Issue #41a
Amedeo Scognamiglio
L'Outsider
In 2006, Amedeo Scognamiglio opened AMEDEO, a collection focused on the classic cameo with a modern sensibility. AMEDEOs design philosophy aims at an extremely contemporary approach to the ancient art of cameo making, through alternative materials, unexpected ideas and smile-triggering designs. Scognamiglio has cameos in his DNA: He learned the art of carving Cameos at age 16 in his father’s company, M+M SCOGNAMIGLIO, which continues the artistic manufacturing tradition dating back to the early 1800s in his hometown of Torre del Greco, Italy. Today Scognamiglio breathes new life into the medium without losing the craftsmanship techniques that have been passed down in his family through generations. From the unique themes to the exotic colors AMEDEO brings perspectives that are usually not associated with cameos. AMEDEOs one-of-a-kind pieces have appeared on the pages of Vogue, Elle, New York Times, W Magazine, V Magazine, Town & Country, Style.com, and Departures, among others. Today, AMEDEO pieces are found in the most eclectic luxury boutiques of the world, including as Bergdorf Goodman, Dover Street Market, Tsum and Luisa Via Roma, in addition to the flagship boutique in New York’s Upper East Side.
I am a jewelry designer, co-founder of RFMAS, and of AMEDEO and FARAONE MENNELLA brands.
I moved to NYC when I was just 22 years old, after completing my university studies in Napoli. I had been coming to NYC since I was 15 with my dad, Michele, as “help” during his business trips. After college, I decided to move to NYC and live by myself and start “something” on my own. But, I owe it to my father, for taking me there and giving me a home which, after 20 years is still my home.
Fall 2002: launch of Faraone Mennella by RFMAS at Bergdorf Goodman: Roberto and I enter the store, from the employees entrance in the morning of our first personal appearance for the first time in the temple of luxury…we looked at each other and almost cried: We knew we had “made it” in NYC and our journey was just about to take off!
If any, share a memory from the photo shoot. 53rd street and 7th Avenue has been my address since I moved to NYC. I actually think I am one of the very few New Yorkers who hasn’t moved at least once: I have been living there since 1995…which makes me the king of 53rd Street! But it is also a very iconic location, very touristy but so NYC – alive and kicking! I would never live elsewhere. The day we shot, we both knew immediately that it was the natural location for me…but the chair was not planned; we found it on the boardwalk, outside a restaurant and it just seemed so perfect! It made me feel like “This is where I live, and this is my place to be!”.
It is important to show the Italian presence in NYC: from fashion, to design, architecture, gastronomy (I don’t like the word “food”)..Italians brought and still bring innovation and culture to NYC and it is quite imperative to set the record for the future. After all, Cristoforo Colombo and Amerigo Vespucci were Italians….
I’ve always felt proud and privileged of being Italian in NYC: There is always a sense of pride coming from the land the entire world envies, and it makes me especially proud to be able through my design, my work, to represent the best of Italy, and to bring “made in Italy” to the United States. It’s about heritage, and the ethereal value of centuries of artistry! This is the most rewarding aspect of my job.
