Cristina Rotondaro - Souls in a precious form
THE ARTIST
Cristina Rotondaro is a native of Kenya, the daughter of an Italian ambassador and grew across Kenya, Morocco, San Marino, the Philippines and Brazil.
After completing her Business Administration degree, she continued her studies and achieved a Master's Degree in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins University.
Cristina’s work experience took place in the Marketing of big brands and cutting edge fashion company producing of the early 90s, such as Fendissime, Marithe François Girbaud and Katharine Hamnett, then soon moved to Saatchi & Saatchi. After her Masters degree, she migrated to Bvlgari, where she stayed for six years. This experience was fundamental in the world of gemstones and Cristina felt touched by the jewelry industry, getting familiar with both gemology and the jewelry production process.
In 2000, she started her career as a designer, even creating the launch of her own brand: EKA.
The first jewelry collection was based on contemporary ethnic research gathered from her multiple trips around the world. A creative path that evolved into different interpretations of subjects, from the study of the Elements, the world of dreams, architectural structures and Musical Arts to Fashion, Psychology, Buddhism, Hindu and sacred Yoga texts.
Regular Yoga practitioner, Cristina Rotondaro obtained the Teacher's Diploma in “Iyengar Yoga” by the Paris Centre, under the guidance of Sri Faeq Biria, and usually associates the discipline as a reference point for many of her inspirations, both in the use of symbols as to its millennial philosophy.
In 2003, Cristina began selling at Barneys New York, as well as other Barneys stores all around the United States of America.
Between 2003 and 2012, the designer's creations - appreciated among others by the Queen of Jordan - are also distributed by Harvey Nichols in London, by Holt Renfrew in Vancouver and by exclusive traders in Capri and Milan. The store that represents her lead ship in Rome , Rampa Mignanelli, is mentioned as a “Gem of the City” for two years by the City Guide Louis Vuitton
In 2011, Cristina exhibited at the 54th Venice Biennale of Arts as a unique jewelry designer.
In 2015 she launched the “One of a Kind” collection, which was created in her own Atelier do Horto, in Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro.
In the same year she presented at the Milan “Triennale” an iconic piece for EXPO 2015 in Milan called “e-KGilibrio”. This same piece of art was presented in Rio at an event organized in partnership with Harper's Bazaar Art Magazine.
In 2016, she received the honor and exclusive permission of the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro to create the jewel “The skin of Christ the Redeemer”, a line dedicated entirely to social causes.
Progressively interested in the use of unusual materials such as oxidized bronze, Brazilian and African woods, enamels, glass and silk threads, her creation is more and more directed towards the arts and the finest craftship, seeking preciousness and uniqueness.
The latest collection, ‘Trasparenze’, continues exploring materials, symbols and multicolored lights from stones and transparent glazes.
ARTS AND DESIGN
It was not easy to be born with an artistic spirit in my family but, as we know, difficulties exist to moderate our will, our passion, and this is what makes us understand who we are and what we really want to achieve.
I started with precious jewelry, art pieces with a concept and soul and over the years I have always sought the essence of what is beautiful, free of commercial value. The concept, as well as the message, were always linked by a personal experience and a vision of existence.
I tried playing with ebony, oxidized metals, titanium, PVD, springs, enamels, tree bark, bronze and many other alternative materials because art, beauty and design not only need to transcend the classical value and paradigm, however speaking directly to the soul.
