By Rayan Innue

Launched at the Couture show only last June, the Italian brand Opera Omnia has risen onto the international stage of fine jewellery at a very rapid pace.

Founded only a year ago with its colourful and creative Saba, Canouan, and Coral Reef collections, Opera Omnia has today added two important new collections that draw inspiration from the islands of the Caribbean—Antigua and S.Barth. With its curved lines, sinuous movements, and interwoven baroque patterns, Antigua conjures up a mix of symbolisms, cultures, and mysticisms. The artistry and virtuosity of each Antigua piece is highlighted by the unusual combinations of a variety of different gemstones. Amethyst joins Madera quartz, for example, while citrine couples with smoky quartz in unusual and original settings. The ensemble evokes a world of allegorical illusions of faraway beaches and palm trees swaying in the breeze. The attentive melange of 18K yellow and rose gold breaks the bonds of tradition and gives new life to the concept of fine jewellery. Constructing an exclusive and total relationship with Nature, the S.Barth collection is composed of small wearable sculptures that reflect the delicate movement of the island’s flowers and leaves. The soft, yet assertive, forces of Nature come alive in gentle and sensual shapes crafted in 18K rose or white gold. Intensely feminine, these colourful and airy pieces bring together the finest rubies, sapphires, and diamonds incorporated into creatively contemporary combinations.

Innovation, new materials, high quality gemstones, Italian craftsmanship, and unique combinations of gems and precious metals describe not only Opera Omnia’s latest collections of Antigua and S.Barth, but also the original and evolving Saba line of fine jewellery. Continuing the use of colour and the geometric forms of its earlier lines, it has added today a very contemporary flair in terms of design and vibrancy. Saba is also a monument to Nature’s best—above and below the surface of the sea. Lively chromatic combinations of 18K pink gold crafted into squares with softened edges, jet, multi-colour sapphires, and tsavorite are the natural echoes of an island paradise.

While the emphasis is placed on the brand’s Antigua, S.Barth, and Saba lines, Opera Omnia is also continuing its popular Canouan line. Inspired by the southern Antilles and the varied landscape of green hills, secluded bays, and white sand beaches, it features such gems as white and brown diamonds, tsavorite, amethyst, prasiolite, and garnet in simple and clean designs. Again drawing inspiration from the marine environment are pieces in the Coral Reef collection. In various shapes, these jewels are covered with diamond pavé or hand-finished mother-of-pearl, highlighted with pink sapphires, chalcedony, and other coloured gemstones.

As for the wearer of the brand’s original pieces, the Opera Omnia woman can be classified as “an individual who is self-confident, dynamic, cosmopolitan, and very often a self-purchaser. She is proud to reveal the different aspects of her personality,” describes Massimo Zerbini, co-founder of the brand, who has grown Opera Omnia from a single idea to a major jewellery brand in less than a year.

How did the growth of the new brand—rapid by any standards—happen? “We started with an idea, and then assembled the finest artisans and designers to create a remarkable team, totally focused on building this new, strong, and distinctive brand identity based on a style and set of values that reflect the post-modern world of ultimate luxury,” explains Zerbini. “By incorporating precious gems and only the highest quality materials, Opera Omnia has already achieved a prestigious status for its superior design, stone quality, and superb manufacturing.

While designing a wonderful product is one thing, distribution is another. In this domain, Opera Omnia is working only with select retailers. The brand’s strategy and co-marketing activities for 2011 are focused on three pillars: working closely with retailers to support them throughout their business development; having a consistent communication plan to help increase awareness and visibility of the Opera Omnia brand with retailers’ final customers; organizing local events to enhance the importance of the brand, its brand image, and identity at the point of the sale.

Among the local events that have taken place are the European preview held during a fashion night at the prominent Studio Vigato Contemporary Art Gallery in Alessandria, Italy, and a presentation at a high-end yacht show in Florida, as well as various trunk shows. A number of other events are planned for this year. In terms of major trade events for 2011, Opera Omnia was present at BaselWorld in March in the very prestigious Hall 2.2, and will be present at the by-invitation-only Couture Show at Wynn Las Vegas in June.

Rarely does the jewellery industry experience such an amazing new luxury brand, one that offers so much colour and creativity.

operajewels.com