Wearing artworks with Hopera Design
The slow fashion brand born from the creative mind of Bari-native Davide Bozzi
Fashion today attracts some of the most talented and innovative people in the world, inspiring them to push boundaries and explore new heights. What’s truly remarkable is that fashion continues to maintain its leading role while constantly embracing and integrating other art forms. Marketing, fashion and music are in the personal and professional profile of Davide Bozzi, a young man from Bari who lives and works in Barcelona. Here he created and launched Hopera Design a project in fashion that aims to bring art on the move and make it accessible to anyone, anywhere. Hopera Design is a selection of magnificent works, from European art deco to Japanese adornments, printed on high-quality T-shirts. This slow fashion brand not only embodies sustainability and ethical values, but also serves as a platform for the beauty of modern and classical art to thrive in the urban jungle. It’s a contemporary project where time and space merge seamlessly, represented by the many places that have become the stages of Davide’s journey – starting right from Bari.
You started your career in the marketing department of Desigual in Barcelona, and now you work for the prestigious Spanish fashion brand Lola Casademunt. But let’s not forget that the origin of your passion for art and creativity stems from your personal affections.
My passion for art is deeply ingrained in my life, and I attribute it to my eclectic older sister Luana. Her creative and rebellious spirit has always fascinated me. As for my passion for fashion, I owe it to a dear friend from Bari too, Dario, who is more like a brother to me. He is the best trend seeker I’ve ever known and growing up alongside him, I developed a profound appreciation for creative expression and refined aesthetics. Over time, this inclination became one of the fundamental pillars of my personal life and professional journey.
Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communication in Bari, you embarked on your adventure in Spain with a university exchange program in Madrid. Driven by your love for the sea, you then found yourself in Barcelona, where you pursued your master’s degree before starting your career at Desigual. However, it’s important to note that your intuition to combine art and fashion did not originate on Iberian soil.
After four years of valuable experience in this company, I decided to take a sabbatical year to delve into digital marketing and improve my English. I packed my bags and embarked on a journey to Australia. During this trip I made a discovery that sparked the idea of blending fashion and art. While I was looking for a digital image of an artwork I had seen in a book, I stumbled upon a vast library of high-quality artworks made available by museums worldwide. This discovery inspired me to merge my two passions, creating a brand that fused classical art with the contemporary. The goal was to spread art in an accessible way.
Once back in Barcelona, however, you did not create a fashion brand, but an electronic music collective, Survibe Music. What role does music play in your life?
Music is the guiding thread of my life. It’s a universal language that connects people, stirs emotions, and transforms moments into indelible memories. Its ability to create connections and evoke emotions is a crucial element in my life and my work. Back in Spain after my sabbatical, COVID-19 arrived and while I was getting a little bored in isolation with one of my best friends, a talented musician, Survibe Music was born. It is an electronic music and techno event organization created by me and four other partners, dear friends all originally from Bari based in Barcelona. As co-founder and resident DJ, I have had the privilege of working closely with many local talents.
That inspiration you had during your sabbatical became a reality years later, what brought it to life?
At the same time as Survibe, I was working as a marketing manager in another fashion company, Surkana. After four years, I wanted to evaluate carefully and decided to enroll in ESADE’s Executive Master’s in Luxury Marketing Management. While browsing through art books and taking the opportunity to be bored again, I came across a painting by Bosch, and thus the inspiration for HOPERA Design was born. I shared the idea with a dear friend, roommate and now partner, actually my Morpheus from Matrix. We circulated the presentation, and several friends and acquaintances wanted to invest. From then on I worked nonstop, and I remember a quote from my great friend Virgil, who said: “dreams come true when you don’t sleep“. Now I work as Marketing Manager for Lola Casademunt during the day, and at the Hopera Design project at night and on weekends.
How do you select artwork printed on T-shirts?
The selection of artworks is a process guided by passion and attention. I seek out artworks with significant stories, deep messages, and current relevance. My mission is to go beyond conventional artworks, looking for lesser-known yet equally influential masterpieces. Every artwork we choose must tell a story, convey a message, or capture an emotion. We want our artworks to be more than just objects but vehicles of artistic expression. The idea of finding artworks with contemporary messages aims to enable those who wear them to identify with the artwork itself, associate with the artist, and express their own creativity through fashion. What you wear becomes a living canvas, a way to express your love for art and your creative spirit.
What values does Hopera Design stand for as a fashion brand?
Our vision is expressed in the claim “Art to the People.” We want our brand to be recognized globally, contributing to the spread of art and inspiration worldwide, making art more accessible and influencing a global audience. We want to do it, in a sustainable way.
“That’s why we embrace a slow fashion business model”
We produce on demand to avoid overstock and counteract fast fashion’s negative environmental impact. Our products are 100% sustainable and have timeless significance. These artworks have been influencing and setting design trends for centuries, and we aim to promote a more conscious consumption approach.
The next products that you are working on?
Our vision includes expanding our product range by introducing new categories, such as paintings, design skateboards, basketballs, scarves, ceramics, and much more. T-shirts are just our first step toward a world of limitless creativity.
