Francesca Amfitheatrof was born to work as Tiffany’s design director.
Since she was 15 years old, this creative dynamo has been enthralled with jewellery making. Growing up as a ‘citizen of the world’, she’s a trained silversmith and jewellery maker who’s lived in both Italy and New York as well as having attended the prestigious Royal College of Art in London.
Taking on everything from perfume making to furniture design, Amfitheatrof has an incredible eye for craftsmanship and is best known for making pieces that evoke both form and function.
During her impressive career she’s created jewellery designs for major fashion houses like Chanel and Fendi.
And that’s just to name a few of her regal accomplishments.
Upon taking up residence at Tiffany last year, she’s been immersed in creating the new “T” collection, which showed up in display cases around the world this fall.
Given the challenge of creating pieces that remained true to the iconic brand that women have worn and admired for close to 2 centuries, the “T” collection pays tribute to the wonderful history of Tiffany’s while taking on a bold new look inspired by the excitement of its birthplace: New York City.
As Francesca best explained:
“’T’ felt like a natural jumping off point for my work here, a very exciting beginning. ‘T’ pays homage to the Tiffany name, but it also has a verticality and angularity that I associate with the energy and intensity of New York.
Tiffany T is sculptural and bold and very closely linked to the architecture of this city. There is a lot of New York in Tiffany T, and by that I mean the relentless movement, optimism, and creativity you find on these streets. This is a place of courage and reinvention that constantly sparks creativity. Honestly, I can’t think of a more exciting place I could possibly be.”
And for anyone who hasn’t yet seen the newest collection, with one look you can’t help but fall in the love with the range of precious stones and metals that have been incorporated. With yellow and rose golds, classic sterling silver, larger cuffs, and more feminine chains, there’s something for every kind of woman.
Even more interesting, taking inspiration from a series of sketches made in the Roaring 20s, there’s a selection of diamonds that will appeal to the lover of old world style that’s been re-imagined for today’s fashionista.
When we asked Francesca who she saw wearing the ‘T’ collection, this was what she had to say:
“The Tiffany woman has a spring in her step. She makes her own rules and she doesn’t conform. Tiffany T is first and foremost modern and makes no apologies for that. It’s for the cool girl about town who’s well informed and has a handle on what’s happening, what’s now. She’s clever and smart and is very certain of herself and her sensuality. What I love about Tiffany T too, though, is that it’s democratic. It’s an attitude, not an age.”
There’s no doubt that we have lots more Tiffany collections to look forward to under the creative direction of this world-class authority on style. And word to the wise, future jewellery designers should take note. This is someone you’ll definitely want to follow.
When we asked her for a few words of personal wisdom on what it takes to get this far, this is what she told us:
“Honestly, you have to be a little relentless. You need a lot of energy and curiosity as well as a bit of an obsessive streak about what’s next, what’s new, what’s on the edge. And you need to be forever excited about what’s possible.”
Sounds exactly right to us. See you at the display case.
Francesca Amfitheatrof’s Google Hangout with Canadian superstar model Coco Rocha.
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All images from Tiffany & co.
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