Inspired by the earth, various art mediums and her love of travelling, designer Vanda Jacintho creates versatile resort wear and statement jewellery. Here she shares how her Brazilian heritage shaped her career.
18 October, 2017
Inspired by the earth, various art mediums and her love of travelling, designer Vanda Jacintho creates versatile resort wear and statement jewellery. The once fashion editor and stylist translates Brazilian landscapes and wildlife into bold, sleek prints with skilful interpretations resulting in chic looks and clean cuts. The collection is a modern woman's dream, full of multipurpose items able to be worn in many ways.
While her clothing line came first, the jewellery is equally remarkable. Chunky chain necklaces, resin cuffs and beaded fringe earrings are just a few favourites in the quirky collection. By incorporating wood, a tortoiseshell pattern and floral shapes into her designs, Vanda clearly aligns her inspiration with nature once again. While both the ready-to-wear and jewellery line sit within the resort category, we're definitely sneaking pieces into our everyday wear.
Vanda Jacintho
Vanda Jacintho
Pantanal, Brazil
São Paulo and London.
Resort wear and accessories.
Moda Operandi, Barneys and Matches Fashion from November
Polished with a wild attitude. A globetrotter who travels light and looks for easy pieces to be worn day and night.
The silk comes from Italy, the wood is imbuia wood from the forest in Brazil and the resin comes from Brazil.
I grew up in Brazil's countryside in a place called Pantanal. It's an untamed landscape full of animals and wetland.
I lived in London for six years while at university and spent time in Saigon as well as Shanghai for work. When travelling on business, I like to immerse myself in different cultures and spend as much time as possible in each place. This allows me to link my work process to that of the locals. For example, in Vietnam I worked with a printing factory to produce bikinis. During this process, I enriched my knowledge of prints, colours, silk and crafts.
After a career in styling I decided to study resin and metal accessories design in London. In search of a new challenge, I returned to Brazil to launch my brand, which somehow happened very naturally. I chose Brazil as the starting point for Vanda Jacintho because we have ten months of summer, which allows resort wear to flourish more than anywhere in the world.
My designs are inspired by sensuality, purity, madness and genderless culture. Sometimes I put on classical music, close my eyes and imagine the outfit I would dance to the music in.
My inspiration changes according to my travels, the books I read, interesting exhibitions I visit and anything that encourages creative thinking.
Versatility is freedom - nowadays everyone has such hectic and busy schedules, which can make us forget about the small things that matter. I enjoy changing my look throughout the day according to my mood. For example, during my days as a fashion editor I would wear trousers as sleeves and turn two scarves into a beautiful cape.
The brand reflects me and my needs, but also my environment and the people around me. Before Vanda Jacintho, I created beach wear for years and when I stopped I only continued to design silk sarongs for myself and my friends. It turned out there was a gap in the market for luxury beach wear and this is partly what inspired me to launch my namesake brand and continue with resort-wear.
Self-expression.
In my opinion, fashion has a tremendous effect on how you see and experience the world around you.
Growing up in the countryside I was surrounded by nature, textures and animals, so my printed work today reflects what I experienced at the time. Prints, colour combinations and unique textures are at the core of my design process.
Besides my love of travel and exploration, I identified a gap in the market for luxury resort wear that is a bit dressier, pieces that can be worn not only at the beach but also at an evening event. Most brands that do resort wear use cotton, which can be seen as more casual.
If I could, I would travel 365 days a year non-stop. I love the feeling of freedom and exploration.
They complement each other; they are full of contradictions which makes them work well together.
The people and places.
Working with ONGs that give opportunities to people who don't always have them. For example, our beads are embroidered by Orienta Vida ONG, an organisation which helps give women more opportunities.
