. I love her style and she’s one of the most elegant influencers out there. We decided to do something cool together. It’s a niche collab but very cool. It will launch in our stores in the month of September.
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