At the dawn of the second decade, Aquazzura is serious about expansion

In 2012, Edgardo Osorio combined his fashion acumen with Florentine craftsmanship and designed an attractive and comfortable butter-soft suede high heel sandal called the Sexy Thing. Thus, Aquazzura, a luxury shoe brand with a pineapple effect label motif, was launched. Now Osorio plots to expand the brand with the latest addition, the bags, introduced at a hefty price tag. Paris Fashion Week party at the brand’s home away from home, the Hôtel d’Évreux in Place Vendome.

A few hours before the event where Osorio will introduce fashion experts and beauties like Jessica AlbaPoppy Delevingne, a former brand collaborator and influencer Caroline Daur on the new addition, the Colombian designer sat down with FashionNetwork.com at a preview of his Fall/Winter 2023 collection to talk about the latest brand extension.

“I’ve always wanted to create a lifestyle brand for myself. Accessories make a lot of sense because that’s what I designed when I consulted before opening Aquazzura,” explains Osorio, adding, “It’s like a walk naturally because it’s what the client is asking for.”

His business is poised to do the same with 13 flagship stores, several in-store outlets, and nearly 500 wholesale accounts, along with a new 2020 Aquazzura jewelry line and Aquazzura Home , introduced in 2021.

“It feels like the time is right. After ten years, we’ve consolidated our business around the world and we’re able to showcase and showcase it in our own retail stores. . We have the right groups to venture into other categories,” he continued.

The Fall/Winter 2023 collection was on display at a preview of the day. Pre-Fall 2023 Collection, Launching Exclusively at saka and flagship stores in February, especially featuring two core styles, 24/7 and the Twist bag, which come in a variety of sizes and colors and what Osorio calls daytime styles that can be worn. carried in different ways. “It’s a bag that takes you from work to dinner; not a party bag but will take you to many places,” the designer shared.

Hardware is marked on the bag. 24/7 features a gold mesh triangle with leather tassels on the lid. The Twist bag, available in several sizes, features a twisted metal bar inspired by 1970s design. “I’m obsessed with it; designers like Gabriella Crespi—the softness of the bag combined with a chunky gold bars that I find sexy and modern. The bags aren’t about logos but a recognizable design,” he suggested.

“You’ll see these bags at cocktail parties, along with some novelty styles, such as the Kiss Me Bag, the rhinestone-encrusted lip clutch,” explains Osorio, noting the bags The day is minimalist and the evening bags are conversation starters. Coming soon will include The Love Me bags, Tequila cups and noodle bags inspired by Chinese takeout containers. “These are more humorous styles,” he notes.

Remaining bags will be launched on March 7 with a select group of wholesale accounts. “I wanted to launch with some of our main wholesale accounts, so it felt exclusive and was the right way to launch with the right representation,” he said, referring to MyTheresa, Net-a-PorterBrown Match, Harrod’s, Lafayette Gallery And Crawford Lane among others are carrying bags.

The bags retail between €1,000 and €2,000 ($1,060 and $2,121), making Osorio’s offer unique as most designer bags don’t retail below €2,000 or $2,121. It uniquely positions the brand to capture a share of global sales of designer handbags and small leather goods, which are forecast to reach $100 million by 2027, according to Euromonitor.

It is also wise to take advantage of the PFW promotion and host a cocktail party to kick off the new brand addition. In a nod to the ‘Paris Waiter’, who offers champagne as one walks into the party, Osorio has his version of the Robert Palmer girls offering 24/7 bags with embossed color color on the tray. Guests also got a close look at Twist and Kiss Me styles in 17lame pants century old private villa.