Italian shoe designer Edgardo Osorio was in Jakarta to greet fans and attend the launch of his latest collection. (JG Photo/Sylviana Hamdani)
Dozens of smartphones and cameras erupted in a series of blinding flashes as shoe designer Edgardo Osorio walked into the On Pedder boutique in Plaza Indonesia, Central Jakarta.
The designer rewarded his fans, a group of well-heeled ladies that had been waiting patiently in the boutique, with his big, bright smile, a series of congenial handshakes and selfies.
Some might argue that it is Osorio’s boyish looks that really captured the attention of his female fans. Or it might be the childlike enthusiasm, with which the designer seemed to respond to every question, which won their hearts.
But it is actually his genius in fashion that has catapulted his name to international stardom.
The designer, born in Cartagena, Colombia, was raised in Miami and London. He studied at the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins, before assisting a series of world-renowned fashion designers, including Salvatorre Ferragamo and Roberto Cavalli.
But Osorio’s true passions have always been shoes. So after 10 years in the fashion industry, he launched his own shoe label, Aquazzura, which means “blue waters” in Italian.
After only three years, Osorio’s shoes have been distributed in 45 countries around the world. And his sexy, strappy stilettos have graced the feet of top actresses and supermodels, including Emma Watson, Karolina Kurkova and Kate Bosworth, as they glided on Hollywood red carpets.
Osorio came to Jakarta to launch his spring/summer 2015 collection in Plaza Indonesia’s On Pedder outlet. His fans created a long, winding queue within the boutique as they waited patiently to purchase a new pair of Aquazurra shoes and get Osorio’s signature on the soles.
The Jakarta Globe managed to pry the designer away from his fans for a brief chat about his passion, inspirations and future plans.
Q: Congratulations on the launch of your spring/summer 2015 collection in Jakarta. Is this your first visit to the capital?
A: It actually is. And it’s such a pleasure to be here. I came so many times to Bali and fell in love with the people. I found Indonesian people to be very warm and kind. And I was much looking forward to come to Jakarta.
Now that you’re here, what do you think of the city?
It’s amazing. I didn’t imagine it to be so big [and] so cosmopolitan. You have so many beautiful shopping malls and beautiful restaurants.
What do you think of the Jakarta fashion scene?
You have very strong local fashion scene. Women in Jakarta, they really love fashion. Look at those different styles and colors [that they wear]. It’s really interesting. I like that.
Let’s talk about your spring/summer 2015 collection. It seems to be dominated by a lot of vibrant colors.
It’s called the ‘Pop Jungle’ collection. It’s much inspired by pop [artists] Andy Warhol and [Roy] Lichtenstein, so [there is] a lot of pop colors in the collection. I was also listening to Pharrell [Williams] when I was designing [this collection]. So I wanted happy colors [and] happy shoes with a lot tassels and fringes. I find the idea of mixing boho and pop very fun and interesting.
It seems that a lot of your shoes are strappy and lace-up. Would you call it your signature style?
Some of our signature [shoes] are strappy and lace-up shoes. But we’re also known for our second-skin [shoes], like the Sexy Thing, which fits like a glove. It was one of my most iconic shoes. It was the one that editors, models and ‘it’ girls wear to the fashion weeks. They call it the ‘Fashion Week’s Shoes,’ because it’s high-heeled [and] can wear for 12 hours straight and they’re still comfortable.
What’s the secret to the comfort of the shoes?
So, when you’re wearing high heels, all the weight of your body is normally in the front. What we did was we studied the structure of the foot with this technician and came up with a way of constructing the shoes, so that the pitch, the inclination, fits the foot better and the weight of the body is evenly distributed between the front, the arch and the back.
We also use very soft materials, like very soft suede and calf [skin], and add an extra padded memory-foam on the soles.
(Photo courtesy of On Pedder)
How did you become a shoe designer?
Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve always been sketching shoes. It’s always come to me naturally. I don’t know why. When I sketch, shoes come out.
And now, how do you usually get inspiration for your designs?
Usually [from] women and traveling. I love to travel and see women all over the world. But a lot of times, especially now, I look at my clients on Instagram. I look at where my clients are, what they’re doing, what they’re wearing and do mood-boards with all the hashtags.
Who are the women that buy your shoes?
They’re very active women. They love fashion, they enjoy life, and they want to look beautiful.
In the previous collection, you worked with American socialite Olivia Palermo. What was it like?
It’s not only fun, but it’s also wonderful as a male designer to work with a woman and see a woman’s point of view. In the case of Olivia, she is constantly photographed, so she knows exactly what works and what doesn’t. I love working with women that have a great [sense of] style like her.
So, are you planning another collaboration with a different female celebrity?
We’re launching a new collaboration, which is top secret for now. But it will be launched in October.
What can we look forward to in the next collection?
It would be a lot of firsts. My first platforms, my first chunky heels [and] my first flat boots [with] lots of fringes. It would be very bohemian chic, with a touch of rock ‘n’ roll.
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