Arcangelo Bungaro

Jewellery maker

©Arcangelo Bungaro

Back to our roots

Arcangelo uses unconventional materials and innovative techniques
After 27 years in Milan, he moved to Paris
He collaborates with major brands in the fashion and design sectors

Arcangelo Bungaro is an Italian jewellery maker with more than 30 years of experience. Experimentation has been the guiding thread of his work, with the use of unconventional materials – such as shells and roots – and innovative techniques, for the creation of very personal forms and lines, all inspired by nature. His professional career started with an artistic training and passed through lengthy collaborations with major brands in the fashion, design and communication sectors. In 1995 he founded his very own brand, Arcangelo Bungaro. "Because life is about balance and evolution," he says, "to live aligned with our values we need to go back to our roots, discover the essence of life and grasp its meaning." And this is what he tries to do every day when he creates his wonderful jewels, designed and made between France and Italy.

Interview

©Arcangelo Bungaro

©Arcangelo Bungaro

How did it all start?: I started on this path when I was 20 years old. At that time, I was seeking my way in the world. I made jewellery out of materials I found around, such as shells – I’m from Apulia – fossils, branches and roots. At a point, I moved to Milan with my portfolio and my shells.
How did you find Milan?: It was the time of people like Romeo Gigli, natural elements were predominant. I started working in the fashion world, then my passion for the jewellery making took over. Meanwhile, my desire to experiment suddenly became a job. In the early 2000s I was the leading designer of Breil.
How did your personal collection begin?: My work with Breil went hand in hand with creating my personal collection of jewellery. They inspired each other: the Breil collection was made of steel and embellished with natural elements. After 15 years at Breil, I wanted to create unique pieces.
Do your pieces have an eco-sustainable spirit?: Definitely, on several fronts. I love when an antique jewel or an object comes back to life in another form, without wasting any material. And I’ve always been very attentive in choosing materials: instead of using ivory, I preferred to use mammoth bones.

Arcangelo Bungaro is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1995