Mar 18 2026
Interview: FOPE Creative Director Claudia Piaserico
By Defined Team
The DEFINED team sat down with Claudia Piaserico, Creative Director of FOPE, to explore the emotional language of jewellery, the quiet power of heritage, and the realities of shaping a modern luxury house. Raised in Vicenza — a city synonymous with fine gold craftsmanship — Piaserico brings both instinct and intellect to her role, balancing poetic inspiration with the precision of large-scale production. In this conversation, she reflects on the intimate connections we form with jewellery, the influence of culture and travel on her creative process, and the ongoing challenge of designing pieces that feel as effortless as they are enduring — worn not just for occasion, but as an extension of everyday identity.
DEFINED:
You grew up in Vicenza surrounded by jewellery culture. Do you remember the first moment you became aware of jewellery not just as an object, but as a language?
Claudia:
Vicenza is one of the four ancient gold districts in Italy and is the most famous for its tradition in gold chain manufacturing. It is a very important place for me because your home environment is the first place from where you can take inspiration. My family owns a family business in jewellery, so it meant that since I was very young, I was playing with jewellery. The very first piece that I really loved was a special bracelet of my grandmother's. I remember when I was very young looking at that bracelet and wanting it for myself, thinking that one day it will be mine, and it will mean that I get to keep my grandmother close to me.
DEFINED:
There's that emotional connection?
Claudia:
Yes, it has a strong emotional connection because it's a bridge between the past and the future. It means that my grandmother still lives on with me.
DEFINED:
Where does your inspiration come from — is it architecture, movement, engineering, emotion?
Claudia:
It's very difficult to understand the origins of design inspiration. Sometimes it could be something as simple as Springtime when you feel suddenly alive again. At other times it could be from looking at architecture that inspires you towards a certain shape, but usually my first inspiration comes from observing society. As a jewellery designer I must understand what I need to suggest to people for them to be interested in buying something new. Sometimes people have new needs, or sometimes, as is the case with FOPE's new designs for 2026, it is the need to relate to your origins. Travelling is also one of the most important sources of inspiration for me, I find it incredibly inspirational to meet people, speak with them, observe and try to understand different cultures. For example, how different cultures traditionally combine colours can bring new design ideas.
DEFINED:
What excites you the most about starting something new?
Claudia:
I wouldn’t describe it as exciting so much as challenging. I can imagine in my mind the first draft of an idea. Then when I start designing, it is just the shape of the mood, of the inspiration. But then comes the next stage, when you start producing the first prototype, there is the entire design process of realising what technical challenges need to be faced to produce the finished piece. At FOPE we need to industrialise the process of creating jewellery so there are a lot of needs to fulfil. I mean, you need to understand that the process needs to be fast and very efficient, so you need to adapt your idea to the needs and capabilities of the factory. I always think that when a jewellery designer creates just one piece, it can be fun, because you can create something in a very free way, without all the external conditions that exist when you are creating pieces to be produced in quantity for a luxury brand.
DEFINED:
What is the emotional core of the new collection? If you had to describe it as a personality rather than a product, who would it be?
Claudia:
The most appropriate word is contemporary, but not because of the design, but because of the concept that we have at FOPE of producing fine jewellery that is designed to be worn every day, not just for special occasions. It is important to feel comfortable when we wear jewellery, because we need to wear something that can be worn all day, from morning to night. This also means that it must be adaptable. For example, creating a style of jewellery that can be worn out for an evening dinner, but also fits in with how you dress for your working life during the day. So it's contemporary because it fits very well with the needs of our daily job and life, yet it is also precious and sophisticated enough to elevate a more formal look.
DEFINED:
Jewellery can be armour, intimacy, status, memory. What do you believe jewellery should give the wearer today?
Claudia:
I think that it gives strength. We express our personalities through our fashion choices, and the selection of jewellery makes our outfit work in a personal way. I can wear this piece of jewellery with what I am wearing today and I send you a message. Maybe someone else might wear the same piece of jewellery but styles it in a different way. It is the same jewellery but the message would be different. FOPE's jewellery is designed with that adaptability in mind, it takes on different meanings according to the wearer's own personality.
DEFINED:
How do you feel when you're wearing jewellery?
Claudia:
I feel complete. I travel a lot and I need to bring my jewellery selection with me because it completes my look. For example, yesterday I went shopping and I knew I needed a new pair of earrings to go with the outfit I am wearing today, it completes an outfit but it also completes myself.
DEFINED:
It's your whole world, isn't it?
Claudia:
A lot of people always tell me, 'Claudia, but look at the ladies around you, who is wearing jewellery?' For example, if you are at a restaurant and you look at the other tables, you might observe that very few women wear a lot of jewellery. But maybe it is because I grew up with jewellery that it is in my soul.
DEFINED:
It's your whole soul. I love that.
Claudia:
And I always try to put jewellery on other people.
DEFINED:
You can put jewellery on me anytime. Haha. And I feel like that was just such a perfect ending to that interview, thank you so much.