FW23
Photography by EVA SLYUSAR
Niccolò Pasqualetti, a Tuscany-born Paris-based designer, talks about his journey since the launch of his eponymous brand in 2021. From the inspirations drawn from personal experiences to the seamless blend of fiction and reality, Pasqualetti shares insights into the ethos that defines his brand. Join us as we explore the intersection of art and fashion, sustainability woven into design, and a sneak peek into the upcoming collection coming live on Paris Fashion Week on the 27th of February. This season coincides with Niccolò Pasqualetti’s nomination for the 2024 edition of the LVMH Prize and promises a fusion of constructed and deconstructed elements.
hube: How has your design style evolved since launching your eponymous brand in 2021, and how do you see it progressing in the future?
Niccolò Pasqualetti: I believe my design has been responsive to the present moment. It’s always evolving, becoming more introspective over time. I try to look within myself. For instance, in the most recent collection, SS24, the inspiration came from spending time in hospitals for family reasons. This created a pristine atmosphere in the show and the clothes themselves. Only by being personal and having a vision that reflects your reality can you create something universal, unique, and new. Thinking about the past and the future is essential, but taking things step by step every day is crucial.
We keep changing, and our styles evolve. I cannot say I’m the same as I was a year ago, and I won’t be the same in a year. What we aim to achieve with the brand is to have something timeless, recognisable, and rooted in personal experience.
h: The motto of your work is “the fluidity of stone and the sensuality of water”. Could you elaborate on this vision and how it adds to the overall aesthetic and identity of your brand?
NP: These words express opposite elements coming together, acquiring qualities from each other. It’s about mixing geometric and organic, masculine and feminine, and finding beauty in between. The idea is that things don’t have to make sense immediately, but they make logical sense and hold truth over time. The inspiration comes from organic sculptures, like those of Jean Arp and Hepworth, blending shapes and fluidity.
h: Your designs seamlessly blend fantasy with wearable, everyday pieces. How do you strike a balance between creating pieces that are both artistic and functional for everyday use?
NP: The inspiration comes from real-world complexities and memories, blending everyday life with moments of fantasy. The goal is to create pieces that are grounded in reality yet have a touch of surrealism, making them easy to integrate into everyday life. It’s a process of translating real-world inspiration into a blend of real and surreal elements, ensuring that the pieces remain functional while being artistic.