A-Z of designers.
Born and raised in Florence, Paolo Costagli creates fine jewellery that intimates the colors and motifs evocative of childhood weekends spent in the Tuscan countryside. Costagli has spent his life studying and perfecting his art, committing himself to creating jewellery that invokes the character and craftsmanship of classic jewellery designers from the 1920s to the 1950s, such as Suzanne Belperron and Rene Boivin. His exceptional pieces are informed by the experience and knowledge he has earned from over two decades of sourcing stones worldwide in search of the perfectly formed gemstones that have vaunted his designs into private collections and museums from New York to LA and from London back to Florence. Having earned his degree as a trained Gemologist, Paolo spent several years in Colombia, first digging for emeralds in the mines of Muzo and Cozcuez and later serving as chief buyer of a major emerald exporting company. After moving to New York he founded Paolo Costagli, Inc. in 1994 and began designing one-of-a-kind pieces that were sold at auction houses worldwide. As his reputation grew, Paolo was chosen by Bergdorf Goodman to showcase his jewellery, with other luxury retailers Neiman Marcus and Betteridge following suit. Paolo has developed signature collections such as his Brillante, Florentine, and Biano e Nero, while continuing to craft the bespoke pieces upon which his company was founded. Today, from his Fifth Avenue atelier, Paolo continues to passionately create chic jewels worn by women with an eye for the exceptional, finding favor amongst celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Elizabeth Hurley, and Lauren Conrad.
New York based designer, on the cutting edge of men’s jewellery design. After Graduating from RISD, Philip and his sister & partner, Courtney Crangi, began creating unique objects and jewellery from their New York City studio. In 2001 they launched their first collection, using materials not often associated with traditional jewellery design. Their signature collection combines age old techniques with a unique palette of gold, wrought iron and steel. Through this process, Philip Crangi crafts impeccably detailed heirloom pieces, creating classics for a new era.
London based designer Tomasz Donocik was born in Poland and raised in Austria. Since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2006, Tomasz has designed for some of the greatest International Jewellery Houses, namely, Stephen Webster, De Beers, Garrard, YKK and Links of London. Donocik’s body of work boldly reinterprets modernity through subverting motifs of classicism and masculinity. His inspirations bring together literature, architecture and surrealism to redefine jewellery for the contemporary accessories wearer. The combination of unconventional materials sensitively fused with androgynous intimation, Donocik’s designs aim to challenge preconceptions of self‐adornment. Donocik has been credited with several notable awards including ‘Jewellery Designer of the Year (Goldsmiths 2006); ‘New Designer of the Year’ (Collections 2009) and multiple Gold and Silver awards for ‘Craftsmanship and Design’. A regular fixture in the fashion press, Donocik is a rising star in the Jewellery Industry.
Sho Jewellery was founded and spearheaded by goldsmith and gemmologist, Sarah Ho, whose passion for gemstones, together with inspiration from her strong family heritage and important milestones in her life, has led to innovative designs and avant-garde jewellery collections. Each Life Chapter is symbolised through outstanding pieces of jewellery in silver; silver plated with 18 carat gold; as well as special fine pieces in 18 carat gold with diamonds and precious gemstones.SHO has won many Awards and accolades within the jewellery industry honouring Sarah with the recognition she deserves, positioning her as ‘the one to watch’ for the future.
“Writers have words to express themselves, and I have my jewellery to share mine.”
Celebrated world-wide for his modern romantic jewels that push the boundaries of contemporary design, Shaun Leane began his career training at the bench in London’s jewellery quarter, Hatton Garden. This grounding enabled him to break entrenched traditions, play with conventions and bring a fresh dynamic spirit to exquisitely crafted, fine jewellery. While working as a goldsmith, Leane began a long-standing collaboration with the late Alexander McQueen, creating provocative catwalk jewels that have become iconic milestones in the art of couture jewellery. This high-profile collaboration acted as a catalyst to Leane’s burgeoning desire to blend technical perfection with creative freedom, and in 1999 he launched the first collections of Shaun Leane Jewellery.
Since then, Leane has been responsible for creating a new genre of jewellery; precious, poetic, with a sense of eternity, yet relevant to today’s world. The powerful, emotive and often poignant beauty of Shaun Leane jewellery is underlined with sentiment, stories and meaning, tapping into the history and heritage of jewellery.
Born in Bonn, Germany Tina lives and creates in London. A fine fashion jeweller Tina Lilienthal has been designing and making her fetish fabulous creations for five years. Over that short time her renowned dead cute jewellery has reached all over the globe and is loved by many eccentric style conscious fashionistas, including Kelly Osbourne, Keira Knightley, Alexa Chung and Davina McCall.
After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2003, she rapidly established herself as designer for bespoke fashion jewellery with an edge. Tina works primarily in plastics and fabrics in combination with precious elements such as silver, gold, and pearls. Conceptually driven her work explores the theological roots of popular culture and dark human nature. Using an unconventional mixture of materials and fashioned iconographic symbols Tina’s collections illustrate themes of love, loss and desire.
Lilienthal bold comic collections have won various prestigious awards and have featured in many major exhibitions across the UK. Tina’s work has a strong presence within the European market and is fast growing into an international fashion brand.
New York native Pamela Love received her BFA from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, majoring in film production with a concentration in art and public policy. After graduating, Love applied her studies and creativity as an artist’s assistant and as an art director and stylist for photo shoots, music videos, and films. Throughout these projects, Love often had difficulty finding jewelry that suited her taste. As a result, in 2006, she began making her own pieces, working primarily out of the basement of her own Brooklyn apartment.
Her innovative, distinctive creations caught the attention of trendsetters worldwide, and her newfound passion became a full-time business. Now working from a studio on 29th Street in New York, Love works with an in-house team who manage all production, public relations, online, and retail sales.
Monica Vinader began creating her eponymous jewellery collection in 2002 whilst working in South America with her husband. She at first focused on creating bespoke pieces for private clients but demand soon grew to a larger audience, and her collections have now been showcased across the UK, Europe, Japan and the US.
Stephen Webster, Founder and Creative Director of Stephen Webster Ltd and a Creative Director of the world’s oldest jewellery house Garrard since 2008, is one of the leading British jewellery designers. Webster’s keen eye for detail, expert craftsmanship and glam-rock attitude has given rise to dramatic creations with an eternally chic aesthetic. Having evolved into a powerful global luxury jewellery brand, Stephen Webster now boasts over 200 points of sale worldwide and 7 boutiques internationally in London, Beverly Hills, Moscow, St Petersburg, Kiev, Vienna and Marbella. Having received countless coveted jewellery awards, Webster has built a dedicated fan base and is a firm favourite with celebrities across the globe; from Madonna to Christina Aguilera, Kate Moss, Sir Elton John, Mickey Rourke and Kate Beckinsale to name but a few.
More to follow!!!
