FOPE has spent the last century carving out its reputation for timeless tradition, exquisite craftsmanship, and unmistakable Italian elegance. It has become one of Europe’s most coveted luxury jewellery brands, with its Novecento mesh chain design being the hallmark of all its pieces. Italy is renowned for its finely detailed gold jewellery, and FOPE jewellery is the perfect representation of this stylistic tradition. Their pieces are unmistakable thanks to their bold yet elegant style and their groundbreaking Flex’it technology – an internal system of highly flexible 18 carat gold springs that allow their watches, bracelets and rings to move with and adapt to the wearer.
What is FOPE?
Founded in 1929 by Umberto Cazzola in Vicenza, Italy, the small goldsmith workshop began with just twenty employees. They specialised in crafting stretchable gold watch bands, which they supplied to some of Switzerland’s most prestigious brands.
From there FOPE Italy quickly grew, opening a large factory after the end of WWII, crafting exquisite jewellery pieces using the innovative techniques Mr. Cazzola originally pioneered. FOPE, which stands for Factory of Jewellery Precious Export, has always been family led, and Cazzola passed down his knowledge of gold working to his son Odino. It was with the third generation of the Cazzola family that FOPE’s signature Novecento mesh was created.
Today FOPE combines the strength of its traditional values with a remarkable flair for innovation and cutting-edge technology, crafting unique masterpieces, which are exported to over fifty countries around the world. Even now, a century after its story began, the brand holds true to Umberto Cazzola’s guiding principles: attention to detail, exquisite quality, and unmistakable elegance.
The Cazzola family decided to continue to produce FOPE jewellery solely in the brand’s birthplace of Vicenza. By remaining in Vicenza FOPE is committed to supporting the cultural activity of the city, playing a large role in the promotion of local Italian artists and musicians the world over. FOPE invested extensively in creating a digitised and mechanical production process using cutting-edge, customised numerical control machinery. FOPE’s innovative and industrial approach to jewellery making combined with the extensive expertise of their master goldsmiths is what allows them to consistently create such unique and brilliant pieces.
The Capital of Gold
The elegance of Vicenza’s Renaissance architecture and quaint mediaeval city centre has long provided a gilded mask over the town’s remarkable industrial prowess. Nearly 10% of the small town’s population is employed in the jewellery industry, with students afforded the option to replace high school studies with a course at the esteemed Scuola d’Arte e Mestieri. The city’s prolific jewellery making history predates both its wondrous architecture and its cobblestone streets – tracing all the way back to 600 B.C. Beauty and innovation, craft and artistry, these things have become the lifeblood of Vicenza. The jewellery makers of Vicenza, along with the goldsmiths of FOPE, have long been hailed for their advanced jewellery production technology, but what really sets them apart is their manual skill and dedication to beauty.
More than jewellery, Vicenza is known as the Queen of Gold, or Italy’s Capital of Gold, and for good reason. The first written evidence found of the Vicenza Guild of Goldsmiths dates back to the early 14th century, and even then the sheer creativity and productivity of the goldsmiths were the pillars upon which the industry’s success was built.
It was FOPE’s master goldsmiths, drawing on centuries of impeccable craftsmanship whilst incorporating innovative modern technology, that created their iconic Novecento mesh. The Novecento is distinctive for its three-dimensional oval structure and its ability to seamlessly adapt to the wearer’s movements. The 18 carat gold links give FOPE flex it bracelets and rings their characteristic bold, Italian elegance.
The FOPE Collection
The FOPE jewellery collection isn’t loud or flashy, rather it is centred around principles of quality and craftsmanship, with each piece presenting itself with the brand’s signature sophisticated elegance.
FOPE’s iconic Flex’it bracelets embrace understated elegance, made from 18 carat gold and finished with a gold rondelle or black diamond pavé. The FOPE Eka Flex'it bracelet is the perfect example of everyday luxury, featuring 18 carat yellow and white gold, along with a brilliant black diamond rondelle.
All jewellery enthusiasts know that the right ring can become an intrinsic part of your daily look, and FOPE makes finding this signature piece easy. The bold geometrical shapes of the FOPE Flex'it Vendôme ring pair well with any outfit, and the Novecento mesh allows for comfortable everyday wear. The pavé diamond accent adds a touch of intrigue to this classic ring.
Simple, chic, but never boring. FOPE’s range of necklaces vary in thickness and length, ranging from delicate chains to striking statement pieces made up of bold geometric shapes. The Prima 18 carat yellow gold and white gold necklace, with round brilliant cut diamonds, is perfect to wear individually, but looks equally as glamorous when layered with other FOPE creations.
FOPE earrings are skillfully crafted to be the perfect size, highlighting the high quality of Italian gold jewellery. FOPE's Essentials 18 carat rose gold hoop earrings exemplify classic elegance and are the ideal addition to your everyday style uniform.
Give the gift of timeless elegance, or embrace effortless everyday luxury for yourself, with FOPE jewellery. Enquire with J Farren-Price today to discover our full FOPE jewellery collection today.