Latest news with #AmedeoScognamiglio
Emirates Woman
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates Woman
Dubai-based Italian jewellery designer's guide to a La Dolce Vita summer in Capri
Emirates Woman chats with Dubai-based jewellery designer, Amedeo Scognamiglio, about his beginnings – as well as sharing insider tips and hidden gems and insider tips on how to do Capri like a local. Drawing design inspiration from classical Italian heritage, award-winning designers Roberto Faraone Mennella and Amedeo Scognamiglio craft tactile, one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces that have been worn by the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, and Charlize Theron, to name a few. Now, with the Amedeo's recent move to Dubai, he is plotting his next steps for the brand. A high-profile clientele, A-list celebrity customers and the support of prominent industry insiders propelled fine jewellery label Faraone Mennella into the jewellery spotlight. When was the point you realized you wanted to have your own label and designing jewellery could be your career? I am the 6th generation of a family dynasty devoted to the craftsmanship of cameos and coral in Italy since 1857 so jewellery is in my DNA. But when I moved to NYC in my early 20s, Manhattan's art and fashion scene of the 90s started to influence my aesthetics, helping me redefine my design vision. The mix of my Italian classic heritage and the NYC pop culture pushed me to dare and reinvent the design codes I absorbed in my father's workshop. At that point, I felt empowered to not simply keep running a centuries-old family business, but revolutionise that ancient craft making it cool and current. Love Lemons 18kt Diamond Earrings Dhs25,155 available at You split your time between New York, London and Capri then recently moved to Dubai – tell us about this. I split my time between NYC and London while enjoying my summer months in Capri which is home to me and to my 2 brands' flagship stores. After Covid-19, and the tragic loss of Roberto Faraone Mennella my partner and best friend, I felt like I needed to move somewhere where I could start again and not live with the memories. With the help and guidance of my dear Emirati friends, I moved here last year, and I still pinch myself every day how lucky I am. Dubai, to me now what NYC felt in1998: vibrant, energetic, advanced and exciting. For those who are new to the brand, what are your hero designs that are driving sales in the Middle East? Faraone Mennella's iconic pieces, even after 20 years now, are the ones first seen on Sex & The City back then. Stella Collection, our first design, is now our signature and iconic quintessentially Faraone Mennella collection. Over the years, and thanks to our long collaboration with Carolina Herrera, the fashion queen of NYC, we specialized in couture and bespoke high jewellery collections we only sell in our own boutiques and to private clients. Fireworks Earrings Dhs55,094 available at How did you develop your signature technique? Although I am lucky to come from a family tradition and was able to ''experiment'' and learn all the different angles of jewellery making from the very early age of 13 years old. When I design, I think of places, gowns, yachts and parties.. where my ladies will want to wear my jewellery. Roberto Faraone Mennella and Amedeo Scognamiglio Being an independent label, does that limit what you can do? The most discerning and sophisticated luxury shoppers are always on the lookout for niche brands offering a product not seen everywhere. Luxury is about dreaming and holding memories of experiences that can't be replicated. This is what we offer, and the reason why we are able to thrive in a highly competitive market is due to the authenticity and uniqueness we have over the big conglomerates. What have been the highlights of your career so far? A few memorable ones are: designing the jewellery for Sex & The City (2002); being included in TIME Style & Design's 100 most influential designers (2007); Fondazione AltaGamma, Best Jewellery Design award (2020); but above and beyond anything, working with Roberto Faraone Mennella for 20 years, to see our dream of the early days in NYC become a globally recognized luxury brand. Now that I am left alone at the helm, my only reason to work is to prepare our brand's legacy for the future, in honor of Roberto's life. Now it's a luxury brand with a higher purpose. One thing to look forward to in Capri every summer? The annual Faraone Mennella ''Viva Capri'' event! It started in 2012 when we opened. We thought it would only be a party for the official opening, but our clients decided it had to be a yearly reunion. And so every year, the first week of July we celebrate jewellery, summer, and friendship with a truly eventful party with dancing and singing, in the most iconic locations of the island. The best way to spend a lazy summer day in Capri… Don't plan, don't schedule, don't stress. Enjoy the island, the way the ancient Romans did. La Dolce Vita! What's your top tip for travelling to Capri? No need to stress about expensive private transfers from Napoli – enjoy the 50-minute ride with the commercial hydrofoil lines, they are easy, faster, and more comfortable. From Dubai, FlyDubai has direct flights to Naples airport is better than a private jet and makes my life and commute so easy. