Atelier VM, the historic Milanese brand that recently celebrated its first twenty-five years in business, is now preparing to celebrate another significant milestone: the tenth anniversary of its most iconic piece, L’Essenziale.
Since 2014, this emblematic jewel has sparked a global movement, with people from all over the world expressing the strength of their emotions through “sealed” jewelry worn on their bodies. This represents a true revolution in traditional jewelry, where for the first time, the customer is not just a buyer but an active participant in the creation of their own piece, its realization, and, most importantly, its meaning. L’Essenziale is not just a jewel; it’s a symbol that goes beyond aesthetics, becoming an expression of a deep and personal connection. It is an intimate and profound act of love that marks a special moment in life and makes it eternal.
Whether it’s a romantic relationship, the bond between mother and child, or an inner journey, L’Essenziale represents the essential — an anchor of meaning in the complexity of life. This jewel becomes the means through which love, friendship, and inner connection are eternally marked.
Atelier VM, founded in 1998 by Marta Caffarelli and Viola Naj Oleari, has always been committed to adding nothing superfluous to the world. With a vision that embraces art, literature, and a poetic approach to everyday life, the brand has created not just jewelry but experiences, and L’Essenziale is the embodiment of that. A thread of gold that, like a tattoo, lives on the body, dances with it, and seals promises. A unique jewel, despite many attempts to imitate it, it continues to shine in its uniqueness.
The Tenth Anniversary
To mark this important anniversary, L’Essenziale has been enriched with new meanings and new elements. Two new charms have been introduced: Rosa dei Venti (Rose of the Winds) and Stella Polare (Polaris), symbols linked to the stars that guide us into the unknown and anchor us to the heavens. Made of 18kt gold and precious stones, these charms celebrate our ability to follow an inner compass.
The Rosa dei Venti represents the mystery of exploration, a tribute to the personal journey and the wisdom needed to chart our course. The Stella Polare, on the other hand, is a beacon in the sky that guides every traveler, both in the imagined journey and in the journey of life.
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary and the deep significance of the project, Atelier VM once again focuses on relationships, choosing to reactivate a historic collaboration with a dear friend and artist: Fabrizio Ruffo.
Fabrizio Ruffo, the author of two of the most iconic and intense portraits of the founders in their early years, is now tasked with creating a ‘campaign’ in ten black-and-white shots. These ‘candid’ moments, captured naturally and in the moment, feature ‘real’ people, bound together by real emotions. The jewel is present, serving as the relational thread, but it is deliberately not the focus, allowing the authentic emotional connection to shine through.
10 years, 100,000 sealed stories.
