ABOUT
Meet the Artist
Rae Vittorelli is a trained jeweler and artist with a BFA in Jewelry Design. She began her career as a bench jeweler in a fine jewelry house in Philadelphia. After several years working in the jewelry industry, illness forced her to step away from the bench.
Rae went on to work in various design fields, and after relocating to Northern California, she has spent over eight years with a high-end residential Architecture and Interior Design firm, where she works part-time as a designer today.
It was in Northern California that Rae was finally diagnosed with late-stage Lyme co-infections and was successfully treated with a combination of herbal modalities and Bee Venom Therapy. With her health restored, she returned to her metal and leatherwork bench.
Rae holds fast to an old-world belief: even the most practical objects should be crafted with care and adorned with beauty. She draws inspiration from her lifelong love of vintage fashion, ornate architectural details, and unique textiles.
From her Marin County atelier Studio Vittorelli, Rae continues to create unique metalwork, handcrafted leather accessories and jewelry that merge symbolism, sentiment, and artistry.
Rae holds a BFA in jewelry design , she studied at New York City's School of Visual Arts and graduated with honors from Moore College of Art + Design in Philadelphia.
The Inspiration For Bijoux Buckles:
"As a young designer dividing my time between art school in New York City and Philadelphia, I devoted countless hours (and whatever remained of my humble artist's budget) to the delightful pursuit of vintage treasures.
I was especially drawn to beautifully gilded, bejeweled belts, coveted finds that could instantly transform an outfit.A statement buckle with a touch of sparkle quickly became my signature, elevating a simple vintage tee and jeans into a look that felt both effortless and chic.
This love affair with vintage accessories led me to create Bijoux Buckles (jewelry buckles), a curated collection where my admiration for vintage style is elevated by the craftsmanship of my fine jewelry training.
With a nod to Parisian chic, Bijoux Buckles draws inspiration from the ornate architectural flourishes of old-world France, the effortless style of icons like Françoise Hardy and Jane Birkin, and the romance of the French language, an homage to my Québécois roots, reflected in my maiden name, Rachel Renée Gagnon.
I created Bijoux Buckles to elevate the everyday belt buckle. Bijoux Buckles are meant to be jewelry for your waist. Each buckle is designed to be collected, worn, and treasured like fine jewelry." ~Rae Vittorell
Photo Credit: Kari Devereaux