Living Traces

Category: Accessories

Living Traces is an accessories collection inspired by Villa Santo Sospir, a villa brought to life through the surreal mural drawings of Jean Cocteau. The project responds to how fast fashion and trend culture have weakened people’s emotional connection to their belongings. Today, accessories are often treated as temporary items chosen only for aesthetics or social media trends, causing objects to lose meaning and personal value. Living Traces challenges this behavior by creating accessories that grow alongside their owners and preserve memories through time. The most important material in this project is vegetable-tanned leather, chosen for both its visual and emotional qualities. Its soft matte finish resembles the textured walls of Villa Santo Sospir, directly connecting the accessories to the atmosphere of the villa. Unlike synthetic materials, vegetable-tanned leather naturally changes through sunlight, scratches, and touch, allowing the products to physically record the owner’s “living traces.” This aging process makes every piece unique and strengthens the emotional bond between the object and its owner. The design language is inspired by the way Cocteau drew human figures directly onto the villa walls, making the architecture feel alive and intimate. Referencing this idea, body parts such as eyes, ears, and facial line drawings are integrated into different areas of the shoes and bags. These surreal details give the accessories a soulful and human-like presence. Techniques including engraving, leather molding, appliqué, and wire shaping were used to create sculptural forms and expressive textures. Together, these handcrafted processes reinforce the concept of emotional durability and encourage slower, more meaningful consumption in contrast to fast fashion culture.