Stefano Poletti

Jewellery maker

©Pierre Chancy

An Italian in Paris

Stefano lives in Paris but loves spending time in his family home on Lake Como
He did an internship with the creator Azzedine Alaïa
He has created collections for some of the most famous fashion houses

Milan has always been too small for Stefano Poletti. After receiving his diploma as a designer from the Marangoni Institute, he moved to Paris in 1983. As a student at Studio Berçot, his first contact with Haute Couture was through an internship with his “dreams creator” Azzedine Alaïa. After being the assistant of Elisabeth de Senneville, he began his collaboration with Thierry Mugler. He launched his personal line of jewellery and expanded his collaboration with Haute Couture houses such as Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix. In 2000, Stefano Poletti moved his studio to rue de la Fontaine au Roi. In his workshop, an oasis of peace in an old Parisian alley, he expresses his creativity. He has created limited edition collections of jewellery for Lalique, Baccarat, Swarovski, Hermès and Jean Paul Gaultier – to name a few.

Interview

©Pierre Chancy

©Pierre Chancy

What is your educational background?: I studied Economics at the Bocconi University in Milan, but after one year I understood that it was not my path. So I decided to attend the fashion school Marangoni, and during that period I fell in love with Paris. This city has always been so open to the world and cosmopolitan.
Why did you decide to move to Paris?: I started my life in Paris as a student at Studio Berçot in Paris, then I had my first contact with Haute Couture through an internship with Azzedine Alaïa. My teachers in Paris thought it was weird that I left Milan – the centre of prêt-à-porter – for studying in France. They are very proud – and glad – that I did.
What do you remember about the creator Azzedine Alaïa?: He was so workaholic! I was still a student but worked with him in the atelier until midnight, every night. He had an extraordinary passion for his work and taught me the love of a job well done.
And when did you open your own line?: I was fascinated by design and the research of new materials, in 1986/87 I opened my own line. In the meantime I continued to create for the prêt-à-porter names such as Jill Sander, Guy Laroche and Chloé. I couldn’t forget that I was Italian and created my first collection with Murano glass.

Stefano Poletti is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1983