maria sole ferragamo turns brass shavings into intricate jewelry for elisabetta cipriani gallery

Elisabetta Cipriani x Maria Sole Ferragamo on trame collection

London-based Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery specializing in wearable art and sculpture, introduces Trame (Weaves, Plots), the latest collaborative work with jewelry artist and designer Maria Sole Ferragamo, a beautiful fusion of craftsmanship, sustainability, and the rich heritage of materials. The Italian artist and founder of luxury house SOLE-Studio has taken discarded brass shavings, remnants of the brass manufacturing process, and transformed them into unique jewelry pieces, following the principle of upcycling.

The heart of the project lies in reimagining overlooked materials, giving them a new purpose, and drawing inspiration from the Arte Povera movement, which celebrates the use of everyday and unconventional materials to create art. Originally destined for the melting pot to be repurposed into new brass, the brass shavings have now found new life as Trucioli (shavings), forming intricate designs originating from the object from which it was discarded. This uniqueness imbues the collection with a sense of value and rarity. 

all images by Maria Sole Ferragamo (SO-LE Studio)

video Trame Capsule by Nytte Linnea Kuutsa

Trame repurposes discarded materials into unique pieces

By skillfully crafting brass shavings into unique pieces, Maria Sole has created a collection that emphasizes exclusivity and sustainability. This collection for Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery (see more here) demonstrates the creative potential of upcycling, highlighting how discarded materials can be transformed into wearable works of art. The collection is rooted in a heartwarming family story tied to Maria Sole’s grandfather, Salvatore Ferragamo, an Italian shoemaker who used chocolate wrappers to create weaves during times of leather scarcity. This practice serves as a powerful reminder of humanity’s ability to find beauty and value in challenging circumstances.

Trame (Weaves, Plots) includes four sculptural pieces: a brooch, a necklace, a bracelet, and earrings. Each piece is unique and is available in either a luxurious gold-plated finish or a combination of gold plating with black or white enamel detailing. The intricate weaves in the collection not only reflect the artist’s creative process but also celebrate the strength of women, symbolizing unity and connection. Maria Sole Ferragamo (see more here) carefully handcrafts each piece, valuing the essence of time and artistry involed. In her words, ‘As I meticulously wove each piece by hand, I embraced the value of time and craftsmanship. This collection represents a harmonious blend of ancient aesthetics and forward-looking vision. It has been a journey of self-discovery and pushing beyond my comfort zone, allowing me to grow both as an artist and an individual.’

Trame comprises four sculptural pieces: a brooch, a necklace, a bracelet, and earrings

the interwoven elements in Trame celebrate the empowerment of femininity

the collection highlights how discarded materials can be transformed into unique wearable pieces

Elisabetta Cipriani collaborates with renowned sculptors and painters from around the world to craft unique wearable sculptures using precious materials. Since 2009 the London-based gallery has exclusively collaborated with thirty-three contemporary artists including Ai Weiwei (see our previous article on Rebar in Gold collection here) Carlos Cruz-Diez, Chiharu Shiota, Enrico Castellani, Giulio Paolini, Giuseppe Penone, Ilya & Emilia Kabakov, Jannis Kounellis, Rebecca Horn, Tatsuo Miyajima, Sofia Vari and Giorgio Vigna, among others.

project info:

name: Trame (Weaves, Plots)

designer: Maria Sole Ferragamo, founder of SO-LE STUDIO | @so_le.studio

in collaboration with Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery