Dasein
A SPECIAL JOURNEY WITH LEANDRO CANO
Newborns always look at the world with curious eyes, fantasising about infinite possibilities. We dream, we pursue, we doubt, we fall into disbelief and regain our faith again, like this, over and over.
What is the biggest confusion of being an adult? In an instant, gains and losses become interchangeable, and nothing else matters in the world. Are we too fragile and sensitive? What is holding us back from taking a step forward? Where are we going? What will we sacrifice? And what will we achieve? Questions arise, one after another, like waves following waves.
Shall we call this “growth”? In a materialized world, what is entitled as “progress” becomes a firm barrier on our way to arriving at a true utopia. How many times have you comforted yourself by accepting things as they are? How many times have you decided not to listen to your heart, only to finally realize: this is nothing like what I wanted?
If you have, congratulations—you have become the true self. The journey of growing up is also the journey of looking back, the journey of encountering the essence of yourself.
WHAT DO WE SEE ABOUT LEANDRO CANO?
The tour back to the origins is not just a nostalgic homage towards the ever first beginning of the brand nor a mere dissection of his odyssey. Instead, is a journey quest to return to the essence where the intuition calls, where the authenticity and purity whisper, where the value lies as its fate so called ¨Dasein¨.
Interviewing
Leandro Cano
EST8: Congratulations on your latest achievement in the first Spanish Fashion Adward (los Premios de la Moda de España), award for Sustainability, Innovation and High Craftsmanship applied to fashion. Over the past few years of your career, you have achieved a lot, such as Who’s On Next of Vogue, the Designer of Tomorrow award of Berlin. How do you feel when receiving all the honors, applause and recognition?
Leandro: Thank you very much. The first thing I feel is gratitude. I am the visible face of these awards, but I have the great fortune to work with an incredible team of professionals and craftsmen, who help me to realize everything that is in my mind. Besides, it is an honor that my work is recognized, nationally and internationally.
EST8: Among your various collections, you have incorporated a variety of artisan techniques such as embroidery, ceramics, crochet, and macramé. Would you describe your brand as a Spanish Traditional Artisan Brand? How do you find a balance between preserving traditional craftsmanship and innovating in design?
Leandro: The main mission of my brand is to recover craft techniques, now in disuse and try to train new generations in the professionalization of craftsmanship. To achieve the balance between avant-garde and tradition, is achieved through dialogue with the artisans, in which I show them what I have in my head, the design, and through their hands we get to reach the result I want.
EST8: Making the sudden decision to switch from photography to fashion design took a lot of courage and determination. What's the impetus and confidence behind that? Have you ever wondered: ¨ What if it doesn't work?¨
Leandro: Well, these are decisions you have to make in life...you never know if they will turn out well or not. As I was growing up I knew that my way of expressing myself was more towards doing it through artistic expressions. At first I was curious about photography and graphic design, but little by little I saw that fashion was the most complete way to express myself. In any case, knowledge in photography has been vital for the creation of my brand.
EST8: You mentioned to us before that the brand is your journey back to the origins. Over the years, a lot of things have definitely changed. What are the core things that stand still, and make you feel that you are still in tune with who you were 10 years ago?
Leandro: Definitely the love for craftsmanship, being in contact with artists, and that I have the same restlessness for 10 years to transmit my vision of the world through fashion.
EST8: Speaking of the future, how is your view? What will be your journey towards? Or do you have the vision to turn the brand into a Haute-Couture Fashion House?
Leandro: I would not know. At the moment I'm very happy working for my brand, and being able to develop my work in different areas beyond fashion, such as theater costumes and advertising. Whatever I do, I will always continue with my brand. We are going slowly but surely. Of course I dream of working for some Haute-Couture house, but always in parallel to my own.
CREDITS
CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHY: Miquel Cabello
ASSISTANTS: Marko Barrier, Juan Borgognoni
ART DIRECTION: Alba Serra
STYLIST: Maria Zemborain
MAKE UP: Lucas Margarit
HAIR: Maria Limón
STARRING: Li From Uno Models, Julieta From Sight Management
PR: Blanco de La Osa
CONTENT CREATIVE: EST8 Mag
ASSISTANTS: Marko Barrier, Juan Borgognoni
ART DIRECTION: Alba Serra
STYLIST: Maria Zemborain
MAKE UP: Lucas Margarit
HAIR: Maria Limón
STARRING: Li From Uno Models, Julieta From Sight Management
PR: Blanco de La Osa
CONTENT CREATIVE: EST8 Mag
Special thanks to Leandro Cano