Regina Gambatesa Archives

The designers in GemGèneve’s Vivarium

Published on April 7, 2022

The Latin word vivarium means pond, a small basin of water. And since GemGèneve was born it has proposed its Designer Vivarium (this will be the fourth edition), curated by the jewelery historian Vivienne Becker. The idea is to bring together the work of individual particularly innovative jewelers-designers in a defined space. Since then, the Beckerian lake has seen the succession of young and old designers from all over the world. Some return, others debut. Here, for example, are those foreseen in the Designer Vivarium at the next GemGèneve (5-8 May): Aline Debusigne (Switzerland), Sean Gilson (USA), Regina Gambatesa (Italy), Saurabh Bhola (India), Oktaaf (Spain), Gaelle Khouri (Lebanon), Philippe Lauras (France). Of course, we will be dedicating articles to individual participants of the Designer Vivarium in the near future.

Vivienne Becker was assisted and assisted in the selection process by Ida Faerber, daughter of one of the two founders of GemGèneve (Thomas Faerber and Ronny Totah). The leitmotif for the selection is the refinement of craftsmanship and the innovative use of materials. The styles represented in the Designer Vivarium 2022, as always, are all very different from each other, and testify to the breadth, depth and versatility of expression in today’s contemporary jewelry world. The idea for a contemporary design showcase originally came from the founders of GemGenève, Thomas Faerber and Ronny Totah. An important part of their mission in creating the show was to foster and nurture talent and ingenuity in today’s jewelry world, to give a voice and a platform.

Article updated on April 7. Compared to the previous version, the Russian designer Elena Okutova no longer appears, it is not known whether it is her decision (or impossibility given the geopolitical situation) or a choice of the organizers.

GemGèneve 2021, anello di Studio Renn. Copyright: gioiellis.com

GemGèneve 2021. Copyright: gioiellis.com

The meta-jewels by Regina Gambatesa

Published on November 15, 2021

Showroom

Why limit yourself to considering a jewel as something that is worn over the body, when it can also be something that conceals a meaning within it? If the philosophy can be applied to jewelry, ask Regina Gambatesa. From the depths of Mediterranean Italy (Bari), the designer embarked on a journey through a sort of meta-jewelry. Often, in fact, in Regina Gambatesa’s jewels there are hidden elements ready to refer to other forms, worlds or realities. Maybe a pinch of sand linked to her story, with the teenage years spent in the Middle East, between Turkey, Lebanon and Libya. But, apart from the aspects more related to the mind than to the eyes, the jewels of the Italian designer are above all to be looked at, touched and worn.

Anello Serpenti in oro, smeraldo, diamanti

Beauty as a value, a function of the forms and ornaments that concern the states of the soul.
Queen Gambatesa

Having said all this, the jewels can only be original. The Serpenti collection represents one of the strengths: but, unlike many other jewels inspired by the crawling reptile, the rings, earrings and bracelets of this collection have a way of their own to twist around the fingers and wrists. Regina Gambatesa’s jewels use gold and precious stones, from diamonds to rubies, or colored and semi-precious such as Madeira quartz in the Fior di Loto ring or kunzite. But it is the colored titanium that allows innovative shapes and unprecedented geometries, suited to the designer’s imagination.

Il retro dell'anello in oro e titanio — Il retro dell’anello in oro e titanio

Anello Mandala in oro, titanio e smeraldi

Orecchini in oro e diamanti bianchi e fancy

Anello Mandala in oro, titanio e diamante

GemGèneve Designer Vivarium is back

Published on October 1, 2021

news

After announcing the return (after the pandemic break year), GemGèneve outlines the contours of the third edition (4-7 November). In particular, the organizers of the Geneva event presented the new exhibitors at the Designer Vivarium, a space reserved for the creators of fine jewelry, small boutiques often made up of a single jeweler. The Vivarium Designer is curated by Vivienne Becker with the contribution of Ida Faerber, one of the leading experts in the world of jewelery, and includes a range of extraordinarily original and innovative contemporary jewelery. A space that, in a certain sense, is an alternative to that of the rest of the exhibitors, focused on precious stones, high-end proposals from exclusive Maison and vintage jewelery.

I look for jewels that have a strong, individual point of view, a well-defined identity and a creative vision, and for a certain artisan refinement. I am looking for a sophisticated integration of concept, material and technique and perhaps above all I am looking for designers who have something to say, something new to say, through their jewels. I am looking for the creators of today who will be part of the long and rich continuum of the history of jewelry.
Vivienne Becker

Vivarium, on the other hand, offers avant-garde jewelry: an idea originally born by the founders of GemGenève, Thomas Faerber and Ronny Totah, perhaps to infuse a breath of freshness that balances a very traditional event. The designers participating in this edition are Aline Debusigne (Switzerland), Regina Gambatesa (Italy), Studio Renn (India), Atelier Allure (Austria), G Suen (Great Britain), Alexandra Jefford (Great Britain), Cora Sheibani (Great Brittany), Alexander Tenzo (Russia).

Alexander Tenzo. Copyright: gioiellis.com