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied by Faraone Manella; Feature Image: Instagram @pinkines @lespetitepestes
Forbes
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Mother's Day 2025: The Coolest One-Of-A-Kind Gifts
A hand-carved cameo of a beloved Husky, set into a ring. When asked about their ideal gift, many mothers will reply 'you are gift enough.' Great answer, but not totally buying it. It's in our nature to want to recognize Mom (or a Mom figure) with a gift that will wow, and the definition of 'wow' will morph over time. As kids it may be breakfast in bed or a drawing or other hand-made item, which later turns into a really nice dinner out, and even later becomes treasures packaged in boxes in specific shades of blue or orange. What could top that? Something created specifically for her that is truly one of a kind. Here are eight options to consider. All will take time, effort and patience. None will be ready in time for Mother's Day next month, but you can present her with a hand-drawn 'certificate' of what's to come. Just like you did as a kid. A custom cameo by Amedeo. Amedeo Scognamiglio is the sixth generation of a renowned cameo-carving family, founded in 1857 by his great-great-great grandfather in Torre del Greco, Italy. While his family still produces classic cameos, Amedeo's incorporate more modern motifs and contemporary jewelry styles. His 'Create Your Own' program offers the opportunity to have a cameo created in the likeness of yourself, a family member, a cherished pet or (almost) anything else. After a consultation to discuss a client's vision, including portrait references, motifs and/or themes, Amedeo's team will create a sketch for approval. Once approved, the image is hand-carved by artisans in Italy in a process that can take several weeks. Finally, the finished cameo is set into a jewelry design, whether a ring, pendant, brooch, bracelet or even a baseball cap, and delivered to the lucky recipient. Price upon request. Matouk's bespoke bedding program allows clients to choose a fabric, finish and add-ons like appliques or embroidery. Sweet dreams are made of Matouk linens, created to your specifications. The age-old company's customization program allows clients to choose from one of 100 existing fabrics, each available in anywhere from three to twelve colors, to make pretty much anything in the bedlinen (or table linen) category. There's a caveat, however: this is best done through an interior designer or by personally visiting the House of Matouk in New York City, as being able to touch and feel fabrics and see finishing options in real life greatly helps decision making. In addition to a library of fabrics, the company also boasts a large archive of applique and embroidery designs, as well as an impressive assortment of designs and fonts for monograms, with the ability to replicate an existing design. The process generally takes six to eight weeks from the approval of a design. Louis Vuitton offers a bespoke fragrance service. For a Mom into luxury goods and perfume, a unique fragrance created by a legedary nose for an equally legendary house is a win-win. Said nose is master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, the house is Louis Vuitton, and this service might be their best-kept secret. The 'Made-to-Measure fragrance experience on the French Riviera,' begins with an overnight stay at Les Fontaines Parfumées and dinner with the master perfumer himself. During Mom's time here, she'll work with him to create an 'olfactory portrait,' based on her perfume habits, tastes, lifestyle and even memories. From there, the master perfumer draws from his extensive knowledge and experience to develop several formulas in his atelier; samples are sent to Mom and a back-and-forth may ensue over the course of a year. The end result — four 100ml bottles, three 200ml bottles, a 100ml travel case, a travel spray and 16 refills — is delivered in a trunk that was hand-crafted in Louis Vuitton's Asnières workshops. Mom's exclusive formula will forever be archived