Rich collages by Leitmotiv

Juan Caro and Fabio Sasso

- Describe yourself shortly (individually and/or as a label).

Do you see big difference between these descriptions?

- When we described each other or our label we don’t see any difference because our label reflects what we are.

Leitmotiv is a German word and it’s like a conductive wire: for us Leitmotiv is a continuous passage between art and fashion. This is the meaning behind our label‘s name.

- You are working in tandem. How do you find connection between your ideas and visions?

- Surely we have different identities especially because we came from different cultures: Italian and Colombian. But we have the same vision. Art, history of art and fashion strongly influenced us in the same way.

- What was your first created item you where proud of?

- There is not an item in particular because we’re proud of each piece of every collection.

- Why did you choose to be designers?

- We began eight years ago.
 

Leitmotiv develops from the partnership of two creative minds: Juan Caro from Bogotá, Colombia moved to Europe to study arts first in Paris and then in Bologna, Italy; and Fabio Sasso from Milan, graduated in Arts from DAMS, Bologna with the hobby for the tailor profession rooted in his childhood and family lab. Leitmotiv is an artistic project speaking a new and unusual language, on the edge ­between reality and a theatre piece; our style is a combination between art and fashion. 

- What is the best thing about being designers?

- When you materialize the entire collection and you can see every single piece that you have just in your mind take shape

- Where do you seek for inspiration?

- Everywhere: from movies, art, history of art, our city…

- If colourful clothes could speak, what would they tell?

- Oh they have so much to tell!

- You are creating in Italy. Do you think that Italian style affected your creativity somehow?

- Of course it does. In Italy there is a strong tradition based on tailoring: our products are handmade and based on uniqueness.

- Do you have some special rituals before you start to create?

- Usually we go outside our studio and we began to take pictures of everything that attract our attention.

- What are the basic values for you as for designers?

- Determination, determination, determination!

- Your label is young, do you need to march and fight to get public’s attention?

 - We think that you don’t need to fight and march to get public’s attention: you just need determination. 

- If you can name it what is the biggest achievement in your young career?

- Fashion Incubator, which brought us to hit the catwalk in Milan and Tokio; Touch! At Pitti Immagine and Pitti W_Woman Precollection, an absolute window for women pre-collections running at the same time of Pitti Uomo #75 and Who‘s on next, a competition organized by editor in chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani.

In June 2010 we were the finalist at El Botón MANGO Fashion Awards (a contest for the young talented designers). Our participation at Premiére Classe salon during the fashion week in Paris and of course our participation at AltaRoma Fashion show.

- Future plans, dream collaborations and hopes?

- We can’t tell you otherwise they will not come true...

See more www.leit-motiv.com