Fernando’s foray into jewelry began while he was still a design student in São Paulo. He started designing for Danielle Metais, one of Brazil’s largest fine jewelry manufacturers. He went on to design exclusively for internationally acclaimed label Carla Amorim and teach jewelry illustration at the São Paulo campus of the renowned Italian ‘Istituto Europeo di Design’.
Through the course of the years, Fernando’s passion for fine jewelry only deepened, culminating in his decision to relocate to London to pursue the MA at Central Saint Martins. He explains: “I had the desire to step away from the commercial environment and to be more reflective and inquisitive in my practice. The MA course and London was the perfect environment for me to channel my traditional knowledge into a fresh and new direction.”
During his MA course Fernando designed his debut collection, relying on his strong professional network in São Paulo to craft the pieces. The designing and conceiving takes place in London, while the realization of the pieces occurs in Brazil. He describes his process; “I start with a lot of observation. I observe the results of what I’ve made before and what’s around me and start building up a mass of ideas. Then I start sketching and making models with improvised materials to create the shapes, volumes and fittings, then I make proper illustrations and technical drawings.”
