Design of the Times: Cameo & Beyond ( JCK INSIDER )


Cameo & Beyond uses fine porcelain as the foundation of a modern take on cameo jewelry. Founders Francesco and Soraya Paolillo ventured to reinterpret the inspirational success of the family heritage from Torre del Greco, the world-renowned city known for cameo design and manufacturing.

We caught up with Francesco to learn more about his inspiration, what separates his brand from others and more:

How did your journey in the jewelry industry begin?
Our family has a long heritage in the cameo jewelry industry.

What was the initial inspiration for your brand?
My wife! She made me re-discover cameo after a long time.

What else inspires you when designing?
The desire to design elegant jewels without being afraid to utilize the cameo considered by many from the past.

Can you give us an idea of your design process?
My father left us hundreds of figures to choose from and we love to play with them until a combination strikes us to the point where we decide to turn it into a real piece of jewelry.

How long does it typically take to create a piece of jewelry?
It depends. However, from the first idea to realization, it normally takes six to eight months. But in some cases, it can take over a year.

How would you describe your brand using only three words?
Passion, tradition, innovation.

How do you personalize your jewelry and designs?
We feel that personalization is a must. We want all of our creations to carry and symbolize a piece of history.

My favorite collection is the Tesoro di Storia (meaning Treasure of History).

How about a favorite piece?
The long necklace representing a profile of a woman in Ancient Rome.

Are you partial to any particular stones or hues?
Not really. We believe that all stones or hues can work together if there is a meaningful thought behind each combination.

We are unique in using porcelain as a modern take on cameo.

Have you noticed a shift in consumer attitudes since the start of your brand?
That is difficult to say since we are in such a niche market environment due to the nature of our product.

How would you describe your target audience?
My wife Soraya and I think cameo is a perennial classic and we wanted to reinterpret it in a new material to appeal to all generations.

What was your favorite part of JCK Las Vegas 2019?
I really liked The Bridge Neighborhood – I found it very refreshing!

What are you most looking forward to at JCK Las Vegas 2020?
I’m most looking forward to propose our jewelry to a world class audience and increase awareness on who we are and what we do.

Did you do anything fun in Vegas off the show floor?
I consider fun to relax over dinner after a full day at the show, especially at Wing Lei at the Wynn – my favorite restaurant in Las Vegas!

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