Spotlight is a regular series where we feature a prominent person in the style scene. This month we speak with Charlotta Gandolfo, founder and designer of her eponymous resort wear brand.
Originally from Sweden, Charlotta Gandolfo launched her eponymous womenswear label a little more than a year ago in Shanghai. Bringing a minimalist touch to traditional resort wear, Gandolfo’s dresses are inspired by her upbringing and adventures around the world.
What’s the inspiration behind your brand?
I design for internationally minded women who travel. I decided to create the brand because there wasn’t really anything that caters to us and our needs: versatile clothes that are both elegant and effortless and made with high-quality material.
What is Scandinavian resort wear?
Growing up in Scandinavia, my taste is influenced by the minimalistic aesthetic from the region. This allows me to bring a unique perspective and an understated tone to resort wear, a category dominated by overly ethnic designs and material. With my designs, you can dress up or dress down for different occasions, and they’re versatile enough to transition from beaches to the streets of urban metropolises.
What occasions are your dresses most suitable for?
For us, resort is neither a season nor a place, but a state of mind. With an air of playfulness and ease, my dresses aren’t only for being worn at a specific place – it’s an aesthetic, or a mood. I’ve seen my customers wear them at weddings, nightclubs in Ibiza, swimming pools of resorts, casual dinners with friends, date nights, parties, attending red carpet events and even during their travels to exotic destinations.
How has customer feedback been since you launched your brand last September?
The customers love it. Despite having produced a large quantity, everything sold out quickly and now there is a waiting list for most of the items for the summer collection.
Image by Lili Record, courtesy of Charlotta Gandolfo
What are your top bestselling items at the moment, and why do you think they’re so popular?
One of the most popular is the Slip Dress, which looks simple, but the cut makes every woman look amazing. I have several customers who bought it in every colorway because it’s so easy to wear and very comfortable. Another one is the Biker Jacket, a sequin jacket in pale gold or snakeskin that adapts the brand’s design concept for fall and winter. My customers wear it as an evening jacket with a statement skirt, or with jeans, sneakers and a tee for a chic and casual look.
What’s your personal favorite item from your collection, and what accessories would you pair with it?
I love all items in my collection but an outfit I wear a lot is the Black Jerry Silk Jacket and the Black Silk Harem pants, that I usually pair with black simple pointy flats during the day, and metallic heels and clutch at night. I also wear the Grace Maxi Skirt and the white silk tank top a lot. They’re perfect for hanging out at my country house in the Stockholm archipelago, as well as for attending a Mediterranean wedding. The Flora Sandal in Pink Gold from The Collection goes very well with this fabric.
What’s next for the brand?
This winter, I’m adding gorgeous knitted silk essentials – think cardigans and shrugs – to my collection. I’m also working with a friend, and Italian female artist, to develop the next generation of metallic jacquard pattern as well as a new delicate floral print. In addition, some of the world’s most exclusive resorts are reaching out to me to sell my collection in their shops. There’s a lot to look forward to.
For more Spotlight posts, click here. Find out more about Charlotta Gandolfo here. Cover image by Lili Record.
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