A Thing Of Beauty with Nanis Jewelry
Nanis founder Laura Bicego brings unparalleled creativity and a hint of sparkle to her fine jewelry collection.
In the world of fine jewelry, where beauty often meets craftsmanship, Laura Bicego stands out as a designer with vision, heart, and a profound understanding of the modern woman. As the founder and creative force behind Nanis — together with her husband Piero Marangon — Bicego has spent decades pioneering transformative, versatile jewelry that is as chic as it is practical. Her designs capture the essence of femininity: effortlessly elegant, endlessly wearable, and always surprising. While her last name might ring familiar — her brother Marco Bicego is also well-known in the jewelry world — Bicego has carved a space entirely her own. I had the privilege of sitting down with Bicego to hear her story, one that begins in the heart o
THE CREATIVE SPARK
“It’s in my DNA,” Bicego explained, a smile lighting up her face as she reminisced about her childhood. The daughter of a goldsmith, Bicego grew up near Vicenza, Italy, a region steeped in jewelry-making tradition. Her father’s factory, Bicego Giuseppe, produced classic gold designs, and even today, at 88, her father remains a vibrant figure in her life. From a young age, fashion and jewelry fascinated her. Living in Italy, surrounded by unparalleled art and aesthetics, inspiration was everywhere. At 15 years old, Bicego started working in the family business where, during the summer, she began to learn her craft and gain hands-on experience.
THE BIRTH OF NANIS
In the early 1990s, Bicego, along with Marangon, ventured into new territory. “My father’s designs were classic, but I wanted something different — something I could wear all day long, no matter where life took me,” she said.
And so, in 1990, Nanis was born. The name is derived from a touching story: during a trip with Marangon to Santo Domingo, they visited a sugar cane plantation in Haiti. When a little girl named Nanishka took the couple’s hands and guided them through the fields, her kindness and warmth made a lasting impression. “She touched our hearts,” Bicego recalled, “and we named my jewelry line as a tribute to her."
From humble beginnings with just four employees, Nanis has grown into a global brand, now employing 50 artisans and gracing over 480 stores worldwide, from curated concept shops to fine jewelry boutiques.
PIONEERING TRANSFORMATIVE JEWELRY
From the beginning, Nanis created transformational pieces, including body jewelry, that could be reimagined and worn in multiple ways. “The first market we approached was Japan, where quality is paramount. Their attention to detail inspired us to innovate even further,” she added. One of the first signature collections was called Transformista, an assortment that perfectly embodied her vision of adaptability.
Key to this versatility is the brand’s iconic clasp, which allows necklaces to be worn in infinite ways. “Details are everything,” Bicego emphasized. “Our clasps are unique. They make our jewelry hard to copy and impossible to forget.”