Established in 1929 in the historic goldsmithing city of Vicenza, Italy, FOPE stands today as a symbol of Italian artistry, technical innovation, and timeless design. Founded by Umberto Cazzola as a modest family-run goldsmith’s workshop, the company quickly distinguished itself through a dedication to excellence and a visionary approach to jewellery-making.
By the 1940s, FOPE had become a trusted supplier to Switzerland’s most prestigious watchmakers. During this period, FOPE specialised in producing finely crafted gold watch cases and bracelets, combining mechanical precision with the elegance demanded by the luxury Swiss watch industry. This close collaboration with Swiss maisons - who required the highest standards of technical excellence and consistency - pushed FOPE to refine its production techniques, elevate its quality control, and invest in technological innovation. The knowledge gained through working alongside the leaders of Swiss horology would later become fundamental to FOPE’s own innovations in jewellery design, particularly in their development of flexible, durable gold structures.
Throughout the 20th century, FOPE’s reputation grew steadily, combining traditional techniques with pioneering designs. It was during the 1980s that FOPE truly revolutionised the world of contemporary jewellery with the invention of Flex’it - a patented system of intricate gold springs that created flexible, comfortable, and entirely precious mesh bracelets and rings. This technical innovation remains at the heart of the brand’s identity, offering a unique blend of luxury, functionality, and effortless style that continues to captivate collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.
FOPE’s aesthetic is characterised by elegant simplicity, fine proportion, and an understated sophistication that reflects the Italian ethos of sprezzatura - an effortless grace. Their collections celebrate the tactile qualities of gold, transforming a noble material into fluid, wearable art. Every piece is conceived and crafted entirely in-house at their Vicenza workshops, where tradition and technology exist in perfect harmony.
Remaining proudly independent and family-owned, FOPE has successfully navigated nearly a century of changing tastes and technological advances without compromising its founding principles. Today, it occupies a distinctive position in the world of luxury jewellery: a brand that offers authentic Italian elegance with a desire for wearability, trusted by generations of discerning clients.
FOPE's legacy is a testament to its belief that true luxury lies not only in the beauty of an object, but in the way it moves, fits, and becomes part of the wearer’s daily life.
