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.
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| 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
