Roberto Faraone Mennella and Amedeo Scognamiglio

Saks Fifth Avenue recently hosted a meet and greet event with Amedeo Scognamiglio, one of the creators of Faraone Mennella by R.F.M.A.S.  We had an opportunity to sit down and chat with Amedeo and learn about the vision and inspiration behind their jewelry.

 Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita’, inspires thoughts of classic romance, beautiful women, and never-ending style, as does the jewelry of artists Amedeo Scognamiglio and Roberto Faraone Mennella.  Together they have created jewelry reminiscent of fashion icons such as Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly, and Jacquelyn Kennedy. 

The lifelong friends launched Faraone Mennella by R.F.M.A.S in the Spring of 2001 upon reuniting in New York after attending law school.  Scognamiglio was expanding the family business (the art of carving cameos by hand) to the United States and Mennella had studied Design Marketing; ultimately graduating from The Parsons New School of Design.   Always having a vision for the latest styles and trends,  Mennella and Scognamiglio decided that they wanted to create a line of high-end jewelry that integrated their Italian heritage with “Italian elegance” and timeless beauty using 18 karat gold and precious stones. 

The passion-driven duo had their big break when renowned New York fashion stylist Patricia Fields of Sex and the City fame, fell in love with their pieces and took all of their designs for six months to use in the series.  Kim Cattrall’s character, Samantha, donned the baubles and created the buzz among New York’s finest.  Before they knew it, Scognamiglio and Mennella were bombarded with requests.  First to come calling – Saks Fifth Avenue.  Scognamiglio confesses that he didn’t even know the term C.E.O and had to showcase their creations in their studio loft in New York.   Faraone Mennella was then featured in WWD; making the cover with one of their classic designs, an 18 karat gold cuff, titled “The Gold and the Beautiful” – talk about the Midas touch! 

 “We are involved in all of our designs, from start to finish.  We enjoy the creative adrenaline.”   When asked specifically about designing for the Miami woman, Scognamiglio replied “The Miami woman is exactly the type of woman we design for: classy, sophisticated, bold and natural, the woman that takes pride in how she looks and feels inside and out.”

To view the complete line of Faraone Mennella by R.F.M.A.S. at Saks Fifth Avenue visit http://www.saksfifthavenue.com .