There is a distinct identity to the Maria Francesca Pepe brand, herself. I get a sense each season that each piece she creates is Maria through and through. Her avant-garde jewellery-wear is synonymous with dark romance, allure, the intrinsic, mystery and the emotive.
For her spring summer 2012 collection, entitled Veleno, she explores notions and the symbolism of the snake. Veleno, which means a poison that penetrates and changes the nature of something, sees Pepe lend her unique perspective this inspiration.
The strength of this handmade (crafted by artisans in Italy) collection, lies in the fact that Pepe is able to birth something new out of a reference point (that is easily referenced in a literal fashion) as old as the hills.
Veleno is an organic collection that sees Pepe employ her usual mix of metal with a strong turquoise presence. There are graphic angular oversize earrings, her signature tubular is reborn with spellbinding cascading gold chains and turquoise, upper arm cuffs, shoulder necklaces, amulets, turquoise bedecked charm rings, intricately woven body chains adorned with crosses, choker bibs, spiked necklaces and headdresses etc.
Each season sees her carry forward signatures such as her charm rings, the tubular necklaces and bracelets, her use of the cross. The oversize letter safety pins from fall 2011-2012 Fortuna collection are present and conform to the mood of the new season.
The snake, as a symbol, is known for its ties to ancient Egypt and the hedonistic glamor of the seventies. Although there is a dark elegant glamor to Pepe’s work and a feel of Egypt, there is nothing ancient, seventies or set to a specific time frame about this lineup.
Maria’s ingenuity is that Veleno is at once of the moment and timeless.
It simultaneously emotes of the present, while encapsulating the past and future perfect.
More on Maria Francesca Pepe here.
More in the Inspiration series here.
Veleno Spring Summer 2012 by Maria Francesca Pepe. Photography by Sarah Piantadosi
