Marco Buoncristiano talking about OREQUO

INTERVIEW by Cristina Morozzi 

Read the interview with Marco Buoncristiano, the creative mind behind the brand Orequo and its beautiful foulards, scarves and fashion accessories.

Marco Buoncristiano founded Orequo in 2018, inspired by his passion for art, literature, beauty in its various forms, and his desire to blend tradition and craftsmanship with refinement and elegance.

CM:
You chose an unusual name – what does Orequo mean?

MB:
It’s from the Latin ore and quo, indicating a sort of middle ground between past and present.

CM:
Tell us about your background.

MB:
It has nothing to do with Orequo. Before this venture I was doing cybersecurity. The idea came to me while drawing on the computer, and then perhaps it’s because I like stories and illustrations. My encounter with Francesca Santi, a psychologist, stimulated me to continue on this path.
I then created my collection of accessories: patterned scarves, stoles in cashmere and silk. We presented them at the White Show, and it was a success.

CM:
What will your next steps be?

MB:
To produce shirts, kimonos, pants, and full skirts. Then the fashion show at Alta Roma with our SS 2022 collection, with as many as 20 outfits. For winter we chose bright colors, almost as a contrast.

CM:
What is your distribution process?

MB:
We have a showroom in Bologna and one in Bari for distribution in Italy and Europe. Then we also have Orequo China that works very well.

CM:
What about staffing?

MB:
After four years, thanks to the success of our collections, we’ve expanded, adding two illustrators, Francesco and Marco, and we’re working on our SS 2023 collection

CM:
With COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and the complex times we’re living in, fashion is suffering. How are you coping?

MB:
If we’re still around, then we’re doing well. Maybe because we’re not from the fashion world, but rather from the illustration world. People want to wear something colorful, original. We’ll never copy things. We produce in Italy and use the craftsmanship of Italian artisans. We’ll never go and produce beyond the borders of our country.

CM:
How would you define your style?

MB:
We try to go against the grain, to dare. I think you have to destroy traditional patterns to free the imagination.

Our silk garments bring to life the stories and tales of Italian cultural tradition in an eclectic, original and modern way, but with regard for our cultural and manufacturing roots. We also seek excellence in our materials, which are natural and strictly made in Italy. Orequo is a way of telling people about me and a tribute to Italian savoir-faire, which I am proud of.

CM:
What are your plans for the future?

MB:
Following our illustrated and written narrative: each design has its own story. We plan to create partnerships with companies similar to ours and manufacturers of bags and shoes to create complete capsule collections for a young audience. We also have interns in the company.

Discover Orequo on Design Italy.