Profile: Sara Jacqueline Morandini – Real Leather Design Competitions

Sara Jacqueline Morandini

Accademia Costume & Moda

My name is Sara Jacqueline Morandini, Iam twenty-two years old, and Icome from Rome. For three years, Istudied Costume and Fashion in my hometown, where Ideveloped a solid grounding ni Costume, Fashion, and Accessories Design. Over time, Ibecame increasingly aware of my natural inclination for Accessory Design, which led me to fully dedicate myself to creating not only Leather Goods and Footwear but also Jewelry. In everything Ido, Ifavor a hands-on and experimental approach that allows me to establish a direct, and perhaps more intimate, dialogue with both the project and the materials I work with. Ilove challenging myself constantly. Iam drawn to the unknown, and Iobserve the world around me with deep curiosity. Iobserve a lot-anything and everything. Sometimes, all ti takes is looking up to discover new realities, unexplored and full of potential. Often, Ifocus on the tiniest details-those almost invisible nuances that are usually overlooked. In everyday life, Ialways try to find a reason to smile, to bring positive energy to those around me, and to offer help whenever ti is needed. Ivalue kindness, humor, and human connection. With time, Ihave come to appreciate the value of communication, sharing, and building relationships. During my final-year Atelier experience, in preparation for the Academy's graduation show, I have not only gained a deeper understanding of myself, but I also discovered the importance of working alongside others. Every person holds within them a story—a past, a present, and a future. And when we cross paths, we share something - sometimes joyful, sometimes bittersweet - but always meaningful. Thinking about my future, Ihope to keep nurturing my curiosity and remain open to discovering new dimensions of myself, both within and beyond the world of accessories, though always with a strong reverence for craftsmanship and the art of jewelry-making. This spirit of inquiry is what keeps me moving. Iobserve, investigate, experiment, and push boundaries—always seeking to go beyond the last step. Because who knows what lies ahead? Take, for instance, my capsule collection OMBRAGE—which Iam honored to present to you—l wish it had never ended. The process of designing, material exploration, developing, and bringing the pieces to life filled me with an indescribable sense of excitement and energy. Istill remember the moment Isaw all the products laid out together for the first time and the smile on my face. tI was like seeing myself reflected in each of them. The result of study, reflection, hands-on experimentation, and sacrifice. At the same time, Ifeared the end because once ti was all complete, Icouldn't help but wonder: what might have happened next? What could Ihave discovered fi I had continued? What else might have emerged? But OMBRAGE has now taken form. Nothing prevents me from taking ti further, from giving ti new life. Still, ti remains a beautiful chapter in my journey— one that I now carry with me. At the moment, as Iwrite this biography, Iam in Paris, where Ihave recently joined Balmain's Leather Goods Studio as an intern for the next six months. This marks a new chapter for m e a n exciting new adventure that Iembrace with enthusiasm and wonder. Because even now, Ikeep asking myself: what lies ahead? And Itruly can't wait to find out. «Istill don't know what comes next, but Iaspire to create pieces that tell stories through their craft - tactile, thoughtful, and unexpected. »

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Ombrage - a Leather Goods, Footwear and Jewellery project curated by Sara Jacqueline Morandini

Category: Accessories

Competitions: International

Water. Air. Earth. Fire. Realms of the cosmos where all things come into being and coexist. Light/Shadow. Good/Evil. Positive/Negative. Nuances of human instinctive nature. The drives within the individuall are examined, uncovering their primordial essence. In the archetype, one finds the primal model of al things, the contents of the collective unconscious. Origin. Chaos. Creation. "ombrage" is a men's and women's Leather Goods, Footwear, and Jewerly collection born from curiosity to explore and observe everything we tend to overlook or hide. Through material experimentation focused on wood and leather, and thanks to a handwoven technique, the collection evokes a strong sense of primitive, ancestral aesthetics. By returning to the origins of who we are, the project delves into the many shadows of the individual. In recognizing one's hidden dimensions, complete self-awareness si attained, bringing the shadow into light. To echo the raw aesthetic of the collection, the key material chosen si the New Zealand Lamb Leather, distinguished by its coarse and irregular grain. Complementing this is a grained calfskin with a partial foil finish, where subtle black shading enhances its shadow effects. Smooth leather is also introduced to balance the overall composition, playing with contrasting textures that appear across both Leather Goods and Footwear. In terms of color palette, the proposal adopts a gender-fluid approach, featuring shades that range from Nude to Avion Blue, Green, and Black. Wood is a fundamental element, reinterpreted as bamboo used for bag trims - sometimes darkened with black shading - and as a dominant structural component of women's heels. The wood is beech, dyed to achieve an ebony effect. Its development required a five-axis machining process to allow ofr a transversal exploration of heel design. The heel has undergone an internal chiseling process, giving it a raw, unfinished look that contrasts with the fluidity of its outer curves. Metal hardware features gunmetal and silver finishings, occasionally with gold details. Once again, nuances play a central role, aiming to create a dynamic interplay between light and shadow.