Damaris Vrandecic has a distaste for words such as “handmade”, “avant-garde”, “nostalgic”, and “artisanal” in describing her work, as she finds they have become overused and redundant, losing their true meaning. Instead she prefers to focus on her unique process and materials. Her shoes, bags and jewelry are produced after a fastidious search for the finest elements. The leathers, semi-precious stones and organic material such as bone, natural pearls and sea shells are then treated in a most unorthodox fashion, even before the manufacturing process begins. Leather is washed, boiled, wrinkled and hung to dry, then manipulated to create unique textures. Organic matter is combined with precious materials such as gold, oxidised brass and silver. And finally, the process of production is ready to begin.
A handful of talented craftsmen then assemble the pieces by hand, each one a unique item or part of a limited edition. Damaris believes that this balance of production and creation is what makes her pieces so unique.
Once the pieces are assembled, the construction is very polished. Footwear may be completely patched and wrinkled on the top, suggesting it´s been through tragedy, but the construction is immaculate – with a shiny smooth black leather sole, impeccable toe and heel reinforcements, and perfect function.
The synthesis of materials and composition, “weaving time and texture, the precious and the coarse made to sing.”
Her new collection will be available to view in Paris this September.
Damaris Vrandecic was born in Chile. She later moved to Spain and Paris to study and work.
She completed her university degree with Laude honours in history and literature, and went on to graduate school in Madrid to study literature theory through NYU and Middlebury College. Incorporating her knowledge in the creation of the label MUNOZ VRANDECIC, the collections were sold to some of the most prestigious stores across the globe. She has collaborated with different artists , photographers and filmmakers in order to expand the settings in which her work can be seen, her collaborations with Some/Things magazine being particularly successful. Commission work by Damaris has been exhibited at ArtBasel and Art Brussels.
After deciding to leave the joint label and become truly independent she is now based in Menorca, a Mediterranean island with a strong tradition of shoemaking. Her new collection of extraordinary accessories (Bags, Footwear and Jewelry), INSCRIRE, is produced entirely on the island, using very special materials in collaboration with local craftsmen.