My background is in Fashion. Once graduated from University in Florence I immediately started to work for Prada, that's where my passion for the product creation came out and is still going.
01Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?
My background is in Fashion. Once graduated from University in Florence I immediately started to work for Prada, that's where my passion for the product creation came out and is still going.
02What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
I don't see myself as a designer in the classic way it is intended. I am a non-stop creative mind that expresses herself in different ways. It's an inside need that I have that makes me create my design jewelries.
03Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
It just happened , no one forced me, I guess I just followed the flow.
04What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
Cant tell, right now I enjoy designing and creating my Jewelry Collections 100% made in Italy.
05What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
Legends are legends and I believe in real life. Having said that , well, they surely have to observe the world they live in.
06What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
Great designers not only design they sell their designs, they make a living out of their passion.
07What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
It's a good design when it's original and functional.
08What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
Good design is necessary for a better world to live in.
09What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
Sometimes it's more a question of money then time, I would like do design many new pieces but designing for me means creating a finished product and this means investing money.
10What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?
Having Lalla's corners in the right places around the world, such as St Tropez, Lisbon, London, Berlin, Barcelona, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Manhattan. The very next step will be Milan anyway. We are actually looking at some concept stores that could be the right ones for my creations.
11What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
Well this award is certainly a way to success but I never create thinking about success. So I can't say what's the ingredient, never give up, determination and a bit of luck too maybe.
12Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
I don't look at other designers to get inspired from, I live my life, read as much as I can and love design in general.
13What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
Le Corbusier chairs, I just think they are absolutely a master piece of design.
14What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
The one I haven't yet finished.
15How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
Do a lot of research of materials, study the past, observe the present.
16If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?
I imagine something that made me use my fantasy and creativity .
17How do you define design, what is design for you?
It's putting an idea into reality.
18Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
My husband, an interior designer architect himself, whenever I fell he picked me up . And believe me choosing to leave the certain for the uncertain has its down sides.
19What helped you to become a great designer?
Determination and a bit of madness.
20What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
The obstacles are everywhere. If one decides to run alone like me, designing your own brand, the main obstacle could be money. Designing for myself, for my own brand is a big economic challenge and one needs not only to be a designer but a good entrepreneur also. My Design Jewels are something that don't exist in the market , this is risky and at the same time challenging. Now thanks to this important award I believe that distributors and concept stores will pay attention to Lalla's emerging brand a little more.
21How do you think designers should present their work?
With determination, staying humble but at the same time sure of their work. There is a lot of competition out there, emerging with your own work is the most difficult thing to do.
22What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
More and more No-Gender Design jewelry made in Tuscany.
23What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
You should ask them I am afraid.
24What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
The evolution of my Pianeti necklace.
25What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
Less use of plastic please.
26How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
Depends on what I need to proceed...I not only have the idea, I bring it to life.
27When you have a new design project, where do you start?
Sometimes from the materials other times from the shapes.
28What is your life motto as a designer?
Be you be true
29Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
Trends are made out of design
30What is the role of technology when you design?
It helps in some cases.
31What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
No software, I use my hands.
32Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
Difficult to say.
33How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
Through experience on product development.
34Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
Micol Fontana
35How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
Am I famous ? will handle it I guess but I rather be in my Lab and create.
36What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
Lilac, my garden, my mother's lasagna, spring, my bed and Norvegian Rain
37Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
Some time ago I couldn't find an earing , just one long earing to wear on one side . I had it in my mind but no one sold it, so I created my own and now it's part of the collection since three years ago. Nowadays mono-earings have become a trend in fashion. I'm a visionary they say.
38What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
Not always easy to motivate myself...but a great day is definitely when I go back to sleep after having created what I have had in mind for days...or months.
39When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
I don't consider myself a great designer, maybe a good one. As a child I have always had lots of fantasy but no one really noticed it.
40What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
Honestly I live now, I believe that we have to think about now and this very minute, making our best keeping the planet a good place to live in.
41Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
I invite every one to come to my Creative Lab in Arezzo, Tuscany , breath slowly, smile. Be you be true and invest in good design.
디자이너 인터뷰
39 질문
My background is in Fashion. As soon as I finished university in Florence I got into Prada and that's where I found out my passion for product creation and design.
01Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
My background is in Fashion. As soon as I finished university in Florence I got into Prada and that's where I found out my passion for product creation and design. Then I moved to London for four years working for an old British leather goods brand called Tanner Krolle owned by the Chanel group at the time. I was head of product development for accessories and I got involved more and more in design and its development.
02Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
After the London experience I moved to France and then to Italy always working for companies in the Fashion biz until I decided to go my own way and founded Lalla's , a small emerging brand of modern no-gender jewelry. My studio is based in Arezzo, Tuscany and is a messy Creative Lab where ideas turn into life. You are welcome at any time.
03What is "design" for you?
Is the only right way to look at things, it's a state of mind.
04What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Objects that walk with you, as jewelry, handbags, belts, accessories in general.
05What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
My favorite is a no-gender necklace that can be either for men or women . It's a simple design consisting of three small silver pearls that slide along a leather thread . The necklace has an adjustable length in order to wear it according to the outfit. It belongs to the Metallica range by Lalla's of course.
06What was the first thing you designed for a company?
A handbag, when I was in London.
07What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Anything but plastic , I love wood, silver and recycled glass.
08When do you feel the most creative?
At Night.
09Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
It depends on what I'm creating, sometimes I focus on how much comfortable are going to be my creations, other times I just focus on the materials and play with them until the idea turns into something real.
10What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Satisfaction
11What makes a design successful?
A design object is successful when people likes it, wants it, buys it, therefore I imagine communication and good marketing are important for success, it doesn't make sense to have a great design if no one knows about it.
12When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Functionality and originality at the same time.
13From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
A designer should be able of making the world a better place to live in. Research and recycling are the first steps towards a better environment.
14How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
I don't know how it evolves what's sure is that design will stay while humans go.
15When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
I had an art-exhibition that just ended in a Boutique Hotel in Tuscany, it's called "la collana inquadrata" meaning the framed necklace. The next one hopefully in Milan. I'm looking for the right location. Https://www.instagram.com/p/BeoDUs-F0Ya/?taken-by=lallasdesign
16Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I study the past and I am an observer of anything that surrounds me, materials, people, trends.
17How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
Modern-chic, no-gender , clean style
18Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in Tuscany , I create in Tuscany . Living in Tuscany has only pros. :-)
19How do you work with companies?
I don't work with companies any longer, since three years ago I have created my own Brand of Design Jewels: Lalla's. I might consider collaborating with fashion companies in the future.
20What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Looking at the experience designers have on product development and not only their ability in choosing colors and sketching nice objects.
21Can you talk a little about your design process?
Idea-Concept-materials research-creation
22What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Le Corbusier chaise longue - 2 cinema armchairs of the 50's - Tolomeo standing lamp from Artemide - Architect Fabio Ghignoli's plexiglass chairs and Cube Orange Lamp
23Can you describe a day in your life?
How much time do we have? I am a creative woman mother of three kids, owner of an emerging Design Jewels Brand and married to an architect. When I am not travelling researching materials or meeting clients, my day is non-stop from 7 to midnight, mornings at the Lab, afternoons with the kids as much as possible and nights creating/working.
24Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Observe everything .
25From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
positive : being ahead of times negative : being so ahead that people don't follow you
26What is your "golden rule" in design?
Be you be true
27What skills are most important for a designer?
Intuition first of all and being able of listening others need and solving them.
28Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Hardware, needles, pliers.
29Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
I don't manage my time because I cant, designing has little to do with time management, one just follows that strange inside feeling that makes you forget about time.
30How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
Depends on the object.
31What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
What are you working on next ?
32What was your most important job experience?
All my past experience has been important in order to get me where I am today.
33Who are some of your clients?
Private people, design and fashion concept stores.
34What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I cant tell. Whenever I create something I feel good.
35What are your future plans? What is next for you?
My plans are placing Lalla's creations in the right conceptstores and fashion multibrand stores of Milan first and then abroad : Barcellona, Berlin, London, H.K., Tokyo. My small brand is ready to grow and get out of Tuscany.
36Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I don't believe in the "one person team". I have the idea, yes, but I work together with the best Italian artisans to make it real. My creations often are the result of at least five different components coming from five different artisans all over Italy. The team is me and architect Fabio Ghignoli for the graphic aspect. I have the idea, I do the research and the development with the artisans, then I create the jewels with my hands.
37Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Yes I do, but I never talk about a new design until it's completed
38How can people contact you?
Contacts are on website www.lallasdesign.com Mail : mll@lallasdesign.com Instagram: @lallasdesign
39Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
Yes, everyone should invest in good design, just makes you feel good. One last important thing, please buy real 100% made in Italy. Thank you very much. Ciao!
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