We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Ambra Castello ("AC").
Ambra Castello is the Founder and Creative Director, of the AMBRA CASTELLO brand, from which it takes its name. Born in Turin in 1993, she studied at the Euromediterranea Academy of Catania. In January 2017 she obtained her four-year degree in Fashion Design there. In June 2016 in Milan, during the Milan Moda Graduate event, she launched her first collection called A. C. A., with whom she tooks part, in July of the same year, in the "MADEINMEDI" fashion show in Catania. Selected to participate in various competitions and events, on 15 April 2017 she won the international A 'Design Award competition in the Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design category. She spent 2 years in Oxford, United Kingdom, where through various work and life experiences, she grew more and more willing to express herself in the way she do best: CREATING! She decides to return to Italy, to her beloved land, and to found her brand. AMBRA CASTELLO brand was born the 3rd August 2019
Ambra Castello Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Ambra Castello.
Designer Interview of Ambra Castello:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
AC : Since I was a child I have always wanted to work in the fashion world. I studied for four years at the "Accademia Euromediterranea" of Catania and I have successfully gained the diploma in Fashion Design. During the academic studies I understood that I love to design collection and I am attracted by experimentation. I took part in various competitions and events. One of the most important was in June 2016 when I have been selected to participate to “ Milano Moda Graduate”. In this event I launched my first collection called “A.C.A. - Attention Crochet Annoying". In July, with the same collection, I also took part in the fashion show "Madeinmedi 2016", obtaining excellent comments and positive reviews. After these events, I did different collaborations with stylists and photographers on shoot, editorials and advertising campaigns. I am at the beginning of my career. I still have a lot to learn but I know my personal strengths: seriousness, determination and passion for what I do. The attention to detail has always distinguished me.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AC : For me “design” is the art by which I can express myself and the needs of customers. It allows me to use my creativity. I love to amaze client by my creations. When I achieve this goal I achieve success.
DI: What is "design" for you?
AC : My most favorite design is A.C.A. “Attention Crochet Annoying” collection. It is the starting point. A.C.A. is an experimental collection to describe me. It isn’t simple to talk about yourself but through A.C.A collection I proved my determination and tenacity, my potentiality and courage. In this collection I used new yarns; one of this is plumber's tape “Teflon” with which I made Cocodd wedding dress. I am still working to carry the project forward.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AC : The mains aspects that I’m focus on are the attention of the details of my dress and about giving/sending messages from my creations. I think both are very important as a designer could stand out from the others thanks to these aspects.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AC : Indescribable! A strong emotion and satisfaction. My creations are as my children.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AC : The designers have a big chance; they could say a story, a condition, and a thought. The designers can give an important message with their work. All of this has more value if the designers give their contribution to help our environment.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AC : The design inspiration of my works comes from what surrounds me and inside me. Surely, if I live in a stimulating city with stimulating persons I will have more inspirations. But there isn’t a place or a source of my inspirations. Everything could be sources of inspirations. The important thing is to observe all around you.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
AC : I can to describe my design style as minimal and avant-garde. The attention to detail is more important, it is fundamental in my creations. The main characteristic of my style is personalization of fabrics, for example: print of my graphics, new materials, mix of fabrics. I like to convey through varied means, and fabric is the most important part of dress. My approach to design is a 360-degree. I like to curate any aspect of my creations.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
AC : Usually, my design process starts by choosing one or more themes and messages that I want to convey. Then I create moodboard from which I draw inspiration to realize my collection. But there aren’t well-defined rules for my collections. Each collection comes from this design process. A clear design process is good but creativity cannot have rules. I think that customizable design is the basis of this job. At the same time I find very stimulating when I have a specific request or guideline because I think that a good designer has to find the right solution for any request.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
AC : I am very organized. I have excellent organizational skills. It is my mania. I organize keeping the to-do-list. I think it is very important to arrange everything at best because I can do more things in the same time. When events are connected sequentially and in short time, I have the ability to prioritize tasks and to organize effectively my time. I structure my workload and I don’t forget anything.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AC : I would like to work for a brand as designer. I am looking for a job that will allow me to exploit the skills acquired thanks to my study, collaborating with important brands and participating in fashion events and competitions. And at the same time, I am looking for a brand in which I can continue to learn and to gain experience. I would like to find the right persons to continue my yarns project and to go forward with other experiments.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AC : I have collaborated with other person on shoot, editorials and advertising campaigns. In this moment I am working alone for my collections. I believe in co-design, but it is very important to find right partner.
DI: How can people contact you?
AC : People can contact me by email on ambra@ambracastello.com or by my website www.ambracastello.com in the contact section. You can have a look at my profile on NotJustAnLabel.com in the Black Sheep section, and you can also get in touch with me through the website.