Casadei’s first jewelry collection, introduced for spring and designed with Ilenia Corti, is bound to turn heads, reproducing colorful orchids and tropical foliage, tiny monkeys, crocodiles and frogs from the Amazon rain forest. “We’ve worked together on unique, special pieces,” explained creative director Cesare Casadei, who also designed sandals with an adjustable gold metal plaque structure on which the jewels are mounted.
The collaboration came naturally, based on a long-standing friendship with the young Italian jeweler, and a common background: traditional family businesses and Made in Italy production. One design, said Casadei, has pearls manually applied on the brand’s staple blade stiletto heels. “Pearls are associated with necklaces and earrings,” said Casadei. “We wanted the collection to be an expression of creativity, sensuous and refined.”
The pieces are theatrical, he said, “dedicated to French couture in the Eighties; they hark back to that hedonism, and are made to be noticed.” The designer said the animal microcosm is a characteristic of Corti’s jewels.
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“This is a moment of great renewal, and we wanted to do something together,” said Casadei, adding the collaborations with Corti will continue.
The jewels will be available starting in December at Casadei boutiques and on its online store, as well as at Luisa Via Roma and La Rinascente.
Prices range from $475 to around $3,100. A custom bracelet in sterling silver with gold-plating, diamonds and enamel, created by the maison Santagostino of Valenza, retails around $25,000.