Bringing together all the finest jewellery brands into one place is what W Hamond is all about, and one of the best-selling of the lot is Italian jewellery maker FOPE. Renowned for their innovative and flexible chains that mould and contour to every part of the body, FOPE jewellery is dedicated to adorning beautiful women with beautiful designs worthy of both the red carpet and a classic 9-5 day.
FOPE is a family owned Italian jewellery brand still governed by the original family. In 1929, Umberto Cazzola opened up his first goldsmith’s workshop in Vicenza Italy and began by selling solid gold watch straps to some of the largest watchmaking companies in Switzerland. Shortly after Umberto’s passing, his son Odino decided to invest in several new technologies, one of which led to the creation of the first flexible watch strap by FOPE – something that would eventually inspire the flexible jewellery designs that you see today.
In 1970, Odino’s two children Umberto (named after his grandfather) and Ines joined the business. Like their father, they focused greatly on innovation and how they could invest in new technologies to expand the brand. During this time, they also decided to create the very first range of FOPE jewellery known as the Novecento mesh chain which launched to the public in 1985. The design of the Novecento chain was characterised by its excellent flexibility which allowed the different styles, whether it be bracelets or necklaces, to conform and mould effortlessly around the wrists and necks of women everywhere.
The biggest launch from the fine jewellery brand came in 2007 with the release of the FOPE Flex’it jewellery collection. Inspired by the original Novecento chains, these designs featured a patented mesh chain which was rendered fully flexible thanks to tiny gold springs hidden between each link. The chains were handcrafted from a choice of 18ct yellow gold, rose gold or white gold and set with elegant rondels, some left bare and others adorned with white pave diamonds.
Today, the FOPE Flex’it design makes up the majority of the brand’s fine jewellery collections, with the flexible chain reinvented into different shapes and styles for every personality. For example, FOPE Prima Flex’it jewellery is the slimmest of all the Flex’it family, offering fine and lightweight bracelets and necklaces handcrafted from 18ct gold. These designs are perfect for stacking and layering, awarding you another level of flexibility.
Similarly, the FOPE Panorama jewellery collections features the signature Novecento style chain but with a wider and finer architecture allowing more room for the adornment of diamonds. We particularly love the rings in this range which feature statement bands made from five rows of the flexible chain and a single rondel up top which comes set with a choice of white or black diamonds. We also recommend a look at the FOPE Essentials jewellery collection which as its name suggests offers a range of wearable, everyday jewellery that will transition effortlessly from a day at the office to a night on the town.
If you’d like to learn more about the FOPE jewellery collections and shop all the latest arrivals, head over to the W Hamond website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01947 603330 or send us a message at [email protected].
