Marco Bicego On Jewellery, Travel, And The Middle East

Coloured Gemstones For Every Jewellery Lover

MOJEH meets with Italian jeweller Marco Bicego, whose rich European heritage heavily influences his unique and unmistakable style. With numerous 18-karat gold-smothered collections already firmly under his belt, all of which are handcrafted in Trissino, nestled deep within the Venetian region of northern Italy, Marco Bicego’s pieces are instantly recognisable.

Each piece boasts a subtle luxury and elegance, while simultaneously featuring individuality and personality that’s beautifully emphasised when worn by the right woman. Marco Bicego’s creations have been worn by the likes of Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Melissa Gates and Kylie Minogue and here, MOJEH speaks to the creative about his past, present and future.

Africa Collection, MARCO BICEGO

Tell us about your life as a jewellery designer.
I just spent a week in Japan, a week in the United States and now I’m here [in Dubai]! This is why I have a global picture of different types of women, as well as how they all see jewellery. This is really great for me.

How does it feel to be in Dubai for the first time since launching the brand in 2000?
I have a really strong relationship with Damas Jewellery, which is why it’s always great to be here in Dubai. I’m also very excited to meet my final customer and see how they wear my pieces. It’s very interesting and it gives me, as a designer, quite a lot of inspiration.

How do you work to attract both a local, and international, clientele?
It is very challenging, but I’m also very happy because Marco Bicego is jewellery which you can sell to both the local population here in Dubai, as well as expats, whether they be Russian, Chinese or European. It’s not just for one type of clientele.

That being said, what kind of woman do you envision wearing Marco Bicego?
She’s a modern woman. A modern woman who can really appreciate jewellery and wear the jewellery every day. Marco Bicego is for women who love enjoying every moment, of every day.

Il Cairo Collection, MARCO BICEGO

Where does your inspiration for each collection come from?
At the beginning, I’m inspired by organic shapes. I love the irregular. I call them the perfect imperfections of nature, you know? Most of the Marco Bicego collections are in gold, with a special finishing, because yellow gold is part of the brand’s DNA.

What makes Marco Bicego different?
I’m very proud to say that everything is made in-house. The lightweight jewellery is achieved by using a special technique, that gives me the opportunity to make beautiful jewellery that’s wearable jewellery. Versatility is very important.

What’s the biggest challenge about being a designer?
The wait. What’s not so easy is when you have an inspiration, which is great, but sometimes it takes weeks, or sometimes months, before you’re able to see the final result and a complete collection. But that’s the thing about inspiration. It’s only one thing to think about an idea.

Jaipur Collection, MARCO BICEGO

What do you love most about women’s jewellery?
I love when jewellery is easy. When the woman can wear it often, which is why we have a lot of collectors all throughout the world. People travel and they put their jewellery in their bag, and they always have something their can wear. It can be discreet, and worn dressed down and also dressed up.

Is it important to you that your homeland of Italy remains key to the brand?
I love to travel all over the world, but I’m a very local person. This is why it’s a combination. This job gives me the opportunity to have an open mind and an open vision. Our brand is a global brand, the challenge isn’t just to be based in Italy. But it’s very important for me that each collection is made in Italy, using very simple but unique methods.

What do you advise women when they’re buying jewellery?
When you buy something, you have to have an emotion. Of course, sometimes you have to ask the price or whatever, but you have to have a connection with that particular piece.

Marco Bicego’s collections are exclusively available at Damas stores