The TG Vault : Bea Bongiasca

Where do you live? I live in Milan, Italy which is also where I grew up. I moved to London for university for the BA in Jewellery Design at Central Saint Martins for four years but then when I graduated, I moved back home to start my brand.

What is the one piece of jewelry you always reach for? I have a gold necklace that used to be my grandmother’s and when I feel like I need her to look out for me or I am going through a hard time I wear it as an amulet for protection.

What’s your favorite Instagram account to follow?  I follow people who live in cities I really love so that I can see how it’s going over there. One of my favorites is from a foodie trying different food in Tokyo called @fallindebu then there’s also one called @yuuuuto38 and my plan is to go to all these restaurants once we can travel again!

Favorite cocktail or drink? Cocktail: Aperol Spritz. Drink: Genmaicha green tea—the one with the roasted popped brown rice.

What is your go to recipe or favorite thing to make? Italian food as that is the only thing I can cook. Recently I made a good one with lemon zest, parsley and green jalapenos.

What is your favorite restaurant in the world? In Milan my favourite places are Exit and Nebbia—contemporary Italian food. In New York I love all the amazing Japanese restaurants like the bento boxes at Ootoya.

What is something you are trying to master? I wanted to take extra squash lessons so I can finally beat my boyfriend at it, as he is annoyingly holding most of the wins for now.

When it is possible to travel, what destination is at the top of your list? To visit friends that I haven’t seen for a year in New York or Paris. I was supposed to have a trunk show in Mexico City so probably there too! Then I was supposed to go to Japan as my 30th birthday present but it will have to wait for the next birthday!

What inspires you? Pop culture, contemporary art and design, conflated with a passion for everything colourful.

What’s the song or artist you have on repeat right now? Recently I have been listening to a lot of Kali Uchis and disco music like the remix of Dua Lipa’s last album Club Future Nostalgia. It’s super happy and upbeat!

Please tell us a little bit about your cats!  Haha are you sure? It can go on a while! I have two cats, the girl is a Blue Golden Shaded British Shorthair called Ichigo which means Strawberry in Japanese and the boy is called Fat Momo but we just call him Momo as he isn’t as chonky as we thought and he’s a Black Golden Shaded British Longhair. They are super sweet and have been happy that I have been staying home a lot more (or so I like to think).
 

Best advice you have ever received? To follow your passion and stay true to who you are in general, then for my brand it’s to be coherent.

What are your favorite pieces from your new collection? I am a big fan of rings which I think transpires quite a bit in my work and I really love the new one I did for Flower Funk because they are a revisitation of a classic signet ring but made chunkier and in colour :)