Italian Design

Marcogino Dall'Avo, owner of La Pepita

La Pepita–
Tuscan Treasure

Essentially the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Tuscany is a charmed land, with an artistic heritage that includes sculpture, painting, architecture, and the age-old tradition of goldsmithing.

By Cynthia Unninayar

Located in the heart of Tuscany, La Pepita continues the tradition of a civilization whose history and culture have truly been engraved in gold. Under the skilful hand of the brand’s designer, Alano Maffucci, traditional hand-crafted creations are given a contemporary touch. Collections range from Etruscan-inspired necklaces and bracelets to pieces evoking the many facets of Nature. “I have always been inspired by particular periods of history. From our historical roots, spring our Etruscan styled creations. I have great admiration for this civilization which excelled in everything, and whose craftsmen were unrivaled in goldsmithing techniques,” explains Maffucci. “Nature has also been a great source of inspiration; I am very passionate about the environment, especially the mountains. I love to see animals in liberty, to listen to the rushing torrents, to feel the cool breeze on my face.”

Karin Mausser, export manager, wearing a necklace from the Breeze collection.

From these mountain breezes comes one of the brand’s most popular collections, aptly named “Breeze.” Fine, hand-crafted, interwoven gold threads and hammered gold elements evoke the patterns made by a breeze in the air. The opaque surfaces emphasize the harmony in the irregular forms that create necklaces, pendants and earrings.

The “My Bridge” line is derived from beautiful bridges suspended over gorges in the mountains. Pieces in the “Nubiana” collection feature hand-hammered gold links that evoke the curved and asymmetric forms of African jewelry. Turning again towards Nature, the brand’s “Wood” collection pays tribute to this basis of life, where each new branch or knot symbolizes a new beginning.

Along with its original gold jewelry, La Pepita also pays homage to platinum. “Since its discovery by ancient Egypt’s enigmatic culture, platinum has been the rarest and most valuable metal on earth,” explains Marcogino Dall'Avo, the president and owner of La Pepita, “and our collections include textured necklaces as well as wedding rings.” The brand has not forgotten that men also like to adorn themselves, and the “Uomo” collection features a series of gold pendants, rings, bracelets, and cufflinks. “The Uomo line is receiving a lot of attention these days,” says Karin Mausser, the brand’s Export Manager, “as men seek to enhance their individual personalities with fashionable jewelry.”

La Pepita jewelry is sold throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and the USA, where it is distributed through the brand’s partner, Platini Jewelry (www.platinijewelry.com). “People everywhere appreciate the artistic and cultural magic of handcrafted jewelry, because it offers something special, combining beauty, creativity, and personality,” adds Mausser. La Pepita is indeed a Tuscan
Treasure.

www.lapepita.com