Inside Pandora’s intimate celebration of the Essence collection at idyllic Lake Como

The Pandora Essence collection takes it cues from sculpture, architecture and the impossible beauty of nature – most notably the wonders of the water. It would only make sense to celebrate the collection in a place that encompasses its origins. And so, last week the Danish jewellery brand welcomed a handful of influencers and actors, stylists and editors to extraordinary Lake Como to get to know the essence of Essence.

“The idea of the collection is balance, nature, organic expressions,” says Pandora co-creative director Filippo Ficarelli. “We talked about celebrating in a place where there is nature itself, but then there is something more.” Ficarelli is joined by his partner in work and in life Francesco Terzo. The duo have been co-creative directors of Pandora for some seven years, finding that aforementioned balance between the Italian design tradition and a form-meets-function Danish design sensibility.

Related: Pandora adds a fifth C to the diamond conversation: carbon footprint

What’s it like to share a life so intertwined? “We have some good fighting – some creative fighting,” says Ficarelli with a laugh. “But creativity is fragile, and you need to be supportive.” Terzo nods and adds, “We really like to work together on the creative side, the design side, the physicality. We always try to be aligned. Because we are very different and complementary, there is strength in being a duo.” If one cannot be convinced of the other’s idea – if they can’t get on the same page – that idea is abandoned in favour of something they can stand behind in solidarity.

Como, just a short drive (traffic depending) from the design duo’s beloved Milan (these days they’re based in Copenhagen) is a place that holds a personal significance. “People come here not to be isolated, but because they want to disconnect from the city,” says Ficarelli. “They come here to refocus.” According to Terzo, there’s another reason Italian locals flock here: the bridge at Nesso. “In a small town close to here there’s a high bridge surrounded by beautiful nature,” he says. “If you go there over the weekend, it’s full of local tourism, full of models that come from Milano just to jump off the bridge.” The stone bridge, which offers a six-metre leap into the deep blue waters, has become the star of many a TikTok.

Rendered in Pandora’s signature recycled gold and silver, the Essence collection revels in twisted organic shapes; a floating heart necklace takes on an abstract quality via thoughtful asymmetry, bangles are a tangle of both metals, stones and pearls seem to be set spontaneously. When I ask the design duo if there’s a certain standout piece, Terzo takes a teardrop-shaped gold ring off his own finger and hands it to me. It’s decorated with an effortless splatter of glimmering lab-gown pavé diamonds. “This ring has been the starting point,” he says. “Of how to study the three-dimensionality of the collection and how to work in the setting of the stone.” Specifically, it’s inspired by the fleeting romance of a summer rain. “It’s something very delicate,” concludes Terzo.

Fittingly, there was some summer rainfall on the trip, but that didn’t stop guests from enjoying all Lake Como has to offer: gelato and picturesque villas, aperitivos and extraordinary views. For those feeling bold enough, a dip in the not-so-warm lake itself (it was no biggie for the polar-dipping Danes in attendance).

But perhaps the most inspiring element was the guests themselves, who each styled the Essence collection in their own way. Some wore eclectic stacks, others standout statement pieces. British actress Corinna Brown wore several necklaces as a belly chain, complete with dangling pendants, whilst model Leomie Anderson wore a delicate bracelet as an anklet. A smorgasbord of expressions – each a distinct essence.