Sandra‘s Closet

A collaboration between Andrea Gullo, Director of Officine Gullo, and Edgardo Osorio, founder and Creative Director of the Italian luxury footwear brand Aquazzura, unites the world of fashion with that of design.

At Palazzo Corner Spinelli, in the San Marco district of Venice, on the Grand Canal, Edgardo resides in a beautiful residence that dates back to the end of the fifteenth century and is characterized by architecture that is representative of the transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance in Venetian art, evidenced by the façade on the canal.

Officine Gullo installed for the famous designer a kitchen in turquoise and nickel finishes in a kitchen environment, characterized by a striped painted parquet floor and hand-decorated walls. Exotic animals, flowers and brightly colored trees recall motifs of fine 18th-century Chinese porcelain and transport the observer to an exotic garden and to distant places.

Appliances
Hob with 4 burners and a coup de feu. One gas and one electric oven, fridge-freezer and dishwasher.

Colours and finishings
Turquoise & Satin Nickel.

I absolutely adore this kitchen. As I am in the process of furnishing my new home, I cannot wait to show you my new kitchen very soon… it turned out so beautifully.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Officine Gullo
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Today I am on my way to Ischia and Capri for the weekend and I am so much looking forward to being back. Last time I was there was for the opening of the Aquazzura store one year ago. The brand’s founder & creative director, Edgardo Osorio, invited us to the island for a weekend of pure fun that I have only shared in my IG stories so far. Here is my outfit that I wore for the first night. We enjoyed sunset cocktails at the beautiful JK Place Capri. A magical place for Edgardo and his partner Ricardo. Here the name Aquazzura was created during a sunset dinner overlooking the bay. It comes from the words ‘acqua’ and ‘azzurra’, which means blue water in Italian. Edgardo has always been in love with the sea and the sun, and wanted the name of his brand to both evoke his love for Italy and to remind him of Capri.

My look: Cropped button-embellished jacquard-knit blazer (also available in beige), cropped button-embellished pointelle-knit top (also available in peach), and button-embellished ribbed stretch-knit midi skirt (also available in peach), all by Balmain, Jodie mini knotted leather tote by Bottega Veneta, Whisper metallic leather wedge sandals by Aquazzura, earrings by CHANEL, Clash de Cartier ring in 18K rose gold with amazonite by Cartier, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

I am here in CAPRI to celebrate life and EDGARO OSORIO‘s new island adventure, the beautiful new shop located in the city center. Here, the story of the famous shoe brand began during a sunny summer day on the terrace of JK Place. The view of the bright blue color of the sea inspired the name AQUAZZURA. The light, sun, colors and sea of this unique island embody mood and unmistakable vibe of the brand’s lifestyle. Today, Edgardo shares his travel tips for Capri.

Your favourite holiday destination?
CAPRI is one of my favourite places to holiday in Italy, with its rugged coastline, the Blue Grotto and delicious food, this island is a treat for all the senses. The island is particularly close to my heart as it is where I came up with the name and concept for Aquazzura. Like Capri, Aquazzura should remind you of the Dolce Vita and of a fabulous summer holiday.

Your favourite hotel?
When I am in Capri my home is always the JK PLACE HOTEL.
Via Marina Grande, 225, 80076 Capri NA, Phone: +39 081 838 4001

Your favourite restaurant during the day?
For lunch my favourite restaurant is IL RICCIO in Anacapri.
Via Gradola, 4, 80071 Anacapri NA, Phone: +39 081 837 1380

Your favourite restaurant at night?
For dinner, I love restaurant DA PAOLINO.
Via Palazzo a Mare, 3/4, 80076 Marina Grande NA, Phone: +39 081 837 6102

Your favourite night club?
After I dance the night away at TAVERNA ANEMA E CORE, a really unique night club with a retro vibe.
Via Sella Orta, 1, 80076 Capri NA, Phone: +39 081 837 6461

Your favourite gelateria?
If you are looking for the best ice cream in Capri, you have to visit GELATERIA BUONOCORE, my favourite.
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 35, 80073 Capri NA, Phone: +39 081 837 7826

Your favourite day activity?
During the day I love chilling at LA FONTELINA BEACH CLUB.

