Inspired by travel and culture, Alessandra, founder of AEAND, hand makes all her pieces using natural and considered materials. I was drawn to Alessandra’s inspiring use of shape and space using methods such as screen-printing and mark-making to create bold, yet simple, designs.
At Caro we are exploring the theme of Folklore this year, and so we set Alessandra the task of creating a set of prints with this in mind. Her interpretation saw the exploration of symbols culminating in a set of three prints called Sunne, Meadow and Harvest. The rich, earthy tones are captivating and sit beautifully on the heavy, organic paper.
We are delighted to have a catch up with Alessandra, catching a glimpse of her day to day life.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I would say there isn't really often a typical day, which is great because I get bored easily! We got a puppy in December, so she has been wonderful in bringing a sense of routine into our lives, her walks and meal times are the only constant really, alongside other daily rituals like bathing. My days usually vary between, emails, shipping orders, printing, drawing and running various other errands. I go swimming and do pilates a few times a week too, I look forward to the weather warming up so I can get back to a daily sea swim in the afternoon, recently my partner and I have been doing some yin yoga before bed together which has been great.
Where’s your dream escape destination?
I'm pretty flexible, I absolutely love travelling, but sunshine is definitely key and either mountains or the sea - or both. I love the mediterranean for so many reasons - food, quality of life, so that ticks all my boxes.
What’s your vice?
Chocolate, 100%!
What are you listening to at the moment?
I am terrible at reading... I tend to start a book and never finish it, and somehow this is the same with audio books. Things I'm part way through reading are 'The Land Where Lemons Grow: The Story of Italy and Its Citrus Fruit by Helena Attlee' , 'Changing and Unchanging Things: Noguchi and Hasegawa in Postwar Japan' & "Live beautiful by Athena Calderone'. Regular podcasts i listen to are 'Expanded by Lacey Phillips' & ' Unlocking Us by Brene Brown'.
Whats your favourite thing to eat?
Oooooh such a hard question! I'm very seasonal, I love a great pasta dish, and a really good Neapolitan pizza. Things I eat most days though; Parmesan, eggs, chocolate - not all together of course!
What are you most curious about?
I'm very curious about different cultures, peoples habits, traditions, rituals. Particularly around artistic practices and crafts, I love how all cultures have heritage and traditional crafts and this really interests me. I enjoy learning how things are made and the process, something I recently learnt about was the making of traditional Turkish delight. The rose farms are stunning, and how they have to pick the petals super early in the morning before the hot sun scorches them. Small things like this I love.
What’s the most memorable piece of advice you’ve received?
Another tough one, so many nuggets of wisdom from special people in my life... Though, something i think of often is from a close friend of mine, Holly, who i used to work with and her motto is 'kill them with kindness'. I think it's easy to act out of frustration, disappointment or anger in certain situations when we're triggered by something, but if we can stay in our grace and be kind in those moments we will always come out feeling better and making others feel better too, so that really stays with me.
What are your top 3 items at Caro?
Number 1 has to be the Earl Grey & Biscuit Blonde Chocolate - I'm obsessed (even writing this I can imagine the taste and would love a piece melting in my mouth right now!), Number 2 is the French Girl Le Lip Tint , I picked one of these up when we were last in Bruton and I love a tinted lip balm and Number 3 is the Land collection from Kana, who is also a close friend, I've loved every variation of the land collection she's done and think they're all super beautiful.
See our limited editions prints HERE
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