ABOUT
ABOUT ANDY SOTTO
ABOUT ANDY SOTTO
ANDY SOTTO
ANDY SOTTO
HISTORY
Andy Sotto studied for a second degree in Fashion Design at the European Institute of Design (IED). Since graduating, Andy has been continuously designing and creating for his loyal client base, winning awards (such as Best Designer of Cataluña and the Balearic Islands), organising and curating fashion shows to support local designers, and adding to his professional skills by studying Haute Couture at Central St Martins, embroidery at Hand and Lock and tailoring at the Society of Tailors of Cataluña.
Andy started his studies to become a Master Shaman at nineteen years of age and has continued his spiritual healing practice ever since attaining this goal in his early twenties. Subsequently he spent some years living alone in the mountains above Barcelona, meditating and studying to become a professional yoga teacher and a self-taught painter. These extra facets are central to his aesthetic- exploring the boundaries of human experience and the spiritual, the blurring of conceptual art and wearable fashion.
Andy specialises in making dresses for important milestone events in the lives of his clients; weddings, social gatherings and other special occasions. Events where his clients want to feel special and to feel that their investment in the clothes that they wear greatly enhances their experience. Every piece created (even ‘ready to wear’) is tailored to the client.
Andy designs and makes for women who want to stand out from the crowd, women who enjoy collaborating in the design process, a modern woman who knows what she wants but is also willing to experiment and to go on a creative journey with her designer.
In terms of the ‘made to order’ collection, Andy works collaboratively with his clients, insisting on several meetings and fittings. It is a relationship almost like that of an architect with his client- listening, discussing and suggesting ideas, sketching designs together and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Attention to detail and genuine personal contact is of primary importance.
In terms of the ‘ready to wear’ collection, Andy draws on his unique artistic and spiritual inspiration to create clothes that are unique, imaginative yet eminently wearable.
At home equally in the art gallery and the fashion studio, Andy produces his clothes in both Barcelona and Hampton, London- moving between the two countries and soaking up inspiration from these centres of innovation and artisan craftsmanship.
Giving back to the community is central to Andy’s ethos. While at secondary school he volunteered for five years at an orphanage teaching children to read. This was a formative experience and, as a consequence, he plans to start free workshops for children and local people in Barcelona and London (teaching sewing and embroidery) and will work with the local government in Spain to facilitate the employment of recently arrived immigrants and refugees.
With an innate passion for creating and experimenting, this young designer is projected to be one of the great talents of the fashion industry.
Art is his inspiration. From childhood he began his own personal journey through painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature, film and photography to learn from and to draw on all forms of human expression.
He also studied for his first degree in International Trade at Alejandro de Humboldt University.
He found his true calling at the European Institute of Design (IED) in Barcelona, where he studied for his second degree and attained the title of fashion designer. In order to continue developing his technical knowledge and fashion perspective, he then decided to study further and develop his craft as a professional tailor with the Society of Tailors of Catalunya.
He went on to study Haute Couture at Central St. Martins. While living in London during this time, he also studied traditional and contemporary hand embroidery at Hand and Lock.
Awards include Best Designer of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands (2010), which led to collaborations with BMW to design a futuristic suit-vehicle.
ANDY SOTTO
IS...
EXPERIMENTAL
In his mind’s eye he plays with his creations, working with juxtapositions of styles, textures and colours to reach a perfect balance.
FUTURISTIC
His visions and creations are often forward thinking and futuristic; advanced in time and space; imagined from the peculiar perspective of tomorrow.
SCULPTURAL
The three-dimensionality of his designs often results in structural silhouettes that emphasize the creation of complex shapes and a stylized female figure.
MISSION
The creation and production of high fashion, oriented to the modern woman; feminine, sassy, sexy and smart. A woman seeking only originality and quality.
IN THE ATELIER YOU WILL FIND:
• Unique creations for weddings and evening events.
• A personalised and exquisite service.
• Tailor-made advice on outfits for events.
YOGA
Also I have been a yoga practitioner for more than 16 years.
I studied for 4 years in order to become a certified yoga teacher.
My training took place in Barcelona, Spain with the celebrated yoga professor Carlos Claramunt and I also hold professional certification and yoga teaching qualifications from AEPY (Spanish Assocation of Yoga Practitioners).
The lineage of my yoga studies includes spiritual luminaries such as Nil Hahoutoff, Swami Shankarananda and Babaji.
Yoga for me is a lifestyle and a passion. I practice every single day and it has brought many wonderful things to my life.
Andy loves what he does, and it shows. With more than ten years of experience in the field, he knows the fashion industry very well. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and he dedicates his utmost energy to every project he takes on.
Every customer is unique. That’s why he customizes every one of his designs to fit your needs exactly. Whether it’s a simple gown or a dreamed wedding dress, he’ll sit down with you, listen to your requests, and prepare a customized design.
