How a fashion brand born today? We had a talk with Nicoletta Lo Monaco, young designer passionate about art and fashion. During the lockdown, Nicoletta founded Become One, the brand that is redesigning the leisurewear style in a truly visionary way, thanks to a strong and recognizable identity. Her brand it’s already well-known, even among celebrities.
Hi Nicoletta, I’d like to let readers know a little bit about you. Who are you?
I’m an incurable dreamer but extremely determined. I’m a pendulum that swings between art and fashion, my two greatest passions. I get lost in the infinite facets of art and let myself be overwhelmed by the eccentricity of fashion. These two worlds, so fascinating and inseparable, coexist in me.
Have you always wanted to be a designer? What led you to this choice?
On a professional level, I have always been torn between the art and the fashion worlds. I did the art school, but I have always had a natural and very strong tension towards the fashion world, which it’s impossible to contain… This is why I decided to create a brand that would allow me to combine the two worlds. I draw my line meeting and letting myself be inspired by the works of young artists; together wonderful ideas are born, which take shape in the capsule collections.
How is born Become One?
Become One is born during the lockdown. I courageously left my job as a full-time designer, because I felt a strong desire to create something of my own. From that moment, I spent sleepless nights reaching the peak of my creativity, because I couldn’t wait to let out everything I had inside. It all started from my bedroom and from the reflection of the shutter on my white curtain. With its shades, white is the color of the beginning and rebirthing.
Where does the brand name come from?
In my project, art and fashion become literally one. I like the dynamism of the name “Become One”, it implies a tension between two things, an approach, a progressive movement… A growth.
What are the inspirations you draw on for your brand?
When I draw, I’m very inspired by the art world and then I love researching, leafing through books and fashion archives, watching fashion shows from the 90s, as well as wandering around the most hidden vintage markets and shops. Actually, I like to let myself be “dazzled” by anything that attracts my attention, my gaze… Even a tiny detail can give rise to my collection.
From your clothes there is a sense of lightness, as if they wanted to free the body from rigid lines. Is that why you chose a leisurewear style defined by dynamic fabrics?
I really appreciate your relationship between my clothes and lightness. I mean ‘lightness’ as the freedom to be able to move and feel comfortable in garments that are extremely versatile thanks to fabrics soft as clouds… To be specific, my goal is to create a sophisticated and urban loungewear brand. Literally, loungewear meant clothing to stay at home. Become One was born just like that, at home during the lockdown, with the need to create a new sporty-chic style.
Could we define Become One’s items gender fluid or there’s a gender polarity that split them? For example, how would you define the cut-out body and the skirt?
One of the key words of Become One is VERSATILITY. Many of my garments are born as unisex items, they are totally designed to be worn men and women. However, I like to think of versatility in broader terms, beyond the boundaries of genre. ‘Versatility’ as freedom of interpretation word. For example, the heart-warming sweatshirt with hood and laces that tie at the waist can be worn in infinite ways… As in art, those who observe how the wearer is free to give their own point of view.
Was there an obstacle you didn’t expect on this path?
I don’t want to talk about obstacles, it’s a word that I don’t like so much… This path is certainly tortuous and difficult. Every day I find myself having to fight to get exactly what I have in mind. We clash daily with suppliers, producers, critics etc., but you must always be proactive and extremely flexible. Believe it with all your heart. Passion eats every challenge and in this world you either eat or they’ll eat you.
Since its launch, Become One has also had great resonance amongs celebrities. Is it true?
Yes, absolutely true! Overcoming all good expectations, we had a great response from bloggers, artists, singers and sportsmen, through social media. Our garments were worn by Chiara Ferragni, Elodie, Bianca Balti, Chiara Biasi, Veronica Ferraro, the Italian rapper Lazza, Ernia, Boateng, Pietro Aradori etc. Many bloggers have written to Become One congratulating with us and we flattered and honored them with some of our items. It was truly an emotion and an immense joy.
How important is to communicate through social networks for an emerging brand?
Today, I think communication through social media is a fundamental aspect for emerging brands. The fashion world and not only is moving towards digitization, now even some fashion shows are completely recreated in 3D. We live in a world made of images that overlap in a frenetic way, which is why it is essential to create a very strong and defined brand image and brand identity. You must be recognizable and unusual, intrigue, capture the attention of distracted glances. I think this was the strength of Become One, it’s unmistakable and not attributable to another brand.
How is your plan for the future?
I have thousand ideas, but I’d certainly like to create a new fashion show format in the future. My idea is more like a real artistic-cultural event. I imagine the presentation of my collections as an exhibition, among fashion, design, architecture, dance and music… A real exhibition space and a moment in which fashion lovers, journalists, collectors, art critics come in contact and where ideas and opinions are exchanged. Meanwhile, models parade freely among the guests surrounded by works of art… I have always loved the concept of a total work of art created in the Viennese Secession Building in Olbrich, a complete fusion of the arts. I’m inspired and I aspire to this, as a true dreamer.
What advice would you give to a young designer who wants to have his own brand?
My advice is to let yourself be completely carried away by the voice of your own desire. Follow your intuition and your instincts, commit yourself with constancy and dedication. Never lose the hope and believe in it until the end trying to carve out your own space with determination. What we Think we Become! –
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Discover the Become One x Shopenauer looks:
Look n1: Become One high-waisted skirt with featuring elastic band / Bottega Veneta aviator sunglasses / YSL heart earrings / The Attico sandals / Paco Rabanne mini bag
Look n2: Become One sporty bermuda shorts in shiny fabric / Become One embroidery cap / Bottega Veneta boots / Bottega Veneta t-shirt / Rewop Milano sunglasses
Website: www.becomeone.it
Instagram: becomeone_
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