ALCHIVISTA – materia visiva
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LYF MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2024
INTERVIEW Q & A
1) Hi Fabrizio, it's a pleasure to interview you. You have recently opened a space in Bologna with a very particular name: Alchivista, a word that reminds of magical worlds, potions, elixirs, and experiments. Can you tell us why you chose this name and how Alchivista was born?
"Since the very beginning, my vision was to create something different, and got inspired by the ancient utopia that alchemists pursued when seeking the secret to eternal life. Alchivista was born by blending art, design, fashion, and exceptional craftsmanship. It's a place to experiment with shapes, colors, and materials to offer our clients something unique. Our unconventional, extravagant, unique, and eclectic product collection is carefully chosen from independent manufacturers and artisans worldwide. Alchivista, therefore, stands for "Alchimie Visive," and our trend scouts seek out options that can't be easily found elsewhere."
2) You have lived in various parts of the world, and you are certainly a person who moves with great energy and passion but what is your background and where does this passion for beautiful glasses come from?
"The aesthetics of Italian design and a strong passion for beauty have profoundly influenced my life. Since I was a child, I was intrigued and captivated by the sunglasses of movie stars, and I always tried to get the coolest ones for myself. Over the years, I have worked as a designer, sales, and project manager, leading teams for major companies in Italy, the USA, and Brazil in the design and luxury sectors. These positions helped me to develop great sensitivity to the preferences, needs, and trends of consumers in my markets. Alchivista is, therefore, a continuation of that same life path. It’s an opportunity to experience something different while following my passions and my conviction that "beauty can save the world".
3) The space is certainly very particular you left the original floor of a building that appears to be historic and you played with the walls and the interior furnishings. A particular place where modernity, historicity, and creativity coexist. The idea is that of a world that includes other worlds, which is part of the charm of Alchivista. Tell us about that.
"Alchivista is a space designed for experimenting with and showcasing eyewear, creating an environment that nurtures artistic exploration and creative expression. Our store serves as a gallery that features various forms of art, from custom graffiti frescoes by a renowned artist from Sardegna to the artisanal restoration of the nearly century old "Veneziana" floor. The high-tech retro-lighted cylinders, interconnected by red lines, pay homage to the New York City subway map, which inspired the wall layout visible from the windows.
I chose Bologna because my DNA is here and because it is home to the oldest university in Europe. This is a city with a historical heart and a contemporary mentality. Its open-mindedness is like that of New York; it’s a place where you can breathe art. For these reasons, we need to respect and protect the historical environment where ALCHIVISTA resides. I personally ensured that the interior design was unique and unprecedented".
4) Who designed Alchivista, who chose the furnishings, the materials used, what are the peculiarities and what are the sources of inspiration?
"ALCHIVISTA appeared to me in a dream when I lived in New York. I wanted to choose finishes and furnishings that were true to the project’s mission: creativity, uniqueness, and beauty, with a pinch of mystery".
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5) What are the philosophy and the concept behind your store?
"Our mission is to introduce uniquely beautiful and unconventional products that appeal to a special clientele. We are dedicated to finding exclusive items with beautiful stories behind them. I envision ALCHIVISTA as the renaissance of eyewear."
6) What are your connections with art and design and what are your preferences?
"I love art in all its majesty and immensity. Certainly, in the ALCHIVISTA project, I was influenced by the pop art of Andy Warhol and Basquiat and the visionary madness of Hieronymus Bosch."
4) Who designed Alchivista, who chose the furnishings, the materials used, what are the peculiarities and what are the sources of inspiration?
"ALCHIVISTA appeared to me in a dream when I lived in New York. I wanted to choose finishes and furnishings that were true to the project’s mission: creativity, uniqueness, and beauty, with a pinch of mystery".
"
5) What are the philosophy and the concept behind your store?
"Our mission is to introduce uniquely beautiful and unconventional products that appeal to a special clientele. We are dedicated to finding exclusive items with beautiful stories behind them. I envision ALCHIVISTA as the renaissance of eyewear."
6) What are your connections with art and design and what are your preferences?
"I love art in all its majesty and immensity. Certainly, in the ALCHIVISTA project, I was influenced by the pop art of Andy Warhol and Basquiat and the visionary madness of Hieronymus Bosch."
7) What drives you to choose one collection rather than another, what do you look for when you have to decide which brands to include in your store?
"I am guided by instinct. The choice is always for a design that respects our MANIFESTO, MISSION, and VISION. ALCHIVISTA does not follow fashion; ALCHIVISTA glasses are as unique as those who wear them".
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8) You see countless people wearing glasses that are really ugly or else the wrong ones for their faces. But what should a frame represent for the person who wears it?
"At ALCHIVISTA, we prioritize service over sales. Our team consists of stylists and "alchemists" who listen to our client’s wishes and provide creative suggestions based on their lifestyle and appearance goals. Our gallery selections are designed to enhance appearances and offer a range of options from simple to artistic masterpieces. A visit to ALCHIVISTA can boost morale and leave people feeling refreshed, empowered, and more attractive. After all, isn’t that what we all want?"
9) What do you want to convey to your customers, what is the message you want them to take with themselves when they leave your store?
"I would like to invite everyone to visit the gallery to see ALCHIVISTA for themselves. My partner, Maestro Giuseppe Poté, is a licensed optician who can ensure that when the world sees your beautiful style statement, you also see the world with crystal clarity and a fresh outlook."
