Giampiero Bodino: Making Jewelry is like Doing a Soul Portrait

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By Yoyo Chiang

September 22, 2016
7:00 am
Los Angeles, CA

"If you’ve been waiting for an invitation, this calligraphy is it. Commissioned by Facebook, this is a hand-lettered design for a poster. Quote is Facebook mine "

- Massimo Vignelli

Giampiero Bodino (blouinartinfo.com) Giampiero Bodino was born in Turin, studied architecture and explored the world of design guided by an exceptional teacher, Giorgetto Giugiaro. Bodino discovered his passion for beauty and the functionality of 3D artwork while creating car sketches for Italdesign. His talent caught the attention of Gianni Bulgari, and he was offered a chance to travel to Rome to develop and further enhance his talent in the universe of jewelry. After 10 years in the Italian capital, Giampiero Bodino met Franco Cologne, a visionary in the luxury world. This meeting led to the opening in Milan of the first studio where he would create jewelry, watches and accessories. Although all these things were happening, he didn’t give up on his first passion: sculpture and painting. Image credit: giamperobodino.com The stones

Giampiero Bodino (blouinartinfo.com)

Giampiero Bodino was born in Turin, studied architecture and explored the world of design guided by an exceptional teacher, Giorgetto Giugiaro.

Bodino discovered his passion for beauty and the functionality of 3D artwork while creating car sketches for Italdesign. His talent caught the attention of Gianni Bulgari, and he was offered a chance to travel to Rome to develop and further enhance his talent in the universe of jewelry.

After 10 years in the Italian capital, Giampiero Bodino met Franco Cologne, a visionary in the luxury world. This meeting led to the opening in Milan of the first studio where he would create jewelry, watches and accessories. Although all these things were happening, he didn’t give up on his first passion: sculpture and painting.

Image credit: giamperobodino.com

The stones talk to you in a way and say, “I want to be something”and we are there just to keep the voice of the stone and transform it into something real. It’s a triumph of colour. For me, it’s the most important thing or, I would say, the reason for buying something. It’s not showing the power or the wealth. You’re wearing something that is emotional and that must give you emotional joy. I have something even classical thing that I like very much in my mind and when I sketch, there is a transformation. Your mind transforms and until the object is finished, you can’t consider that your work is finished.

Giampiero Bodino

His talent and passion brought Giampiero Bodino closer to the Richemont Group, where he began to work in 2000. Two years later, he became the Art Director, overseeing each and every jewel and watch design from the group’s brands that include Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Panerai, IWC and more.

In short, he has shaped the look of luxury for our generation.

In 2011, he began working on his own, supported by Richemont, giving life to the High Jewellery Maison that bears his name. The Maison opened its doors in 2013, bringing 30 years of experience in creating jewelry at the highest level.

Giampiero Bodino calls his clients to Villa Mozart in Milan. He serves them cakes and coffee and while discussing with them, realizes the perfect jewel to express their personality, lifestyle and goals.

Image credit: giamperobodino.com

I like listening to people. Probably I like to listen more than talk. People express themselves, talk about themselves, the way they move, the way they are dressed transmits you some messages. Subliminal messages, I would say. I collect all these elements together, which gives you an idea of the people you have in front of you and what this person wants.

Giampiero Bodino

Villa Mozart was a private residence built in 1930 by architects Aldo Andreani and Piero Portaluppi. It has marble floors and columns, chandeliers that give it an elegant style, while maintaining the look of an impressive house, though not imposing. It has iron gates at the entrance with a simple brass plate, surrounded by ivy, on which is engraved the name of Giampiero Bodino.

The first 64 works of art created by Bodino were inspired by the Italian spirit of which he is very proud. He said his goal is to”create high quality jewelry that reflects the spirit of the Italian heart”. He uses names inspired by the beauty of the Italian nineteenth century: Cammeo, Corona, Barocco, Mosaico, Tesori del Mare.

Image credit: giamperobodino.com

Giampiero Bodino’s study is next to the living room. On his desk are fine watercolors and brushes, plastic figurine collections and other beautiful objects. All are in perfect harmony with the desk and the painted wooden ceiling. They reflect the artist’s ability to combine, in revealing ways, the old with the new.