While we were in Florence last week, we had the opportunity to meet Angela Caputi. She began her business in Florence almost forty years ago, and today is known around the world for her beautiful costume jewelry. Her workshop rests in the historical district of Florence, just a few minutes from the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.
Angela Caputi is an Italian Brand and each and every piece of her jewelry carries the label "Made in Italy". When she started her company in 1975 she was inspired by American movies and chunky jewelry. Today, she still uses that as the inspiration for her lines and takes from old pieces to create new ones, she is also inspired by political situations. The philosophy of the company is to make women happy (I personally think it is a great philosophy and works well because I was very happy after I purchased my rose colored chain linked bracelet). Angela continued to tell us about where her focus is when it comes to jewelry, which is earrings and necklaces along with bracelets. Her focus was based off of herself and what she typically wears. She also likes to focus on framing the jewelry so it is perfect for the face. She usually develops two collections per year, a winter and a summer line. In between she also does a few items for cruise and Christmas. After Angela told us about her company she showed us the lab, where about eight women sit at tables and hand make the jewelry, from necklaces to pins and bracelets to earrings.
Angela Caputi is a very inspirational woman. She started the business herself and still continues to strive in the industry today. Currently she has five stores, four of which are in Italy and one in Paris. When I asked if she had any plans for expansion to open another store in the future, she told me at this time no because she is too tired and would like to retire soon. After she retires, she plans for her daughter to take over the company and then maybe her daughter will open more stores. I realized that just because her brand is known worldwide, and her consumers purchase her products from around the world, does not mean she has to expand. That is what makes her product more unique and her company so successful.
From this visit I learned what it takes to start a business and built your own company into a very well known brand. Angela Caputi was not known as an Italian Brand since day one, it took many years for her to be to where she is today. Meeting and hearing about others experiences, makes me what to strive in the fashion industry. I have learned to set my own goals and make myself proud of my own accomplishments because in the end that what it comes down too. If I'm not happy I do not want it to be because of my own failures.
Angela Caputi is an Italian Brand and each and every piece of her jewelry carries the label "Made in Italy". When she started her company in 1975 she was inspired by American movies and chunky jewelry. Today, she still uses that as the inspiration for her lines and takes from old pieces to create new ones, she is also inspired by political situations. The philosophy of the company is to make women happy (I personally think it is a great philosophy and works well because I was very happy after I purchased my rose colored chain linked bracelet). Angela continued to tell us about where her focus is when it comes to jewelry, which is earrings and necklaces along with bracelets. Her focus was based off of herself and what she typically wears. She also likes to focus on framing the jewelry so it is perfect for the face. She usually develops two collections per year, a winter and a summer line. In between she also does a few items for cruise and Christmas. After Angela told us about her company she showed us the lab, where about eight women sit at tables and hand make the jewelry, from necklaces to pins and bracelets to earrings.
Angela Caputi is a very inspirational woman. She started the business herself and still continues to strive in the industry today. Currently she has five stores, four of which are in Italy and one in Paris. When I asked if she had any plans for expansion to open another store in the future, she told me at this time no because she is too tired and would like to retire soon. After she retires, she plans for her daughter to take over the company and then maybe her daughter will open more stores. I realized that just because her brand is known worldwide, and her consumers purchase her products from around the world, does not mean she has to expand. That is what makes her product more unique and her company so successful.
From this visit I learned what it takes to start a business and built your own company into a very well known brand. Angela Caputi was not known as an Italian Brand since day one, it took many years for her to be to where she is today. Meeting and hearing about others experiences, makes me what to strive in the fashion industry. I have learned to set my own goals and make myself proud of my own accomplishments because in the end that what it comes down too. If I'm not happy I do not want it to be because of my own failures.
