Gabriel Corto Moltedo is the visionary behind the eponymous luxury brand, Corto Moltedo. Growing up amidst the elegance and innovation of the Bottega Veneta legacy, Corto was steeped in high fashion from a young age, which profoundly influenced his design ethos.
In 2004, he launched Corto Moltedo with a bold ambition to merge cutting-edge creativity with timeless luxury. His creations, known for their striking originality, intricate craftsmanship, and premium materials, draw inspiration from his global travels and passion for contemporary art.
The Corto Moltedo x Lucy Folk collaboration exemplifies this commitment, blending a shared love for travel and artisanal expertise to create unique products that celebrate art and design. Here, we step into the world of Corto Moltedo, where innovation and tradition blend to create exceptional artistry and functionality.
Gabriel, growing up in the Bottega Veneta family must have been quite the start. How did this early immersion in high fashion shape your design journey?
I have to say that sometimes I take it for granted, sometimes I wonder if this is what I was meant to do, and in the end I always come to the conclusion that I am extremely lucky and thankful for the opportunities I have been given and try not to waste them. The immersion was fundamental in making me decide to follow my family's footsteps and carry on the tradition.
What are some of the most profound lessons or inspirations your parents have imparted to you?
My parents did not teach by lesson, they taught me by example. I just follow their footsteps, hoping to avoid the mistakes they may have made along the way and carving my own path while doing it. It is a tremendous knowledge base in the field, a field that really has not changed too much in the last decades.
When you launched Corto Moltedo in 2004, what was the core idea behind the brand, and how has that vision evolved over time?
The core idea is still the same, I wanted to develop my brand CORTO MOLTEDO into something for my generation, for those who are looking to create their own family tradition whilst touching on pop references that are at this time ours, and leave something for our next generation.
I was tired of the GG and CC and all the LV. And thought and believed we needed something more personable. A story of our own so I made the C Star, Corto the brand,the consumer the Star holding it. Those are the bases I wanted to touch on. Always continuing the tradition of the craft, and the quality, but through different eyes and a different voice.
Your creations are renowned for their bold and geometric designs and attention to detail. Can you share what sparks your inspiration and how it manifests in your designs?
I really get inspired by references I see in daily life, and books, photos, geometry. There is so much to take inspiration from these days it’s getting harder to focus! So much good stuff out there, but also harder to be more original.
Is there a book, object, or piece of art you’ve encountered recently that
has particularly inspired you?
I’ve been inspired by an old pair of Greek sandals, their worn out leather that has been immersed in the sea on numerous walks in and around the island of Rhodes
I also am totally inspired by the work of an extremely talented artist called Jacqueline Surdell. I love her use of everyday materials and the knotting
she does to create wall hanging pieces, her work gets me
extremely excited about what I do.
You’ve mentioned that you start with the material and work backwards.
Can you walk us through the craftsmanship process once you’ve chosen your materials?
The process requires the team. Once the material is chosen depending on if it's leather, I will work with the pattern maker to decide the way the leather should be cut, and the support materials that get used. The pattern maker then makes the first maquette, usually in cardboard or a non leather to just see if the proportions are correct, we then make necessary modifications, then these get put into the CAD program and we make a first prototype with the atelier Master assembler sample maker, in a similar leather to the one that we want to use so we see
how it stands.
At this point we revise the pattern again with small or big modifications and we come up with a first sample. This one takes much more time to make as it has to be close to the final product and we want it to be as perfect. If the sample is a success we are in a good position to make considerations , if not we go back to making modifications. And redo the final sample. Once it's all proper and done we baptize the creation with a name and voila the process is finished.
How would you define craftsmanship?
A labor of love where construction and passion meets dedication. Where repetition gives a rhythm but also gives satisfaction. Craftsmanship is where creators and design meet’s reality.
Can you tell us more about the Corto Moltedo x Lucy Folk partnership? What makes this collaboration so special and distinctive?
I think the specialty of the collaboration takes hold when our minds and paths crossed, the two visions merged and we came out with an awesome creation. Lucy is a force of nature, with a definitive idea, and I was able to develop her idea into reality. We appreciate each other's talents and have great conversations. So it’s such a pleasure to meet and create!
What makes a product meaningful to you?
I was speaking to my sister the other day and she is a big time Vegan we always have great conversations and this question was answered in the fact that we need to give importance to what we do, and especially if we are using a skin we must honour the animal that we are using, as they have given up their life and we must make the product perfect, the transformation must be meaningful, we cannot waste, we cannot make mistakes off the literal back of another being. So we must make it meaningful, put concentration behind the process, and make sure we get it right.
What is your morning ritual or a ritual you do that keeps you inspired?
At the moment just playing with my boys keeps me happy and inspired, reconnecting with my inner child, playing with their cars… ah the little joys in life.
Reflecting on your journey from the inception of Corto Moltedo to where you are now, what advice would you give to emerging designers aiming to build their own luxury brands?
Luxury brands are not an overnight story, one has to keep going at it. I have been doing it for a while but still think I'm at the beginning of my journey. If you have passion and you know your calling, you will be able to achieve your idea. It will take time. Enjoy the ride.
