Sexy, unexpected, and attention getting. It’s everything you could want in a high heel, and it’s everything that Lucila Iotti delivers. Iotti started the eponymous label in her hometown of Buenos Aires where her father, Jorge Iotti, began his tailoring shop in 1920. In a city obsessed with shoes, her creations stand out with their eye-popping colors and mix of unexpected textures, including vinyl, patent leather, suede and leather. It’s certainly no surprise that her bold designs caught the attention of Patricia Field, Sex and the City’s infamous costume designer. We love Iotti’s latest collection, inspired by Brazil’s Carnival, and can’t wait to see what this innovator comes up with next. Check out our Q&A with this passionate Latina who is just as colorful as her shoes (even the electric orange and blue pair)!
Deborah Bowness
Our fascination with Deborah Bowness has only grown since last month’s faux library post. Trained in Leeds, and later in London at The Royal College of Art, Bowness has been designing and hand-printing wallpaper for over 8 years. Her unique style of trompe l’oel has donned trendy locals such as the New York Soho House and Phillip Stark’s Yoo-Aldelgade in Copenhagen. Combining an artistically forward eye with experimental styles and luxurious materials, Bowness breaks traditional barriers, creating functional works of art that are a true breath of fresh air. Reinterpreting the world with a photographic lens and 2D palette, her collections are as playful as they are sophisticated. Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into her daily routine.
Andrea Cavagnaro
Risa (laughter), beso (kiss), and cuerpo (body) are just a sampling of the delightful Spanish words that Andrea Cavagnaro, Buenos Aires based artist, depicts in her eye-catching felt sculptures. We can’t help but be reminded of Jen Stark’s paper sculptures profiled here, when we see Cavagnaro’s brightly colored and lush layered felt. In addition to these colorful wall hangings, Cavagnaro creates large-scale environmental art displayed throughout Argentina. Pattern Pulp recently had the pleasure of meeting Cavagnaro in her charming studio where she allows her free spirit to guide her to new artistic discoveries. Check out our inspiring Q&A with Cavagnaro and discover how taking new paths led this artist to unexpected places.
Amy Soczka
It’s always a pleasure to jump beyond the coastal design scene to inspect what’s going on in the midwest. While casually scrolling through design*sponge’s highlights a few months back, I nearly flipped when I stumbled upon Amy Soczka’s paper cut out displays for Urban Outfitters. Paper has become a popular retail material as of late, as it’s affordability and versatility is incomparable. Soczka’s creations tap this trend while setting new creative standards. Her intricate handwork and artistic eye crosses multiple mediums and platforms, ranging from printed greeting cards and homegoods to commercial collaborative ventures. Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into Amy’s daily routine.
Geoff McFetridge
Geoff McFetridge is a true design pioneer, not to mention a wicked multi-tasker. “He is part of a new generation of designers who are eager to leap the old divides between image and product, design and art, the flat page and the moving image,” says Paul Thompson, director of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. Patten Pulp caught up with McFetridge to talk about his design process, as well as Pottok, the wallpaper company that he founded with his wife Sarah. Pottock marries McFetridge’s unique pattern skills with environmentally-friendly papers and water-based inks. The abstract and breathtaking results have papered walls from The Montalban Theater in Hollywood to the well-known Colette boutique in Paris. Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into the mind of this skateboarding wunderkind.
Julia Rothman
Julia Rothman is one of the most talented and original pattern designers in today’s marketplace. I had the pleasure of catching up with her at “Design by the Book,” a collaborative event hosted by The New York Public Library and Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge. Rothman has a the ability to beautify ordinary objects, using her unique style of illustration and layout to create whimsical repeats. Her work has been featured in countless publications and dons home goods of every variety. Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into her daily routine.