Ilaria Icardi's jewellery brand is deliciously chic

Jewellery by Ilaria Icardi, as still life and also around model's neck — Jewellery by Ilaria Icardi, including a carnelian and diamond ring, pictured left

(Image credit: Ilaria Icardi)

Ilaria Icardi knows her style. Currently the design director for womenswear at Prada, she has also worked closely with Phoebe Philo, Victoria Beckham and Bottega Veneta, developing a chic and distinctive aesthetic.

Throughout, Icardi has nurtured an interest in jewellery, launching her eponymous brand in 2020. Each piece, handmade to order in Italy, is created with her brother Lorenzo, a gemologist, and encompasses minimalist design and heritage craft. Julia Roberts is a fan – she sports a large selection of Icardi’s jewels throughout Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film, After the Hunt.

Icardi eschews perfection in her pieces, preferring to focus instead on organic forms. ‘I’m drawn to great taste, especially when it’s in contrast with bad taste. In 18ct gold, sometimes rawness and boldness can truly shape the object,’ she says of the offbeat style of her jewellery. ‘I’m always inspired by rediscovering classic pieces from the 1970s and 1980s archives. These are objects you remember, but they’ve been slightly reshaped with new proportions.’

Details are carefully considered throughout, from the ridges on a gold bracelet to a brilliant-cut diamond that sinks, effortlessly, into coloured stones. ‘Jewellery can come with many limitations, but rather than frustrate me, they actually stimulate my creativity. My brother helps when it’s time to judge stones and bring practicality to the development process. I love for my pieces to be worn during the day, mixed into layered wardrobe styling. A good wardrobe is, to me, a clear form of self-definition.’

Icardi relished the recent challenge of translating her jewellery for the big screen. ‘It was a pleasure to see my pieces on Julia Roberts,’ she adds. ‘Giulia Piersanti, the costume designer, chose to place the bracelet and ring to reinforce the character without overwhelming her. I enjoy every step of the creative process. It is always different, always guided by instinct and a reflection of my body.’

ilariaicardi.com

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Hannah Silver is a writer and editor with over 20 years of experience in journalism, spanning national newspapers and independent magazines. Currently Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*, she has overseen offbeat art trends and conducted in-depth profiles for print and digital, as well as writing and commissioning extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury since joining in 2019.