From Sculpture to Fashion: A Desire to Create Something Useful for People
- Could you tell us about your background as the founder of the brand, Miguel Munoz Wilson?
-
Miguel Munoz Wilson (Hereafter, M)
I was born in the city of Santiago, Chile. At the age of 19, I traveled to Spain with the aim of continuing my art studies. Since I was a kid I was fascinated by painting, and I took my oil paintings wherever I went. I enrolled in the University of Fine Arts in Madrid, and finally decided to specialize in sculpture. It was upon discovering black marble as a material, that captivated me towards sculpture, as well as admiring the great ones like Noguchi and Oteiza.
-
- After graduating, you worked as a sculptor until 1992. How did your path shift toward fashion?
-
M
Sculpture was my initial starting point as an artist. At that time, I asked myself how I could give my sculptures a utility – I mean, how could I make them useful as opposed to a mere contemplative display of aesthetics and techniques. Hence, I found the answer in my fashion pieces, designing shoes and accessories, free-standing objects in their own right. It wasn’t deliberate, but I suppose I must have gravitated towards them for that reason.
-
- In 2003, you presented your first collection, incorporating sculptural techniques that are central to your identity, and in 2004, you founded your company. Could you share your brand concept, your approach to craftsmanship, and what inspires your designs?
-
M
Our key word is make, as opposed to just design. A bridge between art and fashion, a past and a future. Materials are all naturally sourced and ecologically sustainable. I can say Mv is essentially a couture collection of shoes and accessories. Each piece is hand crafted completely from scratch, from the design on the selected last , the pattern making, the treatments on vegetable leathers, the natural dyeing, even the metals and woods are manually sculpted, and at last, but not least, everything is handled with love and sensibility in our own atelier studio in the beautiful Barcelona.
In 2009, Sol Caramilloni, who is also my life partner, joined the Mv design team. She came from Visual Arts (set design on feature films), so immediately we got along well, and she gave to Mv creative and design input.Our inspirational process as a creative couple is found in our everyday work, in our laboratory–atelier, where coincidences become surprises.
-
22 Years Since the Brand's Establishment: Expertise and Brand Ethos Refined Over Time
- Over 20 years have passed since your first collection in 2003. Have you observed any changes in your creative process or approach to craftsmanship during this time?
-
Sol Caramilloni (Hereafter, S)
One could say, that we are designers as well as makers, so we are constantly re-inventing and re-interpreting design and its construction. By now, we have more than 50 collections exhibited and sold in our Paris showroom, so we are trained to many different kinds of adjustments, season after season.
Regarding our craftsmanship, It’s a long, spiritual process. Long hours of work mastering our craft. I think this is something you really have to love in order to make it happen.
-
- Customers who have purchased your shoes often share interesting feedback. Many have noted that, despite being a Spanish brand, the fit—especially the width and instep height—feels perfect for Japanese feet. Was this something you intentionally considered? Others have commented on how remarkably lightweight your heeled shoes are, even without internal reinforcements. Despite this, they maintain both structure and beauty, which feels unique to munoz vrandecic. Could you share any insights into your approach to construction and design?
-
S
It’s nice to hear this feedback, because we care a lot for these details. We always consider anthropology and sociology as well as design and construction, in order to make our designs well rounded. Its a very important part of the design process. As we work on seasonal collections, I think this is the reason why Mv is pushed to constant creative innovation. Each collection is like a little poem.
-
- Coincidentally, 2003, the year your brand launched its first collection, also marks the beginning of ARTS&SCIENCE. At A&S, we began carrying munoz vrandecic collections as early as 2004–2005. Do you recall your first encounter with A&S?
-
M
Yes, it was great to to have the possibility to introduce Sonya and Arts & Science our collections back at that time. I remember I was excited with her vision, and her unique project, so I thought it was a wonderful match for the brand. We are always grateful for her support on the Mv collection.
-
- Finally, could you share a message with your fans in Japan?
-
M & S
Send you all a lot of Love from Barcelona.
-
※ Click to enlarge
At A&S Aoyama, Kyoto, and Fukuoka, we are delighted to present the latest collection of women’s bags and shoes. At &SHOP Aoyama, the spotlight is on shoes. We invite you to visit and explore the craftsmanship and unique vision of munoz vrandecic.
- BRAND
munoz vrandecic
- STORES
Some photos provided by munoz vrandecic
