MILAN — Aquazzura is taking its first — high-heeled — step into hospitality.
The luxury footwear brand has partnered with one of the jewels in Rocco Forte Hotels’ crown, the famed Hotel de Russie in Rome, to develop the first Aquazzura Bar.
Opening this month and operating through November, every day from 5 p.m. to midnight, the open-air space is nestled in the hotel’s famed hidden garden. Its aesthetic inspired by the Aquazzura Casa Secret Garden tableware collection evokes the Dolce Vita lifestyle and brings a touch of the Italian Riviera to the country’s capital via striped umbrellas and a tiled bar hand-painted with lemon motifs.
Conceived by design studio Casa do Passadiço, the bar features metal outdoor furniture with tufted chairs and comfy sofas. Green trelliswork and lemon trees in striped planters add to the space.
The Aquazzura Bar at Hotel de Russie in Rome.
Mattia Aquila/Courtesy of Aquazzura
“I have always been passionate about interiors and hosting,” said Aquazzura’s founder Edgardo Osorio. “To me, hosting is an act of love — you create an experience for your guests, from the music to the food, to how the table is set. It has always been a dream of mine to translate the world of Aquazzura into a hospitality space.”
Osorio’s curation informed all aspects, such as the cocktail menu that reflects his passion for tequila. Created by Federico Pavan and executed by Matteo Capezzuolo, key cocktails include a monthly rotating frozen margarita made with tequila, fresh lime and seasonal fruits, alongside the Agave Nero, which is Osorio’s tequila-based interpretation of an espresso martini.
There also is a selection of tapas created by chef Fulvio Pierangelini, creative food director of Rocco Forte Hotels, and served on porcelain pieces hailing from the Aquazzura Casa collection.
The Aquazzura Bar at Hotel de Russie in Rome.
Mattia Aquila/Courtesy of Aquazzura
“Edgardo and I dreamed up Aquazzura Bar amid holiday’s ease — relaxed, laughing, surrounded by friends — and aimed to bottle that vibe,” said Lydia Forte, group director, food and beverage of Rocco Forte Hotels.
“Our job, at its heart, is to make people happy, embracing each guest and magically uplifting their mood. It’s in the details: the bartender’s friendly nod, the glass’ delicate line, the ice’s clink, the cocktail’s balanced flavor profile, the sounds and scents of the garden. Yet, what lingers is a feeling and finally, a memory of that feeling,” she said.
Osorio first revealed the project to WWD’s sister publication FN in December, when he was honored with the Designer of the Year award at the 38th annual FN Achievement Awards. At the time, he said he believed such a move would open the doors to more ventures in real estate and interiors.
These worlds have always fascinated the designer since childhood, as he admitted he “went for fashion but I could have been an interior decorator as well.” No wonder he gradually expanded Aquazzura’s world to include home decor and tableware starting from 2020.
The Aquazzura Bar at Hotel de Russie in Rome.
Mattia Aquila/Courtesy of Aquazzura
More category stretches seem to be underway, since Osorio promised that 2025 is going to mark a turning point for the company, teasing it will open a new phase of growth “way beyond shoes.”
“It’s the year where I really want to sell Aquazzura as a lifestyle brand. We’re no longer going to be just a shoe and accessories brand. I want to sell you a dream. And Aquazzura is the dream of happiness,” he said.
