GEOMETRY ALWAYS WORKS: MOSAICO CUFF BY GIAMPIERO BODINO
Design is not for philosophy – it's for life.
Issey Miyake, Japanese fashion designer
Giampiero Bodino does not believe in half measures. His designs are bold, daring, luxurious and inspired by the vibrant culture of his beloved Italy.
This passion, which sparked under the guidance of the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro – a famous Italian automotive designer who had previously worked both on supercars and on everyday vehicles such as Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lamborghini, Ferrari, BMW and Volkswagen – has propelled Giampiero to the forefront of the luxury world and pushed him to develop a deep understanding of the importance of form and function.
The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity.
Alberto Giacometti, Swiss sculptor and painter
Each Giampiero Bodino piece is a statement of love for the beauty of three-dimensional volumes and shapes that he discovered during his early years designing cars. The allure of jewelry led him next to Rome where he lent his talent to none other than Gianni Bulgari – a member of the Bulgari's family of jewelers, who led the eponymous brand from the 1960s to 1980s.
Ten years later, Bodino found a mentor in Franco Cologni, a collector, philanthropist and luminary in the luxury world, and followed him to Milan to open his first studio for the creation of jewelry, watches, and accessories. Bodino's appointment as Art Director for Richemont Group in 2002 marked a turning point in his career.
With almost three decades of experience in jewelry design, Bodino now presides over his own High Jewellery Maison, a venture that took off in 2011 with the backing of Richemont – a Switzerland-based luxury goods holding company.
You may have the universe if I may have Italy.
Giuseppe Verdi, Italian composer
An intimate fusion of modern sensibilities and Italian culture, the Maison is the tangible embodiment of Bodino's creative vision.
Nestled in a serene corner of Milan is a magnificent 1930s building, the Villa Mozart. With marble floors, grand columns, an idyllic garden and artistic atmosphere, it mirrors the artist's opulent creations. Here, clients are privy to the personal touch that Bodino insists on, producing for each the perfect jewelry piece.
Bodino's jewelry is vibrant with life and color, seamlessly blending past and present. With every piece that leaves the Maison, Bodino aims to create contemporary and artistic high jewelry with an Italian heart. His vision to deliver a more personal, experiential form of luxury to his clients aligns with the emerging trends in the high jewelry world.
Geometry is the right foundation of all painting.
Albrecht Durer, German painter and printmaker
The role of geometry in art has been fundamental and transformative, becoming the cornerstone of various artistic movements and schools, from the rigid lines of Bauhaus to the nebulous forms of Abstract Expressionism. Currently, the art world is witnessing a significant resurgence of geometry, creating a rich tapestry of works that explore shapes, lines, and forms.
Jewellery plays a substantial role in this geometric renaissance. Giampiero Bodino has leveraged the timeless allure of these principles to create ornaments that push the boundaries of traditional aesthetics.
Exemplifying modern glamour with a touch of the ancient, the Green Mosaico Cuff by Giampiero Bodino stands out with their audacious, geometric and rhythmic patterns, echoing Byzantine mosaics imbued with a 21st-century flair.
The chromatic juxtaposition of effervescent, electric green chrysoprase with the luscious, violet undertones of sapphires creates a visual spectacle as arresting as it is enchanting.
I think you should wear jewels in a more modern way. You can wear them with an haute couture dress but at the same time I have nothing against the idea of wearing an absolutely amazing jewel with a white t-shirt. I think it's very simpatico.
Giampiero Bodino in an interview to The Jewelry Editor
Every masterpiece tells a story, and Bodino is a master storyteller. He weaves narratives around Italian heritage, combining elements from both the past and the future, the traditional and the contemporary. In his collections, you can find everything from bold necklaces that echo the grandeur of Italian Baroque, to subtle yet striking pieces inspired by the mosaics of Ancient Rome.
Bodino believes in modernity and adaptability, even in the context of high jewellery. He envisions his pieces worn not only with haute couture dresses but also with something as casual as a white t-shirt. In his world, an exquisite jewel is not restricted to formal occasions but can become a part of one's everyday life.
