Jewelry as Art – A Report from Milano Jewelry Week 2024
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No other event so strongly underlines that brilliance is the domain of artists. At Milano Jewelry Week, jewelry is showcased like fine art. Grand openings, display cases in elegant palace interiors, conversations with creators, awards for outstanding pieces—all elements come together to celebrate creativity, experimentation, individuality, and the craft of jewelry makers. From this October’s edition of MJW, I bring you dazzling discoveries I’m eager to share with you!
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A rainy atmosphere, subway strikes, nearly an hour waiting for taxis—none of these challenges diminished my joy at Milano Jewelry Week. The sparkle of beautiful jewelry and the smiles of wonderful artists and friends from the jewelry world were the perfect dose of vitamin D and serotonin. The 4th edition of Italy’s jewelry festival attracted over 350 exhibitors from 60 countries. The program included as many as 50 events across different parts of the city—Milano itself radiated with brilliance over these few days!
A Shining Milano
Key highlights of MJW included the Jewelry HUB, showcasing new collections from niche brands, the Talent Show at Galdus School promoting young creators, and my favorite section, Artistar Jewels—an astounding exhibition of art jewelry set within the Palazzo Bovara. This exhibit displayed the work of 240 artists from around the world, with free admission open to all. The glistening week culminated with the MJW Awards gala, where designers and brands were honored in categories like Best in Creativity and Best Jewelry Art & Craft—you can meet all the winners here.
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Designer-Artists – My Discoveries
At the Artistar Jewels exhibits, I wandered with my portable studio: tripod, lamp, phone, and… myself as the model (laughs). My sculptor’s soul found a nourishing nectar here—each jewelry piece I encountered in the halls of Palazzo Bovara is an art object, merging an intriguing story, creative vision, refined materials, unique aesthetics, and, last but not least, masterful craftsmanship. I was endlessly trying on pieces and engaging in conversations. Here are my top, shining discoveries from Milano Jewelry Week!
Alfonso Anzivino – “It’s not work, it’s a calling”
Since I met Alfonso, I keep saying that each of his jewelry pieces deserves an audiobook—it’s mesmerizing how beautifully and passionately he talks about his inspirations and creative process. Coming from a cosmopolitan Italian family, Alfonso trained his aesthetic sensitivity from a young age, admiring architecture, art, and nature. He says he lives with eyes wide open, not to miss any hint of beauty and inspiration around him. Anzivino is a master of detail, exemplified by his stunning “Tempus fugit” necklace—a sculptural collage, a mosaic, a story, rich with surprising details, twists, and colors. Alfonso emphasizes that designing and making jewelry is more than a profession; it’s a calling. For us, privileged to admire and wear the fruits of his imagination, it’s an honor.
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Minh Luong – Jewelry for Free Spirits
When admiring Minh Luong’s sophisticated designs, you wouldn’t guess that she’s a seasoned graduate of prestigious law studies. Minh escaped the corporate world in favor of free creativity, and the spirit of reclaimed freedom is palpable in her jewelry brand’s DNA. During MJW, she promoted the Buddha Ear Collection, an exceptional line of earrings with magnets that allow for multiple styling options. This design is very “on trend”—we love customization and options to express ourselves. Minh Luong’s jewelry is a must-have for dynamic, modern women. I’m captivated by how thoughtfully her project is conceived, combining sensitivity and commitment—Minh is meticulous in choosing materials and stones, and donates a portion of her profits to environmental charities.
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Jarilyn Jewelry – Color, Passion, Love
We connected over… a little mermaid! Captivated by a brooch-necklace design with this fairy tale figure I saw on Instagram, I messaged Jarilyn with congratulations. Offline, we met for the first time at MJW, where she came all the way from sunny California. Jarilyn’s life path could fill a book or two. From her native Malaysia, through Australia, San Francisco, to picturesque Carmel, where she now runs her jewelry salon and develops her brand. Her successes in the beauty industry transitioned seamlessly into a glittering jewelry career. Jarilyn Jewelry collections are bursting with color and joy. Fine materials and skillful craftsmanship carry stories of love, like her latest “Love Clicks” ring line, which expresses both individuality and the beauty of relationships—romantic, familial, and friendly.
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Randa Choueiri – The Power of Movement
Sculptor, jewelry, and interior designer Randa Choueiri hails from Beirut. Her knowledge and experience working with glass are deeply reflected in her jewelry. Organic, wavy forms seem frozen in motion. You’ll find references to the ocean and the mysterious world of the deep sea. Randa masterfully plays with material colors. She often uses pearls, but don’t expect delicate classics paired with a pastel cardigan. Here, pearls are a manifesto of strength, a raw beauty. In Randa’s work, the boundary between sculpture and jewelry is fluid. Forms she uses in rings or necklaces are scaled up to spatial installations—and vice versa. She freely blends different creative disciplines, following the ethos that art, like the ocean, needs no borders.
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SAL Jewelry – A Bit “Too Much”
The founder of SAL Jewelry, Camila Weirich, has a background in fashion, which is immediately apparent—she’s a beautiful, stylish woman! Her fashion sense transfers effortlessly to jewelry, with modern, well-thought-out collections. SAL Jewelry often expresses itself through scale—the forms remain minimalist and refined, but the play with size makes an impact. As Camila said about one of her pieces: “I love that it’s a bit ‘too much,’ as I believe we should be” (I love that it’s a bit “too much,” just as we should be). One of this Brazilian designer’s inspirations is the sensual curves and vibrant shapes of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture. The potential of SAL Jewelry was recognized by the MJW Awards jury—Camila received the award in the category of The Best Trend.
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PHOTO REPORT FROM MILANO JEWELLERY WEEK
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