New beginnings

I used to spend my summer holidays in our countryside house just outside Martina Franca, a town in the province of Taranto, Puglia. The beautiful old town is famous for its Baroque architecture and narrow streets heading to charming little squares or hushed and serene restaurants which I discovered only later in my life. As a 10-year-old, I went on adventures in the rural areas of Martina Franca instead, armed with wooden sticks and the confidence of a bunch of local kids. The feeling of discovering secrets and possible troubles, was so exciting and scary at the same time. Like the mystery around old houses and the big wooden doors we were never brave enough to open!

It is quite a coincidence that my creative director Ritesh has chosen Indian rural doors as inspiration for some conceptual images as you can see in the images above. We discussed about the concept earlier, but it was only when I saw his pictures that my heart took me back to those memories. 

At this point, I asked my dad, correspondent from Italy, to do some research and find some of those doors I had in my memory.  Now, my dad is an explorer at heart, so with no hesitation he grabbed his mobile phone and went on a mission. Here is a selection of what he has sent me.... the similarity with the images Ritesh sent me was mind blowing! 

As I have built my roots in many places including India, my family roots lie behind these memories and the places where I grew up. The connection with Ritesh's creative concept has showed me how naturally our inspiration lies in our roots.

Doors have been a long-time symbol of a new beginning, to abandon the old and embrace the new. Today is Diwali, the Festival of Lights in India,  it gives hope to people and marks new beginnings.

We hope and feel that these difficult times will soon be over the threshold.

Happy Diwali. Stay safe.