Cover Actress Sarah Lahbati pictured with the woman behind Nanis Italian Jewels, Laura Bicego (Photo: Courtesy of Visions & Expressions Publicity and Special Events)
Actress Sarah Lahbati pictured with the woman behind Nanis Italian Jewels, Laura Bicego (Photo: Courtesy of Visions & Expressions Publicity and Special Events)
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The latest jewel in the Rustan’s crown, Nanis Italian Jewels, opened to an exclusive gathering last October 26. Founder Laura Bicego talks about her artistic philosophy and the inspiration behind some of her coveted pieces
Rustan’s Silver Vault celebrated the arrival of its latest addition, Nanis Italian Jewels, last October 26 with an intimate gathering of jewellery enthusiasts. Attendees were treated to a breathtaking trove of fine gold pieces, all bearing the brand’s distinctive yet elevated aesthetic.
Nanis is a fine jewellery company founded in 1990 by Laura Bicego and her husband, Piero Marangon. Its motto, “Fabbrica del lusso Italiano contemporaneo” (Factory of Italian contemporary luxury), encapsulates the essence of the company’s unique philosophy.
Fusing heritage with artisan craftsmanship, the luxury brand is known for challenging the traditional method of Italian jewellery-making with contemporary twists, offering exquisite, adaptable pieces for the modern, sophisticated woman.
More from Tatler: A tribute to heritage: Jewelmer’s Pamana Brooch
Above Anton Huang, Executive Vice President of Rustan Commercial Corporation and Laura Bicego, Founder and Creative Designer of Nanis Italian Jewels
Above Nanis Italian Jewels at Rustan's Makati Silver Vault
Anton Huang, Executive Vice President of Rustan Commercial Corporation and Laura Bicego, Founder and Creative Designer of Nanis Italian Jewels
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Co-founder and creative director Laura Bicego comes from a family of jewellers. Growing up in Vicenza, Italy (the country's capital of gold), she watched her father run his goldsmith company.
What was fascinating to her was the vibrancy and versatility of gold material, as well as the emotional, familial aspect of quality jewellery. She is attracted to the idea of having a story behind a piece of jewellery and how it could be passed down from generation to generation.
Bicego states, I wanted something [a piece of jewellery] that doesn't bore, that I can wear in any situation, no matter if I'm spending the day outside or at a party. It should be a piece that you want to wear all the time, even in a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt.
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Above A multi-stone gold ring from Nanis Italian Jewels' 'Reverse' collection
Above Contemporary luxury design as seen in Nanis Italian Jewels' 'Elite' collection
A multi-stone gold ring from Nanis Italian Jewels' 'Reverse' collection
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Women serve as Bicego’s greatest inspiration when designing jewellery.
I find women empowering. So true and so beautiful. Joy is the [accurate] key word for me. It’s what I want to give to women who wear my jewellery.
When I put a necklace on a woman and see her eyes in the mirror, I know I’ve done my job.
Above Sarah Lahbati wearing the 'Ivy' necklace
Above Ella Pangilinan wearing the 'Libera Icon' gold necklace chain
Sarah Lahbati wearing the 'Ivy' necklace
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Versatility is at the core of Nanis’s identity—and Bicego’s philosophy as an artist. I started my company 33 years ago with this goal in mind. Back then, nobody was talking about versatility.
A noteworthy piece in Nanis’s collection is the Trasformista, a dazzling convertible 18-carat gold bracelet that changes shape as you unfasten it. For Bicego, “this concept is the company's DNA.”
The convertible aspect of the Trasformista was discovered by mistake. We were putting together the necklace, and then it fell. I saw a sparkle in it, so we started engineering the bracelet that way.
I’ve always wanted to connect fashion with truth. There’s a fantastic way of mixing the two things—the emotional and the technical faces of jewellery.
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Images: Visions & Expressions Publicity and Special Events
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
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Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
