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Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio Characters
The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
The six characters are seen in their homes in, from left to right, “The Crab” pendant ($11,210), “The Mermaid” pendant ($14,040), the “Keep Dancing Seahorse” pendant ($11,110), the “Keep Dancing Ladybug” pendant ($11,110), the “Secret Dreams” pendant ($9,670), and “The Puffer Fish Takes Flight” pendant ($14,300).
Piedmont, Italy—Francesca Villa debuted her “Fantasia” collection at Couture last month, building on the characters seen in her “Close Encounters” collection.
Fantasia takes the characters from reverse intaglio crystals and transforms them into 3D forms made of titanium, 18-karat yellow gold, enamel, and gemstones including sapphires, tsavorites, emeralds, rubies, iolites, and diamonds.
It all started in 2022 when designer Francesca Villa created her Close Encounters collection, imagining a world of unexpected meetings between creatures from different environments.
In 2023, the collection expanded with the “Make A Wish” chapter where animals like the leopard make a wish for new friends and meet the ladybug and seahorse.
Now, in Fantasia, the mermaid, seahorse, ladybug, and crab set off on their own adventures while the puffer fish with its bird and the whale with his cactus and teacup are the protagonists of their own stories in Villa’s fantastical world.
“It is our ode to whimsy, fun, and fantasy,” said Villa. “Fantasia is made to accompany you to a new world.”
Fantasia takes the characters from reverse intaglio crystals and transforms them into 3D forms made of titanium, 18-karat yellow gold, enamel, and gemstones including sapphires, tsavorites, emeralds, rubies, iolites, and diamonds.
It all started in 2022 when designer Francesca Villa created her Close Encounters collection, imagining a world of unexpected meetings between creatures from different environments.
In 2023, the collection expanded with the “Make A Wish” chapter where animals like the leopard make a wish for new friends and meet the ladybug and seahorse.
Now, in Fantasia, the mermaid, seahorse, ladybug, and crab set off on their own adventures while the puffer fish with its bird and the whale with his cactus and teacup are the protagonists of their own stories in Villa’s fantastical world.
“It is our ode to whimsy, fun, and fantasy,” said Villa. “Fantasia is made to accompany you to a new world.”
“The Mermaid” hoop earrings with rubies, diamonds, enamel, 18-karat yellow gold, and titanium ($3,740)
A “Take a Sip” ring with emeralds and enamel over 18-karat yellow gold and titanium ($4,490)
A pair of “Cherry Blossom” earrings in 18-karat yellow gold and titanium with rubies, yellow sapphires, and enamel ($4,420)
The “Blue Flowers” hoop earrings, which coordinate with the chain designs for each character’s pendant, in 18-karat yellow gold and titanium with orange and yellow sapphires ($5,540)
“The Swimming Puffer Fish” ring with rubies and enamel in 18-karat yellow gold and titanium ($3,840)
“The Whale” hoop earrings in 18-karat yellow gold and titanium with enamel and accents of iolite ($4,660)
“The Twist” ring with red enamel over 18-karat yellow gold ($2,140)
Bringing these six characters to life in three dimensions was a technically demanding feat for Villa’s atelier team in Valenza, Italy, the brand said. Attention was paid to ensure each character was faithful to its original depiction.
The collection’s pendants create a space for each character to call home, crafted with inspiration from the vibrant colors and rich decorations of traditional Mexican nichos—folk art frames in the style of a shadow box.
The miniature homes celebrate the animal’s magical and enchanting souls as perfect dwellings tailored with symbolic details chosen to represent each one, the brand said.
Fantasia also includes earrings and rings that complement the more elaborate centerpiece designs of the collection, like “The Twist” bands and “Cherry Blossom” earrings.
While the floral hoop earrings coordinate with the accents on the chains the pendants are strung on, the character rings feature more animated forms of the characters. On one, the mermaid is seen with her cherry treasures and on another the whale carries his tiny cactus.
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The collection’s pendants create a space for each character to call home, crafted with inspiration from the vibrant colors and rich decorations of traditional Mexican nichos—folk art frames in the style of a shadow box.
The miniature homes celebrate the animal’s magical and enchanting souls as perfect dwellings tailored with symbolic details chosen to represent each one, the brand said.
Fantasia also includes earrings and rings that complement the more elaborate centerpiece designs of the collection, like “The Twist” bands and “Cherry Blossom” earrings.
While the floral hoop earrings coordinate with the accents on the chains the pendants are strung on, the character rings feature more animated forms of the characters. On one, the mermaid is seen with her cherry treasures and on another the whale carries his tiny cactus.
The 25-piece collection ranges from $2,140 to $14,300.
Fantasia first debuted at Couture last month and will be available in September at select retailers and on the brand’s website.
The collection will also launch with a special display at Francesca Villa’s stockist White Bird in Paris for Paris Design Week.
During Couture, Villa also won her second consecutive Couture Design Award, now in the “Best in Pearls” category for her “Eyes on You” pink pearl pendant necklace.
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