Designer Extraordinaire Andrea Valentini

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Saturday, December 18, 2010

Becky DiStefano, GoLocalProv Beauty Expert

Highlighting local talent is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do here at GoLocalProv. We got the chance to sit down with designer extraordinaire Andrea Valentini, born and raised here in the Ocean State, to discuss her work, her success and what’s next.

Rhode Island Born and Bred

Andrea grew up in Cranston, inspired early by her artist mother and carpenter father. “I was always inspired to work with my hands whether I was outside in nature or going to the hardware store with my Dad,” she explains. Growing up a in big, Italian family, everyone was very hands-on.

Carrying with her that artistic spirit, Andrea attended RISD and graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in both Fine Arts and Interior Architecture and upon graduating, she co-founded an interior architecture firm. Since then, Andrea has worked in furniture design (her “Coosh” egg chair won international attention) and created her first textile, molding fabric from foam. The fabric was displayed at the Smithsonian as well as internationally. Handbags, jewelry and accessories are more jewels in her lifestyle brand crown.

Hidden Treasures

With worldwide success, Andrea loves calling Rhode Island home. “My favorite thing about living in Rhode Island, both as a child and now, is the accessibility of always finding hidden treasures. Everyday I discover something new here!”
Her future is as bold and exciting as her past. Andrea is developing her ready-to-wear collection for Providence Styleweek in January. “I am very excited about the feel and textures of these fabrics and am working with new findings to integrate my jewelry into this collection.”

With a burgeoning empire of lifestyle, fashion and home furnishings and décor, Andrea is constantly inspired to keep going and creating. “I am inspired by anything that challenges me, makes me question or pushes me to think, whether it’s in nature or industry. I love using materials that are underutilized and finding other creative uses for them; I see the hidden potential.”
Read more about Andrea and her work at andreavalentini.com.
 

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