bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Divia Harilela

Contributing writer for Style by SCMP, specialising in fashion, beauty and lifestyle


Italian-born designer Alessandro Dell’Acqua first landed on the fashion scene two decades ago. He is founder of his own contemporary label No. 21 and is also creative director of French fashion house Rochas.
Why did you become a fashion designer?
When I was a teenager in Naples, I bought fashion magazines with my savings. I even took part in contests for young designers by Lei magazine, which I won. The publishing house wrote to me and suggested I move to Milan, which I did when I was 18. My first fashion job was at Enrica Massei, one of the most visionary Italian designers at the time. What excites me the most about being a designer is knowing that people enjoy wearing my clothes.
Lace and frills for the fashion romantic: inside the atelier of Bora Aksu
 
You launched your eponymous label in 1996 but lost the rights to your name. You made a comeback with No. 21 in 2010. How was it different the second time round?
It was a moment of my life where I was forced to make a change, so I created a brand that was completely different but without losing my DNA. As creative director, I reinvented my vision to create a clothing line that mixes my experience as a designer with a new approach focusing on the contemporary segment and wearable clothes. The No. 21 DNA is feminine and sexy but with a strong contemporary attitude. I wanted to develop the day wear which is an important part of the collection.
You recently opened your first store in Hong Kong. Why now?
Asia is an important market for us because people are very fashion conscious. They really appreciate quality fabrics and details. We started with a flagship in Tokyo, then five shop-in-shops in South Korea, and now Hong Kong. The Asia market counts for 45 per cent of the business.
The seven things Hong Kong fashion designer Vanessa Tao can’t live without

How do you differentiate between Rochas and your own label?
In terms of resources I work on the two labels with the same team of designers. But I am constantly switching between two different mindset brands every day. The Rochas woman is definitely a more eccentric woman who appreciates the finest and richest fabrics that belong to a couture heritage, but that are worn with an easy attitude. The No. 21 woman is practical, yet seductive. The collection reflects the fact that every woman is unique and individual and celebrates the many forms of femininity today.
What’s your stance on See Now, Buy Now collections? Do you think they are killing creativity in fashion?
It works only for brands with big production companies and carry-overs. For No. 21 it’s not feasible. As long as there is creativity, fashion will always exist.
How has the industry changed since you first started out?
Once upon a time it was all about the perfect show and dream clothes. Today you win only if you sell. Everything is faster: soon after the show you are already working on the next pre-collection. Social media has also changed things. Back then fashion brands only had advertising campaigns and fashion shows as a form of dialogue with fans and potential consumers. Now social media allows anyone to wear your clothes and offers new points of view. Social media is a source of inspiration and a great way to get feedback about my collections.

Where do you get inspiration?
Inspiration is about atmosphere and sensations, real women and their attitude. I seek inspiration from cinema, from the street, from social media, even from fabrics.
What would you advise young designers looking to get into the fashion industry today?
They must be brave, loyal to their own style and consistent. You can’t change with the trends each season.
How do you stay modern and relevant in fashion today?
By being curious.


Why Hong Kong is so important for  Alessandro Dell’Acqua

Alessandro Dell’Acqua.

Models present creations by Italian designer Alessandro Dell'Acqua as part of his Autumn/Winter 2015/2016 women's ready-to-wear collection for fashion house Rochas during Paris Fashion Week March 4, 2015. REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE - Tags: FASHION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Italian designer Alessandro Dell'Acqua appears at the end of his Autumn/Winter 2015/2016 women's ready-to-wear collection show for fashion house Rochas during Paris Fashion Week March 4, 2015. REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE - Tags: FASHION)

Lifestyle

Fashion & Beauty

The Italian designer talks about his inspirations, how the fashion industry has changed and why he’s opened his first store in Hong Kong
