Creating Origin, Passion, and Beliefs

May 2014

Creating Origin, Passion, and Beliefs

May 2014

By Cynthia Unninayar, Editor-in-Chief, CIJ Trends & Colours magazine

The Fiera di Vicenza and UK-based Not Just A Label (NJAL), the world’s leading designer platform for showcasing and nurturing today’s pioneers in contemporary fashion and accessories, joined forces to create a totally new and innovative expo workshop.


Leather outerwear by Chromat (USA), which began in 2010 as an extension of designer Becca McCharen’s degree in architecture. It specializes in structural experiments for the human body.

Launched in May 2014 in conjunction with VicenzaOro Spring and located in the fair’s new and very modern Pavilion 7, Origin Passion And Beliefs (Origin) brought together 100 designers from 38 countries who showcased their products in four main categories: Leather, dedicated to leather accessories, bags, shoes, and clothing; Stone, involving the world linked to the creation of jewellery and the use of different materials, from gold to titanium, with production experts from the gold and jewellery industry; Technology, reserved for hi-tech innovations, from display systems through 3D printing technology applied to fashion accessories and even eyewear; and Textile, featuring designers with creative, original, and futuristic proposals in the clothing industry. Each sector comprised 25 designers who showcased their creations and had the opportunity to meet with Italian manufacturers, independent brands, and specialist suppliers.


Left: Spider back-necklace in silver and gemstones by Mario Salvucci Jewellery (Italy). In addition to his own line, Mario has designed private label collections for Ann Taylor and The Gap, among Others. Always researching new materials, he has expanded his creative field into fabrics and interior design Right: Bronze “Owl Talon” ring by Eilisain Jewelry (USA). Designer Lisette Fee uses the ancient method of lost wax casting to create pieces of jewellery immortalizing the beauty and strength of animals such as the owl, crow, deer, badger, and bear.

According to show officials, the goal of the event is to set up a network of relationships and new business opportunities with buyers from the most sophisticated end of the retail and luxury goods sectors, focusing on the skill sets that participants at the event have to offer. The expo workshop has been devised as a platform for interconnection, where skills from every area of fashion and accessories, including jewellery, come together synergistically in terms of creativity, technical production, and materials.


Left: Hedonistic headpiece by Little Shilpa (India). Drawing inspiration from local influences, this collection transforms a vintage thought into a modern product using varied raw materials Right: Vibrant bio-psychedelic outfit by Nixi Killick (Australia). With a focus on visceral art prints intersecting future shapes, the brand uses fashion to open a dialogue for distilling visions of the potential in the unfamiliar. Nixi says, “If it’s not in the future, it doesn’t exist.”

“Origin Passion And Beliefs is the meeting of two universes of Italian manufacturing excellence: high-end accessories and fashion. This initiative fits into the DNA of our company, which today is applying innovative solutions to exhibitions, with the aim of encouraging exploration of new, high-potential market segments,” stated Matteo Marzotto, President of Fiera di Vicenza. “Origin is certainly a top-notch step forward in this direction. It is an innovative and exciting format that provides cross-fertilization among the most innovative players of the global market.”


Left: “Tuxedo Moon” ladies’ shoe by Sophie Cox (Australia). After studying Industrial Design, Sophie turned towards the relationship between shoes and design innovation. Before graduating from the London College of Fashion in 2009, she won the Drapers Student footwear designer of the year award Right: Colourful “Paradise” digitally printed silk scarf by Lucy Jay (UK). With an aesthetic steeped in variations of bejewelled symmetry and vigorous pattern, Lucy’s scarves have been featured The Financial Times’ How To Spend It and NY Magazine’s The Cut.

“This is not merely an exhibition,” commented Stefan Siegel, founder of NJAL, “but a place where young designers of accessories and fashion can exchange ideas with Made-in-Italy experts. We selected 100 designers out of the 15,000 that NJAL represents, who are some of the most interesting creators in the world.”


Left: Combination smart phone case and micro-clutch by Touscé (Italy), a creator of transformable jewellery and accessories handcrafted in Italy in a variety of colours and fine materials Right: Colourful leather handbag by Venetus (Italy). Created by Franco Gonzato and Gigliola Trentin, Venetus is a dynamic company that constantly finds new sources of inspiration in nature, fairy tales, legends, fine arts, and the historical and cultural heritage of the Veneto Region.

Alongside the emerging designers and independent brands, Origin also featured a number of exclusive Italian companies including: Bonotto SPA, the very top in fabric manufacture and processing; Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua with long-standing experience in the production of fine art fabrics and draperies; Stephen Venezia, a brand specialized in luxury designer hosiery for women; Pier SPA, internationally renowned for the high quality of its luxury fashion; Intertrade Group, which deals in rare and luxury perfumes all over the world; and the exhibition “Corporeality, Jewellery According to Gianfranco Ferre” with fifteen pieces created by the celebrated designer in a display organized by Maria Luisa Frisa.


Left: Earrings made from recycled aluminium can tops by Carmina Campus (Italy). Created by Ilaria Venturini Fendi, Carmina Campus creates fashionable items from repurposed “waste” items Right: Gold finger glove by Imogen Belfield (UK), who creates textural and organic jewellery sculptures. She was named by Vogue Italia as one if its “Vogue Talents” this season.

Another special guest of Origin was Carmina Campus, the brand founded by Ilaria Venturini Fendi for creating bags and accessories made from recycled materials. Almost eight years after its inception, Carmina Campus continues to research waste materials resulting from manufacturing and consumption, finding potential ways they can be repurposed to create original and environmentally friendly objects.


Left: Eyewear decorated with sterling silver skulls by Jade Chiu (USA). Jade’s creations are based on fusion as a bridge to convey eastern art and beliefs in western forms. The body/face adornment pieces are imaginative pop surrealism, an edgy fashion-forward style Right: Handcrafted oxidized silver and gemstone ring by Margherita (Lebanon). Margherita creates unique architectural pieces, and was a finalist in the ITS 2012 Jewellery competition in Trieste and recently exhibited at the Capsule Show during Berlin Fashion Week 2014.

On the last day of the show, Origin was transformed into Europe’s largest temporary store, as its doors were opened to a public of enthusiasts and fashion aficionados.


Left: Colourful fashion by Nguyen Cong Tri (Vietnam). A leading Vietnamese couturier, Cong Tri re-creates Vietnamese fashion using traditional techniques, modern motifs, and complex materials. His haute couture Collection #6 debuted at London Fashion Week (2013) as part of the International Fashion Showcase. He mentors young designers in hopes of building a viable fashion industry in Vietnam Right: A variety of fashion-forward jewellery in gold and gems designed by Gabriela Rigamonti (Italy). Thinking outside the norm, Gabriela‘s pieces range from ancient tribalism to eccentric modernity. All her pieces are produced in Vicenza.