Homeluxury bag → Short Moltedo: Luxury with Italian DNA |RSVPONLINE

Short Moltedo: Luxury with Italian DNA |RSVPONLINE

The people skills that characterize him are not learned, he comes from his Italian heritage. Gabriele Corto Moltedo was born in New York, but Venice is in his blood and he is a worthy representative of this city: passionate, charismatic, knowledgeable about sartorial culture, artisan manufacturing and what true luxury should be, something very far from the cliché that everyone knows.

Of course, he is an admirer of women, not in vain many of his designs bear the name of someone who inspires him, an example of this is the Priscilla bag, in honor of Elvis Presley's wife —this one, one of his most successful creations—or the one dedicated to Madonna when the singer turned 50; and it is that music is another of his great passions, hence the silhouette of a cassette is replicated in his flagship bags, either in the form of a print or as a detail on the clasps.

This 38-year-old businessman and designer grew up knowing the importance of leather goods and the characteristics that identify good leathers to create great objects of desire, since his parents, Vittorio and Laura Moltedo, founded the firm Bottega Veneta, a benchmark in Italian fur.

A life that has led him to live with prominent figures in various fields, to visit countless cities around the world and that nurtured him with ideas to create, in 2004, his own firm: Corto Moltedo.

From then on, New York ceased to be his place of residence, now his days are divided between Paris —the city where he founded his first store, in the Palais Royal— and Florence —the site that houses his workshop—, in those places It is where the magic happens, where Anglo-Saxon and Latin cultures and customs come together to create bag collections in the classic-urban style.

Fortunately for Mexican women, Gabriele decided to introduce her collection to El Palacio de Hierro, since previously her products could only be purchased in private sales or through her website.

With this pretext, he visited Mexico, a destination that attracts him for so many reasons that he visits it frequently, whether it is to be nourished by the culture, rest on the beaches of the Riviera Maya or have a good time with his Mexican friends.

Right at the house of his great friend Beatriz Pasquel we talked with him to learn a little more about his world.

Corto Moltedo: Luxury with Italian DNA | RSVPOnline

Ivonne Olimón, Gabriele Corto Moltedo, Marisa Abedrop and Beatriz Pasquel

Tell me about your childhood.

I was a very happy child, I grew up between New York and Italy and I spent my time traveling, since my parents had to go out a lot because of their work at Bottega Veneta in the eighties and they took me with them. So I went to school between the United States and Europe, it was difficult because I had to leave friends behind, but the truth is that I consider myself very lucky because that way I got to know more cultures. Also, there are people who are really having a hard time, so I can't complain, I've had a very good life.

Do you have any siblings?

I have stepbrothers and a stepsister, but I am the only child of my parents.

What are your parents like?

My mom, Laura, is a fabulous woman and I don't mean in the glamorous sense of the word, but in the artistic one. She is warm and always on the cutting edge, she is very supportive of emerging artists and she makes art herself, she is a great creative mind. On the other hand, my father, Vittorio, is a great cook, he prepares the best spaghetti in the world and never repeats a recipe. He is an excellent businessman and also very handsome; When I was a teenager all my girlfriends fell in love with him, we didn't compete, but it was fun to see that all my friends wanted to go to my house to see my dad.

Were they an example to you?

Obviously, I had no choice. When you grow up with such a model it is part of natural evolution. I always wanted to be a designer, not especially bags, but to dedicate myself to design in the full sense of the word. I studied art history and French, since I did not want to close the doors to other knowledge and thus I managed to expand my mind.

Did you always draw?

Yes, from a very young age, like most children, I wasn't the best, but I loved to sketch everything I saw.

When did you decide to open your brand?

In 2004, after my parents sold their company. I had always wanted to put up my own line or work with them, so when the sale happened it was the natural thing to do, as I wanted to carry on their legacy and tradition, so I did.

What did Laura and Vittorio tell you?

They were very happy and wished me the best of luck.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome?

Getting independent from my parents and their shadow and once I did, accepting my roots and the great legacy they left me. Most of the people who are dedicated to the same thing as their relatives, struggle with the problem of being recognized for themselves and their triumphs, and with the thought that it was easier for them. Finding my own path and inspiration was a great challenge. I achieved it thanks to the support of my friends and team, because once the product was ready it spoke for itself, even so I kept few things from my parents' designs.

Photos: Sergio Bejarano

What things did you learn from them?

The relentless use of good materials, the artisan technique and all those aspects such as dedication and passion towards bags and details.

About your pieces, do you have a creative process?

Yes, every day. I start each season with an inspiration, and from there a long investigation continues, since each one of the bags has a unique concept and meaning. For example, the collection that we are presenting at El Palacio de Hierro began when we saw the movie I am love, and we were looking to make a very Italian line. In the film, the actress Tilda Swinton plays the role of the owner of the house, but it was not the film that inspired us, but the house in which it was filmed, which is a very iconic mansion in Milan called Villa Necchi. , built by the architect Piero Portaluppi. We base ourselves on the materials, colors and history of the house, in fact, the name of the collection is Villa Necchi.

Which are the most representative bags of your brand?

Priscilla, Constanza and the Susan Clutches. I named them that way because it is natural and I love women; the first is in honor of Priscilla Presley, Susan is for my friend Susan Bender, and Constanza, in fact, is the name of an old beach club on the Italian Riviera.

Do you have any great satisfaction in your life?

I don't like looking back, you die if you live in the past, you have to look forward to keep your balance. I try to guide my life with this philosophy.

Why come to Mexico?

I have been coming to Mexico for many years, since I was conceived in Cuernavaca and part of me feels Mexican. Also, four years ago I had a Mexican girlfriend, who was a great love in my life, and who happens to be Beatriz Pasquel's sister, Natasha. So I have a great history with this country, my favorite place is Mexico City, and the Teotihuacán pyramids seem crazy to me, I'm thinking of making a collection inspired by them.

What are you working on now?

In the spring-summer line, which is inspired by another film called La Piscine and will arrive in Mexico in February.

Do you really like movies? What is your favorite movie?

Yes, I love it and my all-time favorite is Star Wars, the first three. I already did a collection inspired by Star Wars and one on Daft Punk. But now my creations are a bit more serious.

What's next for you?

Going back home, between Paris and Florence, and working on my next collection which is coming out. These ten days here were wonderful, but it's time to go back to work.

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