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
When you are in Capri, you cannot leave without visiting the beautiful VILLA LYSIS, you will be amazed by the best view of Capri. It is a unique and enchanting spot, closely tied to the life and tastes of Jacques d’Adelswärd Fersen, a Parisian count who withdrew to the island of Capri in self-imposed exile to escape a series of scandals in his home country.
Via Lo Capo, 12, 80076 Capri NA

Your favourite shop?
Of course for the best shoes, you cannot miss the new AQUAZZURA boutique!
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 5, 80073 Capri NA, Phone: +39 081 1807 3010

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
A book that always reminds me of Capri is THE EXILE OF CAPRI, the story of a young eccentric aristocrat that used to live in the historic VILLA LYSIS that exiles in Capri and finds love.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
To better feel the atmosphere of this amazing island I love listening to the song TU VUÒ FA’ L’AMERICANO, the version sang by FIORELLO that is the soundtrack of one of my favourite movies, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY shot at the Amalfi Coast.

Thank you, Edgardo, for sharing your insider scoop on Capri with us!

If you are interested, don’t miss Edgardo’s travel tips for his hometown Florence. Click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via the respective locations, © Aquazzura and © Sandra Bauknecht

I love Aquazzura shoes and I love their stores. Each one of our boutiques has a very different feel but share a common thread. One of my favorite ones is located at the heart of Milan in Via Sant’Andrea, 12. While I am furnishing my new house, this interior design has fully inspired me. I adore its fine custom made décor in fine, sophisticated materials, such as French marble, blown glass, velvet and brass.

You can shop a large selection of Aquazzura shoes online at Net-à-Porter.

The black and white stripes, which are recurrent features of the brand and which are being used for their shoe boxes for example, look so great together with the pale pink furniture and glossy lacquer paneling walls, inspired by 70’ Italian style. The beautiful interior was designed by Casa do Passadiço’s interior designers, Cláudia and Catarina Soares, in collaboration with Aquazzura’s Edgardo Osorio.

The golden brass wall is covered of thousands of hand-cut golden scales, creating a pattern that is reminiscent of the gold pineapple, another iconic symbol of the brand. Another highlight of the shop is the mouth-blown Murano glass chandelier, which adds to this intimate luxurious parlour a contemporary elegance and luxury.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Aquazzura
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Being an EIP (extremely important person) at Net-à-Porter, aka very good customer, is something I can only recommend. I have been a loyal client of the online shopping destination since many many years, and can only tell you that the customer service, the private shopping department and the invitations you get are outstanding. I have become friends with many of the team members. Net-à-Porter has become a family for me, and I am part of it.

Great memories: With Edgardo in 2013 and with Elizabeth last summer in Paris.

During quarantine, Net-à-Porter started an online event series for their top clients. As travelling has not been an option lately, we meet with the designers or beauty specialist, top chefs and others over Zoom. Yesterday, I had sunset cocktails with Edgardo Osorio of AQUAZZURA
and Elizabeth von der Goltz, Global Buying Director Net-à-Porter and one of the most stylish women I know.

For Edgardo it was more like a morning juice as he spent his quarantine in Los Angeles in his beach house located next to the sea. He told us that his favorite thing to do has been planting flowers, mostly gardenias for the smell and lavender for the color. We might be seeing lots of floral details in his next collection as he has been drawing mainly nature.

«FASHION NEEDS TO MAKE PEOPLE DREAM.»

Edgardo is a people person and is truly looking forward to hugging his friends and family again. On Monday, he is going back to Italy as the stores and warehouses are opening again. For him, it was an absolutely new experience to be in one place for over 2 months. Usually, he is constantly on the go, and surrounded by his friends. AQUAZZURA shoes can be seen on the feet of trendsetters, Hollywood stars, European royalty and fashion insiders all around the globe.

Some of my new AQUAZZURA shoes, I got during quarantine.

How did he start his company? After attending the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins, he made his first step into the footwear world working with some of the most prestigious luxury brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo, René Caovilla, and Roberto Cavalli. In 2011, after 10 years in the industry and at just 25 years old, he launched his luxury footwear brand AQUAZZURA. His initial idea was to create shoes for dancing. The summer before he created his brand, he was invited to twelve weddings in one summer and was always placed next to the dance floor. No wonder, born in Colombia and raised between Miami and London, he is always the first and last one on it. «Dancing lifts your mood, it’s the best exercise,» he says. On Spotify, you can even find the AQUAZZURA Happy Summer 2020 playlist. As his female friends were always complaining that they cannot find shoes comfortable enough to dance in, he decided to change this.

«COMFORTABLE WAS A DIRTY WORD.»

«You need to fall in love with your shoe. It becomes part of your body,» Edgardo explains. In the past nine years, AQUAZZURA has gained global recognition as an innovator in the footwear industry. «Nine years ago, when I started my brand, comfortable was a dirty word. You should never have to apologize for wearing flats. So I decided to create a flat you don’t need to apologize for.»

Click here for the outfit post with the Christy flats.

The so-called Christy flat immediately caused a frenzy among fashionistas. A classic flat gets dressed up with a pretty lace-up tie and brilliant metallic heel. What else could you dream of? Comfortable, feminine and chic in one.

«LUXURIOUS THINGS TAKE TIME TO MAKE.»

For Edgardo, «the definition of luxury is time. Fashion became too fast. Luxurious things take time to make. For a shoe, a millimeter makes the difference. Either it doesn’t fit or it is uncomfortable.» At AQUAZZURA, it takes around 6-12 months to make a new shoe model. Edgardo explains: «We have a fit model, we always work with. After around 5-7 fit trials, it goes into production. Then we make a size run.»

Edgardo’s sketch was all about yellow yesterday.

«I LOVE TO GIVE A PUMP MOVEMENT.»

At the moment, he has a thing for yellow. He loves India, Mexico, color, and crafts. His favorite details are fringes, tassels, everything that moves. «I love to give a pump movement». While we are in the Zoom meeting, he immediately grabs a pen and starts designing a shoe. Instantly, you can see how he combines his passion for modern design with impeccable luxury craftsmanship to create timeless footwear with a twist.

For his travel tips for Florence, click here please for the previous post.

What will be the first thing Edgardo will do once he is back in Florence? «I’ll grab an insane portion of gelato (ice-cream in Italian), pistachio and cookies & cream and watch the sunset on the bridge.» Where will he spend his summer? «I would love to do a road trip through Italy. I will definitely go to the Amalfi Coast and stay longer there. In August, I will go to Greece, one of my favorite places in the world.»

De Gournay x Aquazzura

«I LOVE MATCHIMALISM.»

When I asked him if we can expect more accessories, such as bags, belts and scarfs or even ready-to-wear as I love matching outfits, he laughed and said: «I also love matchimalism and completely understand what you mean. But before I launch ready-to-wear, I will focus more on tablecloths and home accessories following my collaboration with De Gournay. However, more accessories will follow and in fall, I am going to launch men’s footwear and my own tequila.»

Speaking of which, as we met for sunset cocktails, Edgardo showed us to prepare a margarita and a mocktail, which I loved. Edgardo is obsessed with ginger and includes it in everything he can. He likes it spicy. Cheers!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Net-à-Porter, Aquazzura
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Born in Colombia and raised between Miami and London, EDGARDO OSORIO combines his eye for drop-dead glamour, his passion for modern design and his hand for luxury craftsmanship into desirable footwear. After attending the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins, he made his first strides in the footwear world within some of the most prestigious luxury brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Sigerson Morrison, René Caovilla, and Roberto Cavalli. In 2011, after working in the industry for 10 years, and at just 25 years old, Edgardo launched his luxury footwear brand AQUAZZURA. Striking the perfect balance between modern design and impeccable craftsmanship, Edgardo creates stylish yet wearable footwear for the modern woman. Today, he shares his insider scoop on the city he is living in with us!

Your favourite city?
FLORENCE – My home. My headquarters are situated in the historical Palazzo Corsini along with the Florentine flagship store (see photo above). Along the Arno River, in the heart of Florence and near the best shoemakers and craftspeople in the world.
Aquazzura Store, Lungarno Corsini, 42, 50123 Florence, Phone: +39 055 291242

Your favourite hotel?
J.K. PLACE FIRENZE – This small boutique hotel is the most stylish address to stay in Florence.
Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 7, 50123 Firenze, Phone: +39 055 2645181

Your favourite restaurant?
BUCA MARIO – Traditional Florentine cuisine in the heart of the historic city centre, housed in a sixteenth-century buca. In Florence, buche were typical cellars situated beneath imposing historic palazzos often owned by aristocratic families. They were used to store salted meats, ham and salamis, and, above all, to house precious wine. Enormous oak vats lined the thick walls, which maintained an ideal temperature. As you make your way down the old entrance stairs of Buca Mario, it is impossible not to step into the past.
Piazza degli Ottaviani, 16r, 50123 Firenze, Phone: +39 055 214179

