AnnAmAriA cAmmilli FirenZe

JEWELLERY INTERVIEW

EXTRAORDINARILY THREE-DIMENSIONAL SHAPES AND VOLUMES, WITH A SPECIAL FINISH ON THE GOLD AVAILABLE IN EIGHT DIFFERENT SHADES

dimensional shapes and volumes, which makes them highly sculptural; and the special finish on the gold, in exquisite colours. The lost-wax casting method means that every item is first made by hand, with a strongly artistic style and without the use of technology. Thanks to the resulting moulds, our original shapes can be reproduced in large quantities and, using microfusion, turned into 18 carat gold. Today’s customers really appreciate this; they seek out and value artisan work, but are often not willing to countenance imperfections due to the limits of hand-crafting. Our method allows us to have items in all our boutiques with the same characteristics and artisan values, but without variations or imperfections.

Tell us more about Aetherna and your famous eight shades of gold.

Aetherna is the result of almost 40 years of specialisation, and today it positions Cammilli as a leader in this type of finish, which has the great advantage of not deteriorating over time, retaining its original quality even after years of wear. The shades of gold are another important aspect; we’ve developed a total of eight colours, ranging from the most common shades of yellow to more unexpected black and beige. This means every woman can choose the shade that works best with her skin tone or simply her own style.

Where does the inspiration come from for such unmistakable design?

The creative team, which still benefits from Annamaria Cammilli’s personal input, finds its inspiration solely in nature, in all its forms. So in Cammilli jewellery there are no straight lines. Another strand of inspiration undoubtedly comes from our city, Florence.

Your most iconic piece, and your latest collection?

Our most iconic piece is definitely our Dune 914 ring, the best-selling and best-known item from our brand. In our latest collection, Velaa Color, the minimalist design of the wellknown Velaa collection meets the vivid colours of rubies, sapphires, emeralds and differentcoloured diamonds, creating a sophisticated chromatic and volumetric arrangement

ARTISAN with the distinctive velvety

CREATIVITY AND Aetherna finish.

LARGE-SCALE The most frequently

PRODUCTION FOR ORIGINAL requested precious stones? In our case, always diamonds, which in our latest collections

JEWELLERY WITH are also available with higher

UNMISTAKABLE carats.

AND IMPECCABLE How long have you been in

STYLE, IN ANY OF THE NUMEROUS Dubai, and what does it mean to you? We’ve been in Dubai for a long BOUTIQUES AROUND time, and it feels like home.

THE WORLD Dubai is the meeting point for the luxury sector, and for a jewellery brand it’s definitely an important showcase.

Tell us about a major future project for your company.

Right now I’d have to mention our new Academy. It’s an innovation in our sector; it will be happening in early 2022 and it consists of opening a new space near our offices, dedicated exclusively to training sales assistants and all sales staff, who for us are primarily customer advisors and influencers, and so we want to educate them perfectly on all our products.

A unique spirit permeates every product conceived, designed, and created by Tonino Lamborghini Casa. It is the ability to innovate while remaining faithful to a tradition of elegant and gritty shapes at the same time

DESIGN INTERVIEW

DESIGN LIKE ME

A JOURNEY WITH DAVID OVERI OF FORMITALIA LUXURY GROUP TO A WORLD WHERE ART, LUXURY AND DESIGN GENERATE POSITIVE ENERGY text Teresa Favi

DESIGN INTERVIEW

A well-established, influential company on the Italian design scene, Formitalia Luxury Group was founded in Tuscany in 1968. It is a story of success and great insights. Like Mirabili, a brand where the boundary between art and design tends to disappear, and the Tonino Lamborghini and Aston Martin licenses with which Formitalia entered the contract sector. As well as a gallery in the most radical chic district of Florence, the Oltrarno, on the piano nobile of the 16th century Palazzo Nazi, where contemporary art marries designer furniture in coherent evolution with the company’s international DNA. A true total living system completely Made in Italy that goes as far as the furnishings of prestigious villas in the most exclusive locations, Formit-

alia Luxury Group has been present in the Emirates, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, since 1997 with its Tonino Lamborghini and Aston Martin li-

censes. We talk about it with David Overi, today at the helm with his brother Gianni.

What are the cornerstones of your products?

Quality, leading brands, fine materials. Charm and luxury increasingly oriented towards minimalist, contemporary design. A modern style where essential lines are enhanced by sophisticated materials and finishes, distinguished by a proudly made in Italy craftsmanship.

What are your assets in Dubai?

We opened the first showroom in Dubai 25 years ago, then with the evolution of the market - especially with our Aston Martin and Tonino Lamborghini licences - we concentrated on big property and real estate projects. We have a particular eye for furnishing private residenc-

es and public spaces, and we work in synergy with architects and interior decorators.

Do you remember your first day with the company?

No, but I remember the first time I saw furniture made by us in Australia. I was studying marketing at Sidney University, still uninterested in the business founded by my father. I was surprised to discover they were his.

A quick word on the Made in Italy concept.

Made in Italy means fashion to me, and it reminds me of our collaboration with Paolo Gucci in the midBROTHERS GIANNI Nineties, the time of his turbulent exit from the family business. It

AND DAVID OVERI marked a watershed in our compa-

AT THE HELM OF ny’s history, fostering the acquisition FORMITALIA AND ITS LICENSED BRANDS TONINO of a feeling for special leathers and stitching and finishes of a certain type. What is the style of the furniture

LAMBORGHINI Tonino Lamborghini and Aston AND ASTON MARTIN Martin? They reveal the identity and the impeccable quality that have always distinguished the two luxury brand, each in its own way. Highly technological details involving the use of carbon fibres and lightweight materials, fine leather finishes and fabrics such as hand-woven boiled wool and cashmere.

What is Formitalia’s goal for the future?

Expand the hotel and real estate market on one hand, and continue our interest in contemporary art on the other.

Which is your Dubai?

I love The Palm, but also the whole downtown area where I often go as the guest of many friends.