A didactical project that transforms an international competition into an opportunity to engage with high jewelry design through a real-world brief.
The Tiara: A crown of virtue
Didactical Project by F. Casolaro e A. Calvarese - Undergraduate Course in Jewelry Design - IED Roma
Academic year
2025/2026
First- and second-year students from the Undergraduate course in Jewelry Design respond to a brief proposed by The Unique Show Gallery Dubai, challenging them to design a contemporary tiara inspired by the cultural heritage of the Arab world. The experience introduces students to the dynamics of professional design practice, from research to the development of a proposal for an international context.
The design process is supported by research into the history of the tiara, the evolution of high jewelry, and the potential of new materials, fastening systems and ways of wearing the piece. The aim is to reinterpret a highly symbolic object through a contemporary design language, combining cultural identity, innovation and creative experimentation.
The projects are submitted to the international competition The Tiara: A Crown of Virtue and selected for exhibition at The Unique Show in Monte Carlo. Among the entries, the designs by Francesco Casolaro and Andrea Calvarese are awarded first and second prize respectively, giving both students the opportunity to attend the award ceremony in the Principality.
Watch our students' experience at The Unique Show in Monte Carlo.
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