at Les Fontaines Parfumées, making refills a breeze. Price upon request, Louis Cotton Candy Swirl surfboard by Proctor Surf Todd Proctor of Proctor Surf has been shaping surfboards for over three decades. The California native, whose shop is in Ventura, shaped his first boards in a shed in his grandfather's back yard in 1991 and started his own label the next year. Proctor specializes in custom boards, which he crafts for every experience level and wave types all over the world. He'll speak directly with Mom to discuss her surfing journey, body mechanics, goals and wave type, and advise her on the best board to suit her needs. Further customization comes in the artful finishes, whether resin art and sprays by Todd himself to standard airbrushes, and even one of Mom's photos, digital art, or paintings (they print those on special material and laminate into the boards). Lead time ranges from 8 – 12 weeks. Prices vary greatly so it's best to contact the shop for an estimate. A cameo portrait by artist Doug Meyer Doug Meyer is a Hudson Valley, New York-based artist and designer who broke the internet when he started posting cameo portraits he created — colorful, multi-dimensional profiles, adorned with semi-precious stones, agates, crystals, abalone, colored plexi-glass and even pieces of mirror. They created a big of a frenzy, garnered a lot of media attention, and commissions galore. Meyer works from photography provided by the client (or taken by him, if the meeting happens in New York City, which he prefers). He'll ask about colors they like, or don't, and then gets to work hand crafting their cameo using a proprietary technique that he spent three years developing. The result is a 24-inch round colorful creation, a one-of-a-kind art piece and future heirloom. From $6,000. Inquiries: dougmeyerstudio@ Sterling Silver cutlery by Heath Wagoner Heath Wagoner went to school to be a painter, but took a small metals course and fell in love. We now reap the benefits of his pivot in the form of beautiful barware, cutlery and objets that he crafts in his Brooklyn studio. There are plenty of exceedingly gift-able pieces — cocktail picks, an egg set, a bolo tie — but the ultimate luxury is undoubtedly a set of custom designed and crafted cutlery (the pieces shown above were inspired by the flatware of Alexander Calder). The process begins as all the aforementioned do, with a meeting to learn as much as possible about a client's preferences, which could include an excursion (if in New York City) to see silver tableware currently offered at luxury retailers or showrooms, as well as a mini history lesson on the category. Some clients have family pieces they love, don't love, or want refabricated or reinvented. Others want their own design. Wagoner creates watercolor sketches, then samples in silver-plated brass, and the final product in sterling silver. Production begins upon approval of samples, and timing varies depending on how many pieces are ordered. Smythson In today's digital age, a hand-written note stands out more than ever before. And as with almost every other category of product, there are varying levels of quality. Search Etsy and you'll find a plethora of companies providing perfectly fine 'ready-to-wear' personalized notecards and the like. Couture is a completely different story, and there are just a few purveyors. Smythson, a company founded over 130 years that holds multiple Royal Warrants, is one of them. Their specialty is engraved stationery, meaning a copper plate, engraved with client's details, is used for printing (and the letters are visibly raised). There are a variety of fonts and lettering styles to choose from, as well as colors. The piece de resistance is the envelope, which is fully lined in tissue that, naturally, matches the color used on the notecard. (Worth noting: while Smythson can duplicate your monogram, they don't offer bespoke monogram design. If you'd like to commission one for Mom, read this post about one of the best in the business). Private Label Private Label is a London and Dubai-based company that customizes luxury timepieces for the 1%. This can range from the simple (changing the color of a dial) to ceramic coating in a custom color (see the pink Audemars Piguet below) to completely encrusting watches in stones, as they did with the Rolex, above (those are orange and red sapphires on the dial, case and bracelet). Private Label There' the option to buy a timepiece they've already customized (they are experts at sourcing even the most rare models), or having them work their magic on a watch Mom already owns. Pieces take anywhere from 2 – 8 weeks to customize. Some excellent examples are on their Instagram; info and inquiries at
