From a Forgotten Zipper to a Marvelous Brooch

In this month's blog, I introduce you to Paola Cavalli, a woman I had the pleasure of discovering by chance, an extraordinary Italian designer and artisan.

Always in search of wonder and originality, I saw these beautiful brooches online and was struck by the choice of materials, the colors, the shapes, and the meticulous craftsmanship.

Many think that true craftsmanship no longer exists, but I can confirm that in Italy there are still neighborhoods or even just a few workshops where beauty and emotion are created.

Paola's story is truly interesting and, I believe, extraordinary.

Consider that she has found a way not only to recycle used materials, but specifically to use discarded zippers and transform them into rare and precious objects, true works of art: brooches.

The brooch, a jewel defined as both classic and elegant par excellence, is back in fashion and was the star of the Fall/Winter 2026 & 2027 fashion shows, for both men and women.

For enthusiasts or the curious, did you know that this magnificent piece of jewelry can enhance any outfit?

There are various ways to use it; do you know them?

Well, the brooch can traditionally be worn on the right or left of a blazer, but it can also easily fasten a sweater or cardigan, button a jacket, embellish the collar of a sweater, or the lapels of trousers, and even be used as a pendant—and so on and so forth.

But Paola, when she created the "Cernierine" (the name of the brooch jewelry she made), did much more:

• She looked for recycled materials

• She decided which materials she would reuse

• She thought zippers were a big waste for haberdashery shops and factories

• She learned to make bracelets, necklaces, rings, and then... brooches

The brooch-making process

Paola always starts with a felt base cut to the desired shape, then glues the various zipper pieces together.

The rows of zipper teeth are separated from the fabric from the individual zippers.

After being trimmed to remove any fraying, the zipper threads are heat-worked and then cut into pieces of different sizes to create the brooch design, she then juxtaposes the various pieces with different color tones and zipper finishes, creating contrasts in the final design.

This process is reminiscent of mosaic art.

All the zipper pieces are attached with specific glues, and finally, the jewelry piece is given further sparkle and customization by completing it with resin stones of various colors and sizes, and small Swarovski crystals.

The result? True works of art.

I was struck by how Paola told me her inspiration comes from her garden, from the landscapes of the various seasons, from the beauty that surrounds us and which we sometimes overlook.
Her project advocates the recycling of used materials and respect for the environment, which contrasts with the quantity of production and the low-quality materials of Fast Fashion.
She firmly believes that the anger of the new generation can help us take a step towards an increasingly green future.
She also spoke of Artisan Intelligence, or the ability to combine creativity, ingenuity, and craftsmanship with the innovation of upcycling

I only have one certainty: that Paola is much more than an artisan; I would define her as an artist who can see beyond, creating unique creations that shine with any outfit.

https://www.instagram.com/lecernierine/