FASHTALKS WITH ROMANTICA JEWELRY

When did you know you wanted to become a designer? 

I've always been creative since I was a little kid. For me, it was enough to have a piece of paper and a pencil to be happy and I could spend hours drawing. I was living in my own world. When I started to study fashion and work with my father at his clothing boutique, I didn’t know if I wanted to be a designer, but I knew fashion was my passion. I knew I wanted to create something mine. I always had the vision of building a brand with the ultimate goal to focus on leaving a positive mark on our communities and environment while creating jewelry pieces that enable my customers to be free to express themselves in the way they want to.

What is your earliest design memory for your brand?

I started collaborating with an Italian artisan to create a few pieces for a school project. I made my sketches, and I was able to hand-make a bracelet with pearls for the first time. I was so proud of myself because before then I wasn’t able to create any jewelry, then I made more bracelets and posted them on social media with some of other pieces I found in the Amalfi Coast Italy. I sold out them fast, from that moment I understood that I could transform my passion for jewelry in something bigger. 

Where do you find inspiration?

I have a big imagination. I get inspiration everywhere, however, I love getting inspired from Renaissance and Modern architecture. I’m also very passionate about ancient art and I’m mostly inspired by ancient Byzantine jewelry, the history of the Byzantine Empire fascinates me, but I can say the history of jewelry in general does as well, that’s why I’m looking forward to incorporating more historical pieces in my collection.

“While a fully sustainable jewelry line isn’t possible yet, Romantica strives to improve the environment day by day with our sustainable choices.“

What is your favorite fashion film or show?

I love Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn. It defines my favorite era of fashion. It’s the most icon fashion film, I think every fashion-lover should watch it. 

Do you have a favorite piece that you have designed? 

I’m crazy for the Goddess Necklace because it is made with very particular kind of pearl. I made this piece with collaboration from a Sicilian Artisan in Italy. That’s why I think is more special, but honestly every other piece is just great as this, especially the ones I made by collaborating with artisan women based in Italy.

I wanted to show my Italian origins through my brand, bring my European style to the US. Especially after the pandemic, artisans and craft ship are disappearing in Italy. That’s why I started to think of a way to help. I’m no longer interested to design and create pieces on my own, I discover a way to collaborate with these people and it’s amazing. I’m looking forward to finding more artisans to grow my community and make some incredible unique pieces.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”

What type of sustainable practices does Romantica Jewelry follow? 

Romantica uses recycled elements such as glasses and metals. I always try to pick better choices for my brand. While a fully sustainable jewelry line isn’t possible yet, Romantica strives to improve the environment day by day with our sustainable choices.

“Be a factory by continuously creating and putting your work out there. Don’t be a warehouse, storing work in a dark corner that never sees the light of day.”

How important is social media to your brand?

It’s very important, it’s a great way to connect with existing and potentials customers and help to give me a display, especially for a brand like mine who doesn’t have any physical displays. Most important, it gives the opportunity to set the narrative of who I’m as a brand. Having a substantial digital presence can not only increase my customer awareness, but also work to strengthen my brand by building up credibility.

It’s very important for me to connect daily with my followers to show them not only products and sales, but who is behind the brand. Having conversations with them to know them to building an organic relationship. As you know, my brand is focused on women, I’m building a community to support them, social media allows me to share important supporting messages, it gives me the opportunity to share my ethics.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to a new designer?

Be a factory, don’t be a warehouse.

Swallow your pride and put yourself out there and share your work. Keep making things, try new ways of creating, and take risks. It’s better to keep creating and putting yourself out there so you can get honest feedback and move forward.

So, be a factory by continuously creating and putting your work out there. Don’t be a warehouse, storing work in a dark corner that never sees the light of day.