There’s a clear difference between bespoke jewelry and customizable pieces. One brings to mind a resplendent piece crafted and molded specifically for you, the other reminds us of, well, charm bracelets. But when Alena Kupriyanova Lotti thinks of personalized jewelry, she combines the two, imagining interchangeable exotic leathers and gemstones designed with 18-karat gold. As the creative director, owner and official ambassador of the Italian house Fortedemarmi, she creates exceptional jewelry and clutches that can be altered daily to match any outfit or occasion.
Working with her husband’s manufacturing company, she established the Fortedemarmi line as a way to give women a truly unique heirloom piece that speaks to them on a personal level. “I have seen many beautiful accessories and jewelry, and I saw that all of them lack soul. They are all about flowers, balls and other things which we can see,” she told JustLuxe. “I find my inspiration from inside. I am inspired by the aura of people and what I can feel around me. I am also inspired by totally eternal things like water, fire, air and earth—the basic elements of our life.” Whatever your inspiration, her jewelry and handbags pieces can be mixed and matched with additional skin textures and colors to create an individual design that speaks to you.
She uses this inspiration to create pieces that she hopes women will love and cherish for generations, which is why she’s so particular when it comes to the materials she uses. “I have chosen the most precious crocodile, alligator and python leather. I find them at the best Italian and international fairs. Some colors used in our manufacturing are so unusual that it can't be found anywhere in the world,” she explained. “For diamonds and other precious stones, I only buy them in Italy, but they come from all over the world. For me, not only is the origin important, but also the color, beauty and aura of each precious stone.” This is especially true for her collection which is comprised entirely of 18-karat gold, colored and white diamonds, emerald, rubies and colored sapphires.
Her designs have graced the necks and wrists of Hollywood starlets, popular socialites and international royalty—all of which she is too modest to name. For her most demanding clients, she creates an entire experience around designing the perfect jewelry or accessories crafted specifically for them. “If a woman wants her own personalized collection by Fortedemarmi, I can personally visit her in her residence in any part of the world. But usually we invite the client to our mansion in Florence, Italy—the beautiful historical Villa Catelletti. We provide a relaxing stay in Italy with an entertainment program while we design a special, personal collection and choose all the materials,” she said.
After discussing what her client is looking for, she’ll sketch out ideas and try to find the best way to highlight a woman’s natural beauty with the exotic skins and gemstones requested. “When it is a custom order, it’s your personal collection and we write your name on it, so it’s no longer exclusively Fortedemarmi, it’s now a collaboration of the brand with a celebrity, royal or with you,” she explained. “You can share your inner feelings and illuminate your beauty in a unique way like nobody else.”
