Shaping Beauty, Shaping the Future: Ippolita Rostagno’s Journey

Born to an American artist and an Italian intellectual, Ippolita Rostagno was immersed in art and culture from an early age. Raised in the picturesque hills of Tuscany, she developed a deep appreciation for art and architecture, later earning her Baccalaureate in sculpture from the esteemed Istituto d’Arte in Florence. At 18, she moved to the United States, completing her studies at Occidental College in California before pursuing a career in modern dance in New York.

Her passion for creativity eventually led her back to sculpture and design, where she redefined the intersection of craftsmanship and innovation. She launched her eponymous fine jewelry brand IPPOLITA in 1999 after spending months developing an exclusive shade of gold—crafted to enhance all skin tones with its luminous warmth. With an unwavering dedication to artisanal craftsmanship, Ippolita ensures that every piece of her jewelry is made by hand.

Inspired by the extraordinary artisans she encountered throughout her journeys in Italy, Ippolita founded Artemest in 2015, creating a platform to celebrate and support craftsmanship in the digital age.

Now based in Brooklyn, New York, Ippolita continues to immerse herself in a world of creativity, drawing inspiration from both her local community and global explorations.

What inspired you to start your journey in jewelry, art, and design?

Once I started to think seriously about dedicating my life to art and design as a career, I realized that there was not enough jewelry designed specifically for women. In the past, jewelry designers designed pieces meant to be purchased by men for their wives or girlfriends. I wanted something different. I wanted jewelry that would speak directly to women, that women could and would purchase for themselves. I also wanted to design pieces that, in addition to being beautiful, were also comfortable, that would mold themselves to the body of the wearer, pieces that were made to be worn all day and into the night, almost as an extension of the body. This concept of beauty and comfort has extended itself to all my creative work, including my approach to the artisans represented by Artemest.

Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped your path?

I grew up in Florence but didn’t start my working life until I arrived in New York in the late 80s. In America, you can reinvent yourself at any time, be anything you want. So, when I started my jewelry business, it simply never occurred to me that it might be something that I couldn't do, nor did I feel the need to ask for anyone's permission. I just did it. I walked into Bergdorf Goodman and said, "Do you want to buy my collection?" And they did! That was certainly a defining moment, and it wasn’t until a few years later that the lesson became clear: how does one accomplish things? By getting them done.

Have you faced any particular challenges as a woman in these industries? How did you overcome them?

All women at some point or another find themselves being dismissed or underestimated. My strategy has been to counter slights with action. Doing is at the heart of work and work is at the heart of craft and creativity. If you know yourself, what you desire and what you're capable of, then you simply put one foot in front of the other, every single day.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career that you’d like to pass on to young women?

Don't let other people make your decisions for you. Sit with yourself and really think things through. Don't try to please everyone. That is impossible. But if you are true to yourself and your values, you will earn the respect of those who agree with you as well as of those who do not.

If you could go back and give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Learn every aspect of your trade, both the creative and the business side as quickly as possible. Then, identify what makes you happy and find great partners to take care of the parts you don't want to do. Delegate instead of micromanaging. Also, there are no secrets or shortcuts. Don't spend all your time and energy trying to imagine how things will be. The only way to get things done is to do them and trust that everything else will follow.

How do you balance creativity with the business side of your work?

The short answer is teamwork. In Artemest I am very fortunate. I have a wonderful group of partners who manage most of the business side, which frees me up to concentrate on selecting new artisans to add to our roster and to help guide them in the selection of pieces to offer on our site. We all, naturally, have to focus on all sides of the business, but the expertise of my partners allows me to spend more time thinking about the creative aspects. My partners and I trust each other implicitly, and this is a major part of our success. We all work together, very synergistically, toward the same goals.

How do you stay inspired and continue to innovate in your designs?

I travel a lot for my work, both at Artemest and at IPPOLITA, my fine jewelry company, and wherever I go, I visit museums, art shows, fairs, etc. But most of all, I keep my spirit, mind and heart open, at all times. I soak up the beauty of the world around me, whether it be in architecture, design, art, or nature. If you open your mind as well as your eyes, beauty comes in from all angles. Even though we are living through hard times, let us never forget that we are surrounded by beauty, love and kindness. We just have to keep looking.

What role does craftsmanship play in your creative process?

As a young woman, I studied sculpture and ceramics, so I am first and foremost an artist/artisan/maker. My jewelry vocabulary is very specific. I use the same textures and shapes over and over which makes my pieces very recognizable. My jewelry is very sculptural, and it is clear that it was designed with a woman’s body in mind. When you craft something with your hands you acquire a kind of knowledge that is very unique because it is unfiltered by your intellect and simultaneously processed through the lens of your singular experience. Whether I am creating a piece myself or selecting a piece created by another artist/artisan, it is extremely important to me that the work of the creator’s hands be visible. Artemest was born for the specific purpose of preventing Italian craftsmanship from falling into oblivion. We aim to preserve the ancient techniques that brought to life so many of the iconic works I grew up admiring, and I think we are succeeding, one artisan at a time.