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Style Letter Italy - Bottega Veneta

BOTTEGA VENETA FIRST COLLECTION OF FINE JEWELLERY

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Bottega Veneta's signature-style 'intrecciato' inspired the brand's first jewellery collection, which consists entirely of woven 18 carat yellow and white gold chains, some set with tiny diamonds. The chains are substantial, with an opulent heft and a complexity of design that becomes evident upon close inspection. Each of the bracelets and necklaces are finished with a large, specially designed clasp shaped like the figure eight to symbolise eternity. Developing this collection from scratch to implementation was a long and demanding process. Bottega Veneta's commitment to superior craftsmanship and gifted artisans required finding a partner with mastery of the most sophisticated goldsmithing techniques.

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After extensive research, Creative Director Tomas Maier and his team found a small, prestigious jewellery manufacturer in Germany with a long history of workmanship. For the ensuring year, Maier worked closely with craftsmen and designers both in Italy and Germany to develop the braided chain and unusual clasp. The resulting design was so complex that it required the resuscitation of classic old tools that hadn't been used in years, as well as the invention of brand new tools. Each chain requires many hours of labour, because the chain links are made of woven golden bands, each band bent, soldered, joined, and polished by hand. It takes one man an entire week to create a medium-length chain!

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"It's extremely satisfying to finally launch this collection." says Creative Director Tomas Maier. "For all of us, the process underlined the importance of artisanal craftsmanship to Bottega Veneta. It was easy to decide to use precious metals and stones, especially since we've been working with sterling silver and semi-precious stones for several seasons. But to find craftspeople who could literally braid gold, and then to create designs that are truly different from what already exists, those were real challenges. In the end, I'm delighted because I think we've created the kind of jewellery our customer wants and expects from Bottega Veneta - pieces that are unique and meticulously made and luxurious in a very personal way."

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