Turning Fantasy into Reality
Leather, brass, suede, beads – an explosive mix of materials to create unique necklaces, earrings, bags, and belts. The mastermind behind these incredible bijoux is Caterina Mitrano, a Venetian whose creativity knows no bounds. Her collection is a testament to her bold personality, a woman who has turned childhood dreams into reality.
Crafting unique and original objects is the greatest satisfaction for those with talent and passion, and Caterina Mitrano possesses both. The result? A series of jewelry pieces with original designs, made with various types of leather. Wearing one of Caterina’s bijoux means adding a touch of personality, fantasy, and uniqueness to every outfit, transforming even the most anonymous look into something innovative.
Venetian, wife, and mother, Caterina is fortunate to have always had the support of her family. “My parents first, my husband and my children now, have always supported me and continue to do so,” she says. Energetic and full of enthusiasm, she describes herself as “disorganized, tousled, one day in a suit and high heels and another in gym clothes.” Her passion for creating bijoux dates back to her childhood: “Since I was little, I loved building things,” she recalls. “During summer vacations in Amalfi, while my parents and my sister were sunbathing on the beach, I spent time with a couple of hippies behind the beach wall. It was the summer of ’75, I was 6 years old, and to my mother’s great dismay, I was learning the first “notions” of shaping brass wire and leather from that extraordinary couple.”
Her passion for jewelry was born during her years at the State Art Institute of Venice, where she attended the goldsmithing section. “They were 5 wonderful years during which I fell in love definitively with jewelry making, and there I understood that that was what I wanted to do in life.”
The idea of creating bijoux came a few years ago, when Caterina found herself having to attend a wedding without a suitable piece of jewelry for her outfit. “The night before the wedding, I took out of the closet the box with leather, suede, and leather scraps that I had always kept,” she recalls. “I made myself a ring. At the ceremony, that ring was so successful that it made me think of creating others.”
Among her creations, the moldable necklace with the two roses is her favorite. “It’s a particular and extremely versatile accessory,” explains Caterina. “It can be used as a necklace, belt, hair accessory, becoming something different each time depending on the occasions and needs.”
Caterina dedicates herself entirely to this activity, without time limits. “I love my job, and I consider myself lucky not to be able to wait to get up in the morning to sit in my workshop and create,” she says.
Her creations are marketed through exhibitions, trade fairs, and on request. “My clientele ranges across different age groups, depending on the model of my collections,” explains Caterina.
The philosophy of her creative reality is to always realize what she has in mind. “I am often struck by a seemingly insignificant detail, but there is no rule,” admits Caterina. “I am never still, and often I am exhausted but content.”