Her Name Was Elsa

Tiffany & Co invites us into the captivating world of legendary designer Elsa Peretti in this Tatler exclusive. This year marks half a century of her influential and groundbreaking work

- Anton San Diego

I arrived at her studio just an hour’s drive from the vibrant city of Barcelona on a sunlit Basque morning. The previous day had been a privilege as I explored the carefully curated workshop where her exquisite jewellery pieces took shape. Now, gazing around the studio, I was drawn to the modest yet captivating architecture. The kitchen, blackened with soot, emanated a sense of charm and character. Wisteria vines gracefully ascended the facade, lending a natural touch to the surroundings. A room filled with striking black saddles also hinted at the artist’s diverse and unique passions.

This was the starting point of my immersion into the world of the most enigmatic and talented designers of the 20th century. Before my visit, I knew little about Elsa Peretti besides her renowned work as a designer for Tiffany & Co. As I explored her home and workplace and learnt more about her life and legacy, I was utterly captivated by this remarkable woman, leaving me pondering the question: Who was she?

She was born in 1940 to Ferdinando or Nando and Maria Luisa, wealthy parents who owned a successful Italian oil company. Unfortunately, this is as far as details of her childhood would go, and less is known about her relationship with her parents. What is known, however, is that she was estranged from them due to their conservative mindset, which clashed with her own modern beliefs and aspirations. She had a privileged upbringing, attending prestigious schools in Rome and Switzerland. Her passion for design led her to pursue a degree in interior design, and she eventually landed a position working in Milan for a prominent Italian architect.