Saturday, February 15, 2014

Meet Sandro Gonnella ..Ozona Occhiali



Fall fashion for 2014continues. New York, London, Milan and lastly Paris are the notable destinations but there are oh so many fashion weeks scattered around the world that overlap and fall in line. My next focus will be Milan and then next series of subjects are, well, 3 of them directly related to the world of Italian fashion and one who is a master artisan and would fit into any fashion capital of the world.

 art by Marc Antoine Coulon


Today the focus is on Sandro Gonnella and his brand OZONA. Sandro has taken the art and craftsmanship of eyewear and morphed it further to include bespoke eyewear/opticals. As an avid collector of eyeglasses, I can honestly say BRAVO! It has always been very apparent to me that one’s choice of eyewear is reflective of their personality and can be an asset as well as an integral part of their sartorial choices.



Signor Gonnella is responsible for her signature eyewear of Diane Pernet as well as countless celebrities who have found refuge behind his doors and made their choice...OZONA! If I lived in Perugia or even nearby, I would be a constant presence there and always finding something I had to have. As I have always said, we who live in the USA are not as well informed as we would like to think when it comes to fashion and OZONA is proof of that.



Here’s the structure of brand explained by its founder: the sartorial glasses as the highest level of customization and exclusivity, unique frames which are exclusive and embody the designer's design and our collection of eyewear in limited editions.

I may be wrong, but there is no place in the states where one can order their glasses in the same way that they order a suit at Anderson and Sheppard. Allow me to introduce Sandro Gonnella to you and let’s “hear” what he has to say ……
1-What is the most treasured possession in your wardrobe?
The most treasured possession in my wardrobe is a sartorial coat of Cashmere created by an old tailor of Perugia who took the necessary time to fit and produce the perfect coat for my figure with blue high quality Cashmere that gives a very pleasant sensation when you wear it.
2-What is your most sterling trait and what trait do you treasure most in your friendships?
My most sterling trait is my openness and availability for other persons and the trait I most treasure in friendships is sincerity and honesty.
3-What is your bliss?
When I create an idea, a thought with my hands ... when ideas become alive and also the moments where my students pay attention in my courses looking at me like a child to whom is told a beautiful story.
4-What is your guilty secret?
The meaning of my tattoo.
5-Where is your ideal home?
My ideal home is on an island in summer, New York in winter and Perugia for the life.
6-If you could not be a designer/retailer/etc.: what would you be
A world-traveller.
7-What is on your bedside table right now?
Books, magazines, a watch, a pen, some sheets and hand-cream.
8-What do you wear to bed?
My piercings and my tattoo.
9-What if any, book are you reading now or last read?
Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life, Drunvalo Melchizedek
10-What’s your advice to the “newcomer?”
Make a list of your wishes, putting at first place the most important one and materialize them in your imagination.
11-Who or what is your inspiration/style icon?
A diamond: simple, pure, shiny
12-What is the best advice you ever received?
Think carefully before you give an advice.
13-In 3 words or less, describe the current state of fashion.
The actual fashion is like the big malls: distracted, of mass and doesn't know anymore what elegance is.
14-If you were a retailer; would you wear your own designs or shop in your own store? or where would you shop?
I would definitely always wear my own design, visit my own shop and compare it with a vintage eyewear boutique.
15-If you won a $200,000,000 power ball (lottery), what is the first thing you would buy or do?
I would depart ... with my favourite clothes, with my favourite watch and with many thoughts ... finally free.
16-If you could invite up to 4 people for dinner, who would they be…dead or alive?
Pablo Picasso, Nikola Tesla, Yves Saint Laurent and my grandfather Vittorio.
17-What is your favorite movie /or movie star?
My favourite film is "The Party" (1968).
18-What is the one thing you would change about yourself?
I've changed so many things in the last two years that I honestly can't answer you.
19-Whose opinion do you value most and why?
The opinion of my nephews because they have the wisdom of pure beings.
20-What store or which designer do you most like to shop in or wear?
I like the colours of Antonio Marras, the style of Yves Saint Laurent, but I love to let create my clothes by a tailor.
21-What’s your take on magazines, books versus the internet?
Internet is a magnificent source of knowledge but too often confused and falsified. I adore magazines and books because I can browse and rebrowse them writing notes on them.
22-Do you have a dream collaborator?
Yes, my partner.
23-What is your crowning achievement thus far in your career?
The interest Vogue showed and shows in my respect and that the persons say that I create beautiful objects.
24-What’s your music library like?
Classical music, in particular Ludovico Einaudi, but also Cold Play and in general Italian and Britain Pop & Rock.
25-What and where is your favorite meal?
At home, a good plate of "spaghetti cacio e pepe".
www.ozonaocchiali.com

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