Meet Marianna Valente | Creative Director & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marianna Valente and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marianna, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
Legacy: a beautiful word, a precious value when I think of the elders in my life that preceded me and that I greatly looked up to such as my grandparents. I don’t know that I can compare in honor, however I would want my legacy to be locked with emotion just the same. The kind that could bring a spark of light to to your eye and a glitter in your smile. I would want people to remember the great quest I have always and continue to seek through my artistic projects, my ways, my actions, my choices: the pursuit to intertwine and fuse tradition, passion, and creative into one magic recipe for all things whether it be a letter to a friend, a table setting, a photograph or a dress. I would want people to think of that, to feel that, more than to just simply say I pour my heart and soul into all that I do, it is this quest that really defines me. The heart and soul are the platform and the tools to ignite the desired momentum for the job.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

‘Beauty is the Love for Life’ has been my motto as an artist, my fixation. As a young girl I sought out every detail around me, especially during our Italian summers. Even a window shutter would leave me in awe. The cobblestone streets. The way the historic tree stems curved and opened to the skies. The women on balconies singing and chatting across to each other. Captivated by all the emotions they provoked in me, they became part to my own sweet fairytale, characters and details in my daydreams. Then there were my grandmothers of course. The apples to my eye. As I observed, absorbed, grew and matured, I set off on a mission to preserve these moments infinitely and eventually Dreams in an Armoire was born. I pursued the fierce urge and passion to craft beautiful, contemporary yet timeless pieces. I kept a constant to be vigorously preoccupied in stimulating each of the senses with my creations; to tell a story through those emotions, and to never lose sight of the original rooted story–my grandmothers’ armoires and their tales on love and life.

Was it easy to get here? Of course not, but my grandmothers taught me just as well, the best treasures in life are never easy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wynwood for fun brunches would be first on the list. Breakfast/brunch can be fancy and chic in south beach hotels, but for a twist of unique and artsy Wynwood always does the trick. A walk through Wynwood Walls never fails and The Salty Doughnut is a sweet cherry to top off with. Two night spots also in Wynwood for excellent dinner are at Doya and Doma. Ball and Chain for a cuban night of dancing and drinks in Little Havana. Another night at the Deck for excellent food, drinks and entertainment. Daytime well spent on rooftop pools and spas in Brickell or fun find at the Carillon Wellness Spa with an amazing hydrotherapy circuit. Call Me Gaby a favorite for lunch or dinner. Esme Hotel and it’s eateries a new fave on the famous Espanola Way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my ‘shoutout’ to my family–those that sow the seeds and have given me the strength and courage to reap. It is thanks to them that I am where I stand today.

My brother Luca is my best man on everything and anything logistic or strategic and my saving grace for confidence, calm, and patience when my creative drive is running wild. He steers the imagery and the digital vision for Dreams in an Armoire as Executive Producer and Director of photography, videography, and branded events (besides his own load as EP for Strange Loop Studio). He is the little one, but definitely the BIG one in my life and career path. Our parents are the heartbeat of everything I have been able to put into motion by way of their instruction, discipline, love, persistence, and pride. They have enabled and guided me to where I stand today.
Grateful and dutiful are merely words to express the feelings bubbling within me on the daily; my own collection I can say is the tangible revelation.

Website: https://www.dreamsinanarmoire.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamsinanarmoire/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamsinanarmoire

Image Credits
Julio Tapia Photography