Central St Martins | Collaboration | designer collaboration | Fashion | Fashion collaboration | Jewellery | Lady Gaga | Roksanda Ilincic | Topshop | Urban Outfitters
Maria Francesca Pepe – my new favourite jewellery brand
I first came across the work of the Italian jeweller Maria Francesca Pepe (MFP for ease) a while back when I was browsing the My Wardrobe website and fell in love with her beautiful pearl cuffs. I then realised that she had done an affordable collaboration with Urban Outfitters designing very on trend gold jewellery, perfect for the festival season.
MFP hails from Southern Italy and studied Fashion Design at the renowned Institute Marangoni, graduating in 2003. After working as as a freelancer for two years, she studied Womenswear at Central St Martins under the instruction of the late, great Professor Louise Wilson. She found herself doing more and more avant-garde fashion jewellery and worked at Vivienne Westwood for a year before setting up her own company. The Head Office is in London, however the jewellery is all made in Italy.Many awards followed, including Vogue Talents (in Italian Vogue) and a nomination for Emerging Talent in the British Fashion Awards. Collaborations with Roksanda Ilincic for the catwalk, Wolford, Topshop and Lady Gaga ensued, as well as the latest UO venture.
The design brief is sleek and sharp, with geometric designs incorporating symbolism and an art deco slant. After six years in the business, the brand has built up a loyal customer base and celebrity following, with Kate Moss, Beyonce and Rita Ora seen wearing MFP pieces. Both older clients and the younger crowd are catered for with a wide range of high end and contemporary fashion jewellery which is at the same time both classic and edgy.