Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry CatalogSponsored by Tasha R
TrendsJul 28, 2016
Lito Goes Graphic with ‘Infinite’ Jewelry Collection
The latest offerings from the Greek jewelry designer are a vast departure from her signature motifs.
A 14-karat rose and yellow gold bracelet with opal from designer Lito’s new infinite collection. Lito Goes Graphic with ‘Infinite’ Jewelry Collection
Athens--Despite Greece’s small size, it can sometimes feel like there are as many talented jewelry designers as there are idyllic islands within the country’s borders.
Athens-based Lito Karakostanoglou is the creative force behind fine jewelry brand Lito, which is carried by stores like Twist and Broken English and online at Net-a-Porter.
The brand is known for several signature motifs: a requisite evil eye, which is, despite the symbol’s ubiquity, one of the most hauntingly unique pieces of jewelry out there; its original scarab wing collection; and the hive range, which features rose-cut diamonds grouped into hypnotic patterns that most closely resemble strands of DNA.
Lito’s latest offering for fall 2016, the Infinite collection, is a far cry from Karakostanoglou’s typically intricate designs.
Rendered in 14-karat gold and diamonds, with the exception of one show-stopping bracelet that features a large opal, Lito has veered towards basic but impactful shapes with Infinite.
Two views of Lito’s 14-karat yellow and rose gold bracelet with cabochon-cut opal ($6,180)
“It’s all about simplicity,” explained Karakostanoglou. “It’s bold in its simplicity.”
“It’s all about simplicity,” explained Karakostanoglou. “It’s bold in its simplicity.”
From left, a 14-karat yellow gold hoop earring and 14-karat rose gold hoop earring ($3,470 per pair)
A 14-karat rose and yellow gold cuff ($1,770)
Lito’s 14-karat yellow gold earrings ($2,070)
A 14-karat yellow and rose gold earring ($1,000)
From left, a 14-karat rose gold lariat necklace ($730) and 14-karat yellow gold lariat necklace with diamonds ($2,930)
A 14-karat rose gold and diamond ring ($4,240)
“It’s all about simplicity,” explained Karakostanoglou. “It’s bold in its simplicity.”
Karakostanoglou has a circuitous design process, involving much experimentation and trial-and-error, but Infinite was originally inspired by the different shapes of vintage watch faces. She began creating similar shapes by laser-cutting gold, leaving a small hole in the center to represent the point where a watch’s hands are connected.
From there, she played with the various laser-cut shapes--ovals, rectangles, hexagons and octagons-- layering a rounded square with an octagon for an architectural, layered earring, or attaching an oval and circle to a cuff for a bold statement piece.
Karakostanoglou created various delicate lariats, pavé diamond-laden rings and a particularly stunning octagon hoop earring that is deceptively light for its size.
To maintain an element of playfulness, which is the connection among the collections of Lito’s oeuvre, Karakostanoglou experimented with combining yellow gold and rose gold in a single piece: a yellow gold-shaped circle, sitting next to a rose gold rectangle on a bracelet and so on. The unlikely color combination is subtle but provides an interesting visual depth to the pieces.
“The collection is very Cycladic, very minimal, very connected with the sun and the light, and how the light is reflected in those shapes and how you play with the two different colors,” Karakostanoglou said.
The designer’s favorite piece is the choker version of the opal bracelet, which she designed especially for the upcoming “Vanity” exhibit at the Mykonos Archaeological Museum. The exhibit will highlight Greek jewelry from ancient
to contemporary times, and feature 12 of today’s most prominent Greek designers.
Lito’s Infinite collection will be available at select retailers this fall. For more information, visit Lito-Jewelry.com.
Lito’s Infinite collection will be available at select retailers this fall. For more information, visit Lito-Jewelry.com.
More on Trends
The Latest
AuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2MThree Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund RequestsA federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ CollectionCynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
Weekly QuizNov 21, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San FranciscoThe new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
IndependentsNov 21, 2024
Mary Moses Kinney Is Now Part of The Edge’s Team Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax FraudThe auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability FocusThe four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New CollectionThe “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation EffortsThe money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship ApplicationsThe event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry StoreLocal reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
AuctionsNov 19, 2024
‘A Tsar’s Treasure’ Fetches $2.9M at Sotheby’s Jewelry SaleA collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYCThe Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s RebrandHampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry WeekThe group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra ScottThe collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition ReturnsThis year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic ConSenior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ DesignsThe latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket WatchNo. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
AuctionsNov 14, 2024
18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light DisplayInstead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
