Art knows no constraints and has no limitations. It transcends conventions imposed by society and defies well-established boundaries with the ultimate goal of challenging the status quo. Similarly, fashion is a universal language used to express individual preferences and unique personality traits. Together, they provide a compass of expression and innovation that helps society flourish. FOMO, a sophisticated customization clothing brand, lies at the intersection of art and fashion and constitutes a project that is a testament to Edoardo’s creative genius. His work is a manifestation of years of accumulated inspiration and endeavors to create a unique style and innovative pieces. In this interview, we will explore FOMO’s creative process and philosophy, craftsmanship, and inspiration. Let’s unveil together the secrets of FOMO’s success and discover Edoardo’s innovative approach in the world of fashion customization.

How did you get the idea of creating a brand based on product customization? What was the inspiration behind it?

At the genesis of a business, an idea is all that exists. It takes hard work, technical know-how, and a dash of inspiration to transform this vision into a tangible product or service that will bring maximum satisfaction to the clients. Edoardo prefers not to call FOMO a brand, at least not yet; rather, he believes the term “project” is more suitable, highlighting its ever-evolving state. His work is a dynamic reaction between his unsatisfiable creative itch and perseverance to materialize his vision. Still, like every young artist, he had to overcome numerous difficulties and find the solution to many problems that puzzled him. “I knew I had to do something, and I had the need to get it out, but I didn’t know how or when,” he admitted. However, giving up was not an option for him; he had to find a way to capitalize on his creative ideas stemming from his childhood and satisfy his insatiable need to express himself which “had been accumulating inside me for years.” In fact, since he does not define his project as a brand, he enjoys complete freedom in communicating his personal artistic ideas. As he highlighted, “it gives me the opportunity to literally do whatever comes to mind,” without strictly adhering to trends, collections, seasons, and drops. This is why his greatest inspiration stems from Virgil Abloh, the former CEO of Off-White, whose unique designs place them at the forefront of stylistic innovation. He recognizes his influence on the fashion world as a trendsetter which is still in effect today.

Could you describe the creative and productive process that is behind the creation of your products? Do you have a collaboration with your clients to realize their ideas?

The creation of a product is far from simple. It requires hours of experimenting and learning to find the optimal technique to build it. This iterative process continues indefinitely since inspiration never ceases to exist and novel ideas unfailingly emerge. “I think that the creative process, at least mine, is a flow; I don’t think it has a beginning or an end,” he emphasized, underpinning the dynamic momentum of artistic visions. Indeed, his inspiration comes from everyday life sources such as social media and everyday encounters. Therefore, the flow of thoughts is not always predictable: in his creative journey, he often finds ideas for a future project rather than the one he is currently working on, illustrating the kinetic energy of creativity that allows him to plan ahead. He proceeded by drawing an analogy between stylistic and scientific experimentation, demonstrating the hard work necessary to produce the supreme result. “From observation (creative process) comes the idea, then there’s the formulation of the hypothesis (how can I make this?), followed by the experimental phase (putting into practice what I’ve learned),” he highlighted. After that, he meticulously analyzes the outcome and discerns areas for enhancement. As is natural, the subsequent product consistently surpasses its predecessor, embodying a perpetual cycle of refinement that progressively moves closer and closer to an original, high-quality creation.

Furthermore, Edoardo revealed that during the early steps of his career, he often collaborated with unfamiliar regular clientele as he intended to create uniquely customized items upon request. This led to subsequent versions of Timberlands that gained popularity. However, due to time constraints and to avoid being branded solely as “the custom guy,” he now exclusively collaborates with acquaintances, fellow designers, or other creatives. For the broader public, only the standard or “ongoing” products that he produces are available.

Which technologies and materials do you use to guarantee the quality and durability of your personalized products? Is there any specific material that you prefer?

Handcrafted customization requires a lot of precision and meticulous attention to detail. Still, no piece will look identical to another, imparting a unique aura to every product. “It is much more challenging to create handmade products that last over time,” Edoardo emphasized, highlighting the obstacles he faced in crafting a durable creation. Fortunately, when it comes to Timberlands, after making and designing about ten pairs entirely by hand, he invested his money in a laser engraver. It guarantees extreme precision even in the most complex designs, and practically infinite durability on nubuck, as the laser burns the leather permanently. Therefore, it is Edoardo’s dedication to craftsmanship that provides clients with lasting products that pass the test of time.

How do you keep yourself updated with the latest trends in design and innovation in the customization sector? Can you give us an example of some recent trends that you used in your designs?

Fashion is like a symphony with diverse elements blending harmoniously to produce a melodic and enchanting result. Yet, the outcome is different every season, showcasing its dynamic nature and continuous evolution. Fashion, just like a symphony, is in constant development, where various elements combine symbiotically to create new trends. To innovate stylistically, Edoardo uses social media to help him stay updated, always have new ideas, and be ahead of others on new trends. Even if he regrets spending too much time on his phone, he acknowledges the positive impact that the digital world has on his creative pursuits, with the US being his main source of inspiration. “For example, the Yankees logo trend, which has always been hyped but never like now,” serves as a testament to his influence. In fact, he found creative resonance in the Clarks Wallabees in collaboration with Kith x MLB, he highlighted.

Which is the most common feedback that you receive from your customers? Can you share with us a story of particularly satisfied customers that you will never forget?

Achieving artistic excellence is one of the main concerns of Edoardo. Equally important is his endeavors to achieve the maximum satisfaction of his clientele, trying to exceed their expectations in every way. “I have to say that when I ship the drops, I always feel a bit anxious that something might go wrong or that someone might not be satisfied with my product,” he revealed. However, his fear has never materialized as no one has ever complained about the result and neither does any recurring feedback exist in particular. “It feels strange that so many people who don’t even know me support me so much. Sometimes, I receive really nice messages,” he remarked, showcasing his gratitude toward his clients.

His most memorable project? The first customized Timberlands he sold to Matteo, a friend of his who is a big fan of A$AP. He wanted to replicate the Running Riot design done by an American artist for A$AP Rocky on his Timbs, and they came up with the idea of putting an American flag pin on the side of the shoe. “Since then, many people have asked for that design, and I believe I’ve already sold more than 20 pairs made that way,” underscoring the major success of this idea.

Collaborations are often a crucial factor in a brand’s growth. Is there a company or a person out there with whom you want to collaborate in the future?

Collaborations are mutually beneficial endeavors that involve the transfer of ideas to achieve an extraordinary result. This type of partnership allows brands to blend their strengths to produce a superb result that exceeds the individual efforts. Edoardo recognizes their value and importance in making original and unprecedented creations and admits that he wants to collaborate with too many artists in the future. “I’m really sorry I didn’t start this project when Virgil was still alive, he definitely would have been my dream collaboration,” he reflected with a tone of regret and admiration. Additionally, Domenico Formichetti, Veneda Carter, and Guillermo Andrade of 424 are some of the notable figures in the fashion industry he would like to collaborate with. However, he remarked that he could name a thousand more, emphasizing the many artists who continuously inspire and shape his work.

Edoardo’s Impact

On a final note, Edoardo’s work stands as a beacon of creativity and inspiration for many young artists wishing to embark on their fashion journey. Through hard work and dedication, he ensures that FOMO leverages existing trends and evolves them further. The project’s success is not solely due to talent but also stems from a commitment to excellence and consumer satisfaction. In short, Edoardo’s story illustrates how inspiration, perseverance, and precision can lead to extraordinary results and major achievements.