On my last trip to Rome I met Livia, via Abigail -long time Beklina model and friend who lives in Rome and runs Daforma. I visited Livia in her home and studio; a treat for sure! Sitting at her kitchen table, we looked over her current and past season work, and put together an order for Beklina. See what we picked out here.
Angelina: What was your very first job ever?
Livia: After my degree in jewelry design, I worked for little bit in a “faux bijoux” shop. Formally as shop assistant, but actually I used to spend all my time in the office realizing jewels with every materials I can find around me. It was very funny.
A: How did you get started making jewelry?
L: I started with a little bracelet made with embroidery beads. I was six and I was traveling in Cremona with my parents. In the main street, in a dry goods store they bought me six boxes of embroidery beads. I still have those beads. I keep them jealously.
A: Tell us about the name, Voodoo Jewels..
L: At first time everybody used to think this name is something linked to a dark and mysterious atmosphere. But the truth is that the brand philosophy is inspired by the positive energy of nature. Everything around us is life and beauty, and we should be in contact with all the elements that surround us. In the tribal cultures, voodoo objects are invested with magical qualities; they connect humans with the spirits of nature. Similarly, the Voodoo jewels intermediate between reality and the enchanted world of nature.
A: Tell us about your home in Rome, who built it, and how you came about it.
L: My beautiful home and my studio are part of “Villino Villoresi”, the building that my great grandfather built in the early '30s. My apartment is formed by the original dining room and living room of my grandparents. In my memories these spaces were incredibly charming, daily frequented by painters and intellectuals of '60s. Now we live here with our two grey twin cats, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald. The space has the right balance between a past allure and a contemporary mood. We have many pieces of my grandparents furniture in a large open space, and our in open kitchen.
Is there something "cliche Roman or Italian" that you relate to...
L: I love talking about food while eating. Exactly as every Italian does.
A: Please give us a weird little trivia fact about your personal style...
L: I have millions of military jackets. I’m jealous of all of them. Like an old veteran.
A: Describe your perfect meal.
L: This is the hardest question you can ask me. I really love food and cooking too, even if I never have enough time to do it. I love the colors, the flavors and the crazy infinity of combinations. But if I have to name just one, I will choose “friggitelli“ an Italian recipe based on green little fried pepperoni.
See collection here.
