Advanced Search

The story appears on

Page B16

May 7, 2015

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » Feature » iDEAL

A passion for comfortable, casual clothes

Source: Shanghai Daily | May 7, 2015, Thursday | Print Edition

Originally from Brazil, jewelry designer Fernando Jorge has succeeded in creating a distinctive style that takes inspiration from the laid-back attitude and effortless sensuality of his home. Retailers and collectors around the world recognize his design prowess and impeccable craftsmanship. He works closely with small workshops and craftsmen in central Sao Paulo, defying the norms with his unusually-cut stones and unexpected constructions. The finished result is refined yet sculptural, all underpinned by an innate sense of the experimental.

My personal style is casual and functional, focusing on quality and comfort. Color is usually the starting point and then I build around that.

 

I usually shop when I travel or for an occasion. I look for specific items that I’m in need of and in turn hold the memories of the trip or special moment. This emotional connection is what makes an item important to me.

 

I have no limit in the artistic materials and stationary that I buy. Acquiring different colored pencils and markers at the beginning of each collection has become an important part of my creative process.

 

My all-time favorite designers are Brazilian furniture designer Sergio Rodrigues and Brazilian architect João Artacho Jurado. They both mix references and add their personality for a very interesting result.

 

My last wardrobe addition was a pair of A.P.C. leather boots.

 

The next fashion purchase will definitely be with sunny weather in mind, most likely swim trunks and some fresh T-shirts.

 

My grooming staples are my beard trimmer and Dr Jackson’s natural face oils.

 

My most memorable destination is Chapada Diamantina in the north east of Brazil. It is the most beautiful hiking spot in Brazil, full of waterfalls and breathtaking sights.

 

My favorite fashion designer is Giambattista Valli. I really appreciate his sensibility and the beauty of his work.

 

The last book I read was a series of short stories by Marcelo Rubens Paiva.

 

My signature perfume is Musgo Real by ClausPorto, a handmade Portuguese cologne.

 

The best thing about living in London is having creative people from all parts of the world in my close circle.

Eugenia Palagi has been the Consul of Italy in Shanghai for economic affairs since 2012. She grew up in Milan and Rome but has also lived in London and Aix-en-Provence. She uses fashion to promote Italian designers and products and believes innovation must be rooted in both culture and tradition.

My personal style is to mix high-end brands, street fashion and no logo. I love vintage. My accessories and jewelry are often a legacy passed from one generation to another in my family. High heels are a must even though recently I started to fancy flats.

 

I usually shop in Rome. Piazza di Spagna and surroundings for both brands and street fashion. I go to Rione Monti for vintage. A vintage market there opens every weekend (www.mercatomonti.com) with some fancy bargains.

 

I have to limit myself when buying shoes. It may be a cliché for women, but I believe the infinite quest for shoes is because they tell different stories about who we are and who we want to be.

 

My all-time favorite designer is probably Miuccia Prada for the elegant and fresh touch she always inspires.

 

My best recent purchase is my wedding gown from Alberta Ferretti. It was presented as part of the spring-summer collection at Shanghai Fashion Week. It has a “fairy” look that will match with Jimmy Choo white shoes.

 

The next fashion purchase will probably be a red dress for the local ceremony of my wedding. So I’m scouting.

 

My personal staple is probably Italian shoes. Italy produces high-quality shoes and accessories not only for Italian brands.

 

I definitely want to visit Asia better before leaving for my next posting. Diplomats normally rotate from one country to another and from one continent to the other. So we have to experience the most out of our destinations before moving to the next “stepping stone.”

 

My most memorable destination is probably China. I visited several other countries, from Australia, to Europe, to Asia, to North Africa. But the fascinating complexity of Chinese history and culture has few equals around the world.

 

The last book I read is “The Making of Heavenly Trousers,” written by Daniele Varè, an Italian diplomat appointed to China in 1912 and 1927. It is a fictional account of a foreigner’s life in old Beijing. It is quite interesting as some concepts still apply decades later.

iDEAL


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend