Myriam Bottazzi

Jewellery maker

In search of the second beauty

Myriam creates contemporary jewellery with a sculptural quality
She is fascinated by combining unexpected materials
Her workshop is in a former pasta factory, now a contemporary art venue

Born in Milan and trained as a graphic designer first and fashion designer later, Myriam Bottazzi started creating contemporary jewellery for prestigious fashion houses, but she soon understood that the crazy rhythms of the fashion industry left little space for more in-depth work and experimentation. Moving to Rome gave her the possibility to open a workshop and devote herself full time to the design and creation of her jewellery. Attracted by the inherent qualities of materials, unusual objects and techniques, her creative process is driven by her search for a “second beauty”, the one that strikes the viewer's inner self first, their eyes second.

Interview

How did a Milanese end up in Rome?: I moved to Rome after spending the first years of my career in Milan, creating contemporary jewellery for important fashion brands. It was a great opportunity but I felt that I needed more time in order to go more deeply into my research and experiments.
When did you discover your passion for experimentation?: I began with sculptures made of valves from old radios, but I wanted to create something wearable. So I came to jewellery made of unexpected elements: components from the construction industry, old fabrics and feathers, combined with hard stones like quartz and agate.
What kind of research are you pursuing?: I am fascinated by the magic balance and harmony of objects that combine completely different elements, or by creations that show you something from a different perspective. It’s a mysterious harmony, very different from perfection or from traditional beauty, but extremely expressive and powerful.
Could you give an example?: Sequins. I don’t like them, unless they are used differently. If you cut them, if you print them, if you assemble them in a way that hides their shininess, they become like a raw material, they have a new life and they show their 'second beauty'.

Myriam Bottazzi is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1995