Elsa Peretti - FB
On the occasion of the 12th edition of the Florence Biennale, the International "Leonardo da Vinci" Lifetime Achievement Award in Design was awarded to Elsa Peretti in recognition of her innovative creative output at the forefront of jewellery design and for her revolutionary and timeless work.
Elsa Peretti's participation in the Florence Biennale in 2019 represented her last exhibition and public appearance before her death on 18 March 2021.
Elsa Peretti's participation in the Florence Biennale in 2019 represented her last exhibition and public appearance before her death on 18 March 2021.
Training and early career
Elsa Peretti was an Italian jewellery designer and philanthropist, born on 1 May 1940 in Florence. Her father Nando Peretti was the founder of API (Anonima Petroli Italiana). She studied in Rome and Switzerland, where she taught skiing in Gstaad before moving to Milan in 1963 and starting to work for the architect Dado Torrigiani.
Her modelling career began in 1964 in Barcelona where she worked for Salvador Dali. In 1968 Wilhemina, her model agency, suggested she move to New York where she modelled for Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Giorgio di Sant'Angelo and began to create her first pieces of jewellery.
Her modelling career began in 1964 in Barcelona where she worked for Salvador Dali. In 1968 Wilhemina, her model agency, suggested she move to New York where she modelled for Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Giorgio di Sant'Angelo and began to create her first pieces of jewellery.
Elsa Peretti's silver elevated to fine jewellery
In 1971 she received the Coty Award in Jewelry Design. In 1972 Bloomingdale's, the most important shop chain of the time, opened a boutique dedicated to her. In 1974 Elsa Peretti signed the exclusive contract with Tiffany & co.
Her first collection was a worldwide success. Silver was the metal she preferred, elevating it to the heights of high jewellery. Diamonds by the Yard, Open Heart and Bone Cuff are still today an expression of modern and contemporary design. Her production constitutes a milestone in the history of 20th century jewellery design.
Her first collection was a worldwide success. Silver was the metal she preferred, elevating it to the heights of high jewellery. Diamonds by the Yard, Open Heart and Bone Cuff are still today an expression of modern and contemporary design. Her production constitutes a milestone in the history of 20th century jewellery design.
Some awards and the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation
On the occasion of her 25th anniversary with Tiffany, the FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) established "The Elsa Peretti Professorship in Jewelry Design" in recognition of her extraordinary career, and awarded her a doctorate in Fine Arts. Elsa Peretti's creations are in the permanent collections of prestigious museums, from the British Museum to the MET in New York. In 2000 she set up the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation, dedicated to the memory of her father, which in twenty years of activity has supported more than a thousand projects all over the world, providing over 50 million euros.
The Foundation focuses on the fight against poverty, the defence of human rights, support for education and health, medical research, environmental conservation and the promotion of culture. The Foundation is based in Rome and Barcelona.
The Foundation focuses on the fight against poverty, the defence of human rights, support for education and health, medical research, environmental conservation and the promotion of culture. The Foundation is based in Rome and Barcelona.
