Maria Sole Ferragamo has the Italian energy of entrepreneurs who would move mountains.
Mixed with disarming sweetness and charm.
This lovely young thirty-year-old - long brown mane, light blue eyes and Roman medal profile - was born in Florence, her family's stronghold (she is the granddaughter of Salvatore Ferragamo, one of the princes of Tuscan footwear).
After studying architecture in Milan, then a master's degree in design and jewelry at Central Saint Martins in London, she returned to live in the Italian capital to set up her brand and do her favorite child's game - making rings or necklaces with whatever came to hand- a professional project.
“
I started making jewelry when I was 9 years old, and I never stopped
,” says Maria Sole Ferragamo.
As for leather, I always grew up with this material around me, I was raised to love it in a way
.”
So-Le Studio ultimately proves to be the synthesis of everything that makes the young woman tick.
In addition to leather and jewelry (both modern and antique), she admires daring architects - Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry in the lead - who inspire her to design voluminous pieces.
If her breastplates or her earrings do not go unnoticed, they are not immediately obvious.
You have to get closer to understand what material they are made from.
“
Transformation and illusion, lightness and longevity, are notions that guide me in my creations
,” explains the woman who based her brand on the recycling of scrap leather and brass shavings.
I source my supplies from factories in Tuscany, mainly those of Ferragamo, but not exclusively.”
Not a Knot (left)
and Minialie
earrings .
So-Le Studio
When she started thinking about her concept about five years ago, some people around her dissuaded her from betting everything on leather, fearing that it would not be commercial enough, not attractive enough.
“
On the contrary, I was convinced of the potential of this material but to respond to these reluctances, I chose metallic, iridescent (and laser-cut) leathers to maintain a preciousness and shine
.”
Her earrings have a crazy look, like the Not a Knot (leather ribbons forming a knot) or the Revolve (laser-cut leather hoop earrings).
This design and this volume would be unthinkable in metal, and in this case weigh less than 5 grams (sold from €225).
Everything is manufactured in the Florence region, but the headquarters of the brand launched in 2020 have been set up in Milan where four people work with it.
It opened a So-Le Studio flagship in December 2022. For the first time in its (short) history, the brand is moving to Paris for a pop-up at Bon Marché until April 21.
Invited by the department store, this young mother of two children - including a one-month-old baby - installed her modular and reusable structure designed by two young Milanese architects in the center of the new jewelry space.
It's worth the detour.