Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies

Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies

In the paradise home of Manuela Sosa, the creator of Gang and the Wool, we are welcomed by a rapture of floral scents, shimmering colours and hazy spring sunshine. Nestled in the Barcelona hilltops, this sixties house has become the creative lair of Gang and the Wool, Manuela’s floral brand which specialises in weddings. In a sunny corner of her garden, she has installed her workshop under a canopy of pine trees overlooking the house. With a true love for nature, this Uruguayan florist, lives and breathes it into her creations. Her wild and astonishingly beautiful bouquets are amalgamations of fresh or dried flowers and sometimes even objects that she’s gathered over time. Her philosophy synthesises freedom and creativity, and is one that extends well beyond her work. This lady radiates life and character, and our inspiring conversation with her is exactly the type of encounter we love.

Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies

Manuela, could you introduce yourself?

Manuela

I’m originally from Uruguay and have lived in Spain for 20 years. As an industrial designer, an artist director and also a curator, I’ve always been interested in integrating art with real life. Design is at the centre of my life is: design in its widest sense. I like to see the world around us as art, from the tiniest detail to the most immense scenery, nature’s power to astound us is inextinguishable. I love walking around barefoot, I rarely say no to an ice-cream, I adore nature and everything it has to offers us. I’m always open to beauty, no matter its shape or form, it never fails to inspire me. I love counterbalancing simplicity and complexity. I believe that the secret lies in the subtleties. I consider myself as an idealist in all senses of the word. I am the mother of Mia and I couldn’t imagine life without my family or my work.

How did Gang and the Wool begin?

Manuela

Gand and the Wool is dedicated to flowers. My speciality is weddings. For me, such an event must be a delight for the eyes, nose, tastebuds, body and soul. It’s much more than decoration, and choosing the right menu and flowers, although that is an important part of the equation. The whole overall effect of each shape, colour, texture and piece of music must be taken into consideration. I always take care to know were the light falls at poignant moments of the day, the optimal place to enjoy the view. These elements are crucial when it comes to staging. A wedding is a Haute Couture adventure! For a few hours, magic takes over, love and happiness is palpable and indescribable.

Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies

Why did you choose the name?

Manuela

During my design studies, I worked with lots of different materials, especially wool. I loved its name and how it sound in English, so I kept it.

How would you describe the way your work with flowers? Do you have a particular style?

Manuela

I like to think that my style suffuses fresh flowers and treasures from my local mediterranean countryside, gathered on long walks. My flowers are sourced directly from the world’s biggest market, Aslsmeer, in the Netherlands. This gives my bouquets a purity and a bucolic, rural charm. I always try to allow the spontaneous nature of my plants to shine through in my creations, and I steer clear as much as possible from rigid rules of the technique. So in a nutshell, I would say that I like to create poetry with my flowers, and create emotion with a bare minimum of materials.

What inspires you?

Manuela

Nature in everything it offers, but also the small pleasures in life. Travels, encounters, designs and endless discussions with friends.

How long have you lived here?

Manuela

For 17 years already. At the beginning it was a tiny little house, built in the 60s. We have expanded it little by little.

Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies

What are your favourite thing in your home?

Manuela

I absolutely love my José Antonio Coderch lamp. I bought it several years ago, as an industrial design student. I was obsessed by the way it cast light, it gives out a warm glow when it’s illuminated, and I love its shape.

Lets talk about design. Which period or artist do you like the most?

Manuela

I really like modern and contemporary art. I think that this discipline has had incredible periods of creativity and innovation. And that hasn’t stopped. Every day something inspiring, something new happens. Amongst the designers I particularly appreciate are India Mahdavi, the Bouroullec brothers, Ettore Sotssas and Paola Navone, to name a few because the list is long.

What’s next for Gang and the Wool?

Manuela

I shall continue with weddings, but also keep the door open to new artistic projects and collaborations.

Which is a place you recommend?

Manuela

The whole of Uruguay. It’s a heaven on earth, a melange of effervescence and tranquility.

Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies
Gang and The Wool, Floral Fantasies

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