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
LA TERRAZZO LOUNGE BAR on the rooftop of HOTEL CONTINENTALE – From the rooftop bar you get a magical view of the cathedral and other historic buildings located in Florence.
Vicolo dell’Oro, 6R, 50123 Firenze, Phone: +39 055 27262

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The VASARI CORRIDOR, a hidden corridor used by the Medici family to get between the Pitti Palace and the Palazzo Vecchio. It is one of the most unique places in Florence, with a one of a kind collection of self-portraits from the 16th century.
Uffizi Gallery, Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze

Your favourite park?
BARDINI GARDENS – It has three sections: a great baroque flight of steps, fringed with irises. It ascends to a belvedere and with expansive views of Florence, an English garden with its Channel of the Dragon and a farming area with almost-medieval hillside terraces planted with olive trees.
Costa S. Giorgio, 2, 50125 Firenze, Phone: +39 055 2006 6206

Your favourite shop?
OFFICINA PROFUMA FARMACEUTICA DI SANTA MARIA NOVELLA – It is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world.
Via della Scala, 16, 50123 Firenze, Phone: +39 055 216276

Your must-have accessory?
A BORSALINO PANAMA HAT – stylish and iconic.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
Old italian songs by RAFFAELLA CARRA to put you in a great mood!

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
«SAVING ITALY» by Robert M. Edsel – An unforgettable story of epic thievery and political intrigue, a testament to heroism on behalf of art, culture, and history.

Thank you, Edgardo, for sharing your insider scoop on Florence with us!

TO SHOP AQUAZZURA, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the different locations, © Edgardo Osorio/Aquazurra and © Sandra Bauknecht

Edgardo Osorio for Salvatore Ferragamo sees Aquazzura’s creative director lend his talents to an iconic Italian brand. Let’s be honest, Edgardo is not only extremely handsome, he is probably one of the most talented shoe designers on this planet. I first met the Colombian-born genius a few years ago at his Paris showroom during fashion week and was immediately taken by his charm.

Last year, I was not only able to fly to Colombia but also to visit the House of Ferragamo during its 100th anniversary. This amazing collaboration between Aquazzura’s mastermind and the Florentine fashion brand is very special as Edgardo kick-started his career working at Salvatore Ferragamo ten years ago. This capsule collection of crazy-covetable collectibles combines the best of both brands, bringing together the utmost elegance with wearability and enduring chic.

Amber lace-up suede peep-toe ankle boots by Edgardo Osorio for Salvatore Ferragamo

I am obsessing over the brightly coloured printed sandals and feather-embellished beauties that strike the perfect balance of old-school Hollywood glamour and contemporary cool.

So you can imagine my level of happiness holding this surprise in my hand: the feather-winged suede sandals by Edgardo Osorio for Salvatore Ferragamo.

SHOP THE AMAZING COLLABORATION HERE ONLINE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Salvatore Ferragamo

Available from today is the new and amazing collaboration between Edgardo Osorio‘s shoe cult brand Aquazurra (for a previous post please click HERE) and style icon Olivia Palermo.

The collection features a little something for everyone’s closet, from suede boots made from the Italian label’s patented ultra-soft cashmere leather to lace-up gladiator heels and embellished sparkling sandals.

The pieces are sold in 12 specially selected stores around the world and luckily, if you aren’t in one of those major cities, the collaboration is also available exclusively on Net-à-Porter.

Hurry up to snag our own pairs before they all sell out. Below are my favorites. I attached you the photos with the shoes on the models as you really have to see them worn. So beautiful!

LoL, Sandra

Embellished suede sandals

Cutout leather sandals

Suede ankle boots

Photos: © Getty Images and Courtesy of Net-à-porter

Aquazzura, founded by Edgardo Osorio, has won the heart of every shoe lover around the globe in no time. And believe me, after having met the extremely good-looking and charming designer in Paris, I love his heels even more.

Colombian-born Edgardo launched his label in 2011, after having honed his skills at such renowned fashion houses as Salvatore Ferragamo and Roberto Cavalli. Crafted on the outskirts of Florence, his impeccably crafted, elegant and extremely sexy footwear offers the ultimate mix of European luxury and Latin American extravagance.

This fall, he is launching a special capsule collection of his iconic Berkeley bootie in partnership with Shoescribe. Make sure to add at least one pair to your to-buy list and enjoy this sneak preview below of his amazing designs for S/S 2014.

Aquazura is available at net-à-porter and mytheresa.

LoL, Sandra

Still and photos in collage to the left: Courtesy of Shoescribe, to the right © Sandra Bauknecht
All other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht