Maria Laura Lucchetti - Lalla's

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Maria Laura Lucchetti - Lalla's ("MLL-L") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

MLL-L : My background is in Fashion. Once graduated from University in Florence I immediately started to work for Prada, that's where my passion for the product creation came out and is still going.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

MLL-L : I don't see myself as a designer in the classic way it is intended. I am a non-stop creative mind that expresses herself in different ways. It's an inside need that I have that makes me create my design jewelries.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

MLL-L : It just happened , no one forced me, I guess I just followed the flow.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

MLL-L : Cant tell, right now I enjoy designing and creating my Jewelry Collections 100% made in Italy.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

MLL-L : Legends are legends and I believe in real life. Having said that , well, they surely have to observe the world they live in.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

MLL-L : Great designers not only design they sell their designs, they make a living out of their passion.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

MLL-L : It's a good design when it's original and functional.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

MLL-L : Good design is necessary for a better world to live in.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

MLL-L : Sometimes it's more a question of money then time, I would like do design many new pieces but designing for me means creating a finished product and this means investing money.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

MLL-L : Having Lalla's corners in the right places around the world, such as St Tropez, Lisbon, London, Berlin, Barcelona, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Manhattan. The very next step will be Milan anyway. We are actually looking at some concept stores that could be the right ones for my creations.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

MLL-L : Well this award is certainly a way to success but I never create thinking about success. So I can't say what's the ingredient, never give up, determination and a bit of luck too maybe.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

MLL-L : I don't look at other designers to get inspired from, I live my life, read as much as I can and love design in general.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

MLL-L : Le Corbusier chairs, I just think they are absolutely a master piece of design.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

MLL-L : The one I haven't yet finished.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

MLL-L : Do a lot of research of materials, study the past, observe the present.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

MLL-L : I imagine something that made me use my fantasy and creativity .

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

MLL-L : It's putting an idea into reality.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

MLL-L : My husband, an interior designer architect himself, whenever I fell he picked me up . And believe me choosing to leave the certain for the uncertain has its down sides.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MLL-L : Determination and a bit of madness.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

MLL-L : The obstacles are everywhere. If one decides to run alone like me, designing your own brand, the main obstacle could be money. Designing for myself, for my own brand is a big economic challenge and one needs not only to be a designer but a good entrepreneur also. My Design Jewels are something that don't exist in the market , this is risky and at the same time challenging. Now thanks to this important award I believe that distributors and concept stores will pay attention to Lalla's emerging brand a little more.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

MLL-L : With determination, staying humble but at the same time sure of their work. There is a lot of competition out there, emerging with your own work is the most difficult thing to do.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

MLL-L : More and more No-Gender Design jewelry made in Tuscany.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

MLL-L : You should ask them I am afraid.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

MLL-L : The evolution of my Pianeti necklace.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

MLL-L : Less use of plastic please.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

MLL-L : Depends on what I need to proceed...I not only have the idea, I bring it to life.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

MLL-L : Sometimes from the materials other times from the shapes.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MLL-L : Be you be true

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

MLL-L : Trends are made out of design

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

MLL-L : It helps in some cases.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

MLL-L : No software, I use my hands.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

MLL-L : Difficult to say.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

MLL-L : Through experience on product development.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

MLL-L : Micol Fontana

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

MLL-L : Am I famous ? will handle it I guess but I rather be in my Lab and create.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

MLL-L : Lilac, my garden, my mother's lasagna, spring, my bed and Norvegian Rain

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

MLL-L : Some time ago I couldn't find an earing , just one long earing to wear on one side . I had it in my mind but no one sold it, so I created my own and now it's part of the collection since three years ago. Nowadays mono-earings have become a trend in fashion. I'm a visionary they say.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

MLL-L : Not always easy to motivate myself...but a great day is definitely when I go back to sleep after having created what I have had in mind for days...or months.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

MLL-L : I don't consider myself a great designer, maybe a good one. As a child I have always had lots of fantasy but no one really noticed it.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

MLL-L : Honestly I live now, I believe that we have to think about now and this very minute, making our best keeping the planet a good place to live in.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

MLL-L : I invite every one to come to my Creative Lab in Arezzo, Tuscany , breath slowly, smile. Be you be true and invest in good design.