UNFILTERED STORIES FROM OUR CLOSE FRIENDS: MANUEL VUONO

In this interview, we delve into the world of Manuel Vuono, who share his inspirations and unique perspectives.

1. Introduce Yourself to the Casawi Community: What drives you? What's your artistic vision, and what sets you apart from the crowd?

One of my earliest childhood memories is being at a market with my grandfather. He introduced me to the art of negotiation while I was searching for phone cards—my very first collection. Throughout my life, I’ve had the pleasure of talking to many older people who move at a rhythm entirely their own: in the city, while traveling, at home, or when I’d stop for a quick bite on the street. I don't know if they found me or if I found them; it’s simply always felt like a magnetic pull.

I believe this was my greatest stroke of luck. From their life experiences, I learned that the only thing that truly matters is time. I started my career as a professional photographer at 22, and 15 years have flown by in the blink of an eye. From my photography work, I learned an obsession with detail and a fascination for raw materials. As I grew older, my desire to communicate through physical objects grew right alongside me, leading me to found my own private label.

I was fortunate enough to cross paths with many "masters"—none of them pretentious enough to try to teach, yet from whom I silently learned everything. Even from the worst ones. Leatherworking, on the other hand, came through self-taught experimentation, countless trial-and-error moments, and a few early satisfactions. In recent years, I’ve learned to trust my instincts and seek simple happiness in the smallest things.

Photography and leathercraft are closely related languages: just as I try to capture people's souls through my shots, I try to reflect who they are through the pieces I create for them.

2. City Inspirations: How has your city influenced your artistic path? Share how its streets, culture, and energy have molded your work.

I arrived in Milan as a twenty-year-old kid, and it’s where I grew into a man. It’s a city that gives a lot, but also demands a lot—a place where I chose to plant my roots.

Milan is a bustling hub, a port city of sorts, and in places like this, you can find anything—provided you have the drive,persistence, and a bit of luck to search for it. But when you find what you’re looking for, you have to be ready to run with it; metropolises move fast.

Over the past 17 years, I’ve lived in various neighborhoods and watched the city transform before my eyes. I experienced Navigli before the massive Expo developments—back when so many artists passed through, especially musicians. Many of them became close friends; others were confidants for just a single night.

In Milan, people used to talk late into the night out in the streets, right outside closed shutters. That’s how deep bonds and real connections were formed—some still alive today, others fleeting yet pivotal for my career. In early 2024, during a watch-hunting trip to Hong Kong (yes, I’m passionate about timepieces too, but that’s a story for another day), I noticed a man climbing onto an old wooden chair to replace a lightbulb. From such a simple, everyday gesture, I had an epiphany: everything suddenly became clear.

I wanted to create something genuinely useful—just like that chair—something beautiful and functional that withstands the test of time, something you can wear, and perhaps even pass down.

3. Creative Process: What fuels your creativity? Whether it's a ritual, a muse, or a moment of clarity, we're keen to learn.

History and the past have a great deal to teach the future.

In my case, VUONO carries the soul of the family who loved me and taught me the poems of our tradition. I belong to an Italian ethnic minority called the Arbëreshë, and my logo tells the story of the journey my ancestors took to reach Italy about 600 years ago.

There’s a phrase that echoes inside me every day: "Everywhere I go, I find home"—a line from an old song I used to hear during the holidays.

I want to instill this solid core, this feeling of grounded confidence into my belts, so they become precious talismans—pieces to carry with pride over time. The most important thing is your perspective, your eyes: if you can find a switch to continuously refresh how you see the world, you will always stay young. Without realizing it, I’ve been building an archive my entire life: objects that caught my eye, from scrap metal pieces to treasures brought from overseas. My studio is my Wunderkammer—my cabinet of curiosities.

4. City Lifestyle and Art: How the places you lived influenced your career and work?

Over the years, I’ve traveled, studied, read, observed, and carved out my own set of values. Creating a safe haven for yourself and your friends is an essential milestone in life.

My studio is a calm space to work, focus, laugh, imagine, and build. It’s a feeling I carry with me wherever I go, bringing tranquility along whenever I can. The boundaries I’ve set and the "no's" I’ve learned to say have finally given me true freedom and direction along my path.

5. Latest or Upcoming Projects: Give us a glimpse into your current endeavors and what lies ahead on your creative journey.

My future project is simply to grow and evolve as a human being—everything around me will naturally elevate at the same pace. There is a collaboration set for late 2026 that is finally about to be revealed—a project I’m incredibly proud of, where I curated the creative direction, design, and communication. It feels like my entire journey converging onto a single, bright path. I want to spend meaningful time in my studio and with my family. I want to convey to the people I meet my respect for objects—because objects are opportunities to create connections, memories, gifts, and emotions. What I strive to do every day is create something beautiful that can be worn effortlessly on any occasion, whether casual or formal.

I’ll leave it to you to decide if I’ve succeeded.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Casawi for this interview. Answering your questions kindly forced me to reflect on the present—the only tangible truth we have and the space where we must build.