Profile: Ana Clara Garcia da Silva – Real Leather Design Competitions

Ana Clara Garcia da Silva

Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas

I am a third-year Fashion Design student at the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas in Brazil. My work is grounded in a conceptual, emotional, and contemporary approach, through which I explore the intersections between identity, memory, and territory. I have a particular interest in accessories and jewelry design, focusing on the development of pieces that balance aesthetics and functionality while conveying a strong sense of identity and narrative. Throughout my academic training, I have engaged in material experimentation and the development of projects centered on upcycling, including the creation of garments and accessories from repurposed materials. My experience includes the development of both conceptual and commercial collections, participation in fashion editorials and runway presentations, as well as the creation of a collection in collaboration with the brands Aramis and Sou de Algodão. These experiences have contributed to the consolidation of a design approach that engages critically with the contemporary fashion market while preserving meaning and authorship. I understand sustainability in fashion as intrinsically linked to an awareness of the present context and to the development of design practices aligned with ongoing transformations in the industry, integrating purpose, innovation, and durability.

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Canindé

Category: Accessories

Competitions: Brazil

The visual construction of the piece begins with the observation of the movement of araras-canindé in flight, translating lightness and strength into an organic silhouette that evokes the opening of wings. The shoulder bag is structured to balance presence and fluidity, with an opening system that recalls the gesture of wings flapping, creating an intuitive and symbolic interaction with the user. The surface is composed of overlapping leather cutouts, inspired by the texture of feathers, creating an effect of depth and rhythm. This construction does not seek a literal reproduction, but rather an abstract interpretation that carries the visual memory of the macaws. The variation between more complete and fragmented cutouts suggests the passage of time and the reduction of their presence in the territory. The color palette is inspired by the araras-canindé, with shades of blue and yellow introduced in a subtle way, engaging with Brazilian identity without resorting to direct representations. These elements appear strategically, revealing themselves through details and layers, like a discovery throughout use. The choice of leather as the main material reinforces the idea of permanence, while the use of scraps introduces a logic of reuse and conscious construction. Stitching and fittings are designed to highlight the process and allow maintenance over time, incorporating durability as part of the aesthetic. The result is a piece that moves between the symbolic and the functional, where form, material, and narrative come together to transform memory into object.