Edgardo Osorio, founder of Aquazzura, on crafting exquisite moments, one step at a time

This dedication to handcrafted luxury manifests in Aquazzura’s meticulous design process. Sketching freehand, Osorio spends months fine-tuning each sculptural silhouette through extensive prototyping and wearer trials to perfect the fit, stride, and comfort to Cinderella-worthy perfection. “The shoes become like a second skin, and they look better on your feet than they do on the shelf. Many times, you see something beautiful, and you try it on, and somehow, it doesn’t look the same. Mine is the opposite,” he notes.

Such painstaking craft has earned Aquazzura a dedicated following among Hollywood royalty and the world’s most discerning dressers. Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and the Duchess of Sussex have all turned to Osorio’s creations for major moments. “When you can choose anything, and you choose to wear my shoes, it’s a wonderful thing. It’s like a stamp of approval from a very good friend that’s very stylish,” he says with a smile.

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In recent years, Osorio has expanded the brand into a true lifestyle house. The 2022 Casa collection translates Aquazzura’s vibrant aesthetic into tabletop items, while 2023’s inaugural handbag line, like the iconic Twist bag, reimagines sculptural design codes sans overt branding.

“I always knew I wanted Aquazzura to be a fashion lifestyle brand. I never thought that it was only going to be just shoes. I started with shoes because they were what I knew the most and the best, and they were where I had my contacts, and they were obviously my passion. The home collection was a labour of love. I’ve always loved entertaining. I think entertaining is an act of love. It’s very intimate, whether it’s at home or anywhere,” Osorio explains.

As for the bags, it was also a natural progression for Osorio. “When I was doing consulting, I was also designing bags, and it was something that always made sense to me in terms of a brand extension. My bags are like my shoes. It’s not about carrying a logo or having something too branded. It’s about the design, and when you see the bag, even from the other side of the street, and even if it doesn’t have the logo, you recognise the design. The idea is for the design, not the logo, to be recognisable,” says Osorio.

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Despite attaining such success, the designer’s greatest satisfaction remains facilitating meaningful moments in clients’ lives. “I think one of the most fulfilling things is seeing someone happy. Women wear my shoes for some of the most important moments like their first day at work or their first job interview, or a wedding. So from these key moments, they (the shoes) become part of something bigger. For me, that’s one of my favourite things,” he shares.

Looking ahead, the designer says that 2024 is a big year for Aquazzura’s retail expansion. “We just opened the store in Taipei a few months ago, as well as Saint-Tropez and Bahrain. We’re planning for Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Doha and Delhi all this year. I’m also working on men’s shoes, and that’s something very exciting,” he shares.

Finally, for young designers aspiring to make their mark, Osorio offers sage advice: “Have a very clear vision of what you want. Be a horse with blinders until you get what you want. Go and work hard and keep that vision very clear.”

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