Tamara Comolli The Effortless Luxury Fine Jewelry

TAMARA COMOLLI

THE EFFORTLESS LUXURY FINE JEWELRY

| BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER

The ocean has long been a source of inspiration for every piece of TAMARA COMOLLI Fine Jewelry. The German-based luxury jeweler’s designs exude a care-free joie de vivre evocative of sand and sea, well-illustrated within its unique hallmark ‘the drop,’ resembling a single bead of water. Yet their designs are equally as at home on the red carpet as they are on the beach. Each piece is designed at the company’s own Lake Tegernsee-located atelier, and available within worldwide boutiques located in ‘spirit locations’ such as Southampton and Palm Beach. Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Marissa Collection Naples and many other prestigious US jewelers also carry items from the brand’s collections.

Serving as co-CEOs of TAMARA COMOLLI are Sophia Friedl and Tobias Marquardt, each of whom brings to her/his position a breadth of international experience in the luxury and retail industries. Friedl previously served as retail manager for Salvatore Ferragamo within Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the UK, and Marquardt previously served as vice president retail at BestSecret/Schustermann & Borenstein, responsible for retail operations in Germany and Austria. The duo share with Upscale Living Magazine their thoughts on the iconic brand which they have the pleasure of ushering into the future:

The TAMARA COMOLLI brand’s signature slogan is ‘effortless luxury.’ Please define what this means to you.

Sophia Friedl: “Effortless luxury” is a way of life. Our customers not only buy extraordinary yet timeless jewelry designs, but also the feeling of freedom, ease, and joy. Since 1992, we reinterpret fine jewelry, making it fun to wear every day from day to night. We encourage women to express themselves with our versatile collection by styling a two-carat diamond pendant such as our SNOWFLAKES Leaf casually on a leather cord, combining their favorite gemstones with our iconic MIKADO collection or creating stunning layering looks. Our philosophy is to enjoy precious jewelry with sophistication and a twinkle in the eye…

The iconic and beautiful Carolyn Murphy is the face of your campaign. How and why was she selected to represent TAMARA COMOLLI Fine Jewelry?

Tobias Marquardt: Carolyn Murphy epitomizes our unique brand philosophy with her natural elegance like no other. She is an inspirational, strong woman and mother which is something she shares with many of our customers.

The TAMARA COMOLLI aesthetic is somewhat bohemian in nature and designs have been described as ‘upscale hippie.’ Why has this style resonated so successfully?

Sophia Friedl: We have conquered the hearts of women across the globe with our unconventional way to style precious jewelry, making it a must-have for every day. Depending on your taste, you can combine our designs elegantly or create casual bohemian looks with a material mix of precious woods, color-intense gemstones, and warm gold tones. Especially in the age of the "gypset" lifestyle and cosmopolitans who enjoy luxury but prefer understatement over status symbols, we touch a nerve with our creative stylings.

Can you describe for me the classic TAMARA COMOLLI fan/ client? Where are most of your clients based?

Tobias Marquardt: That is a great question because talking about fans is very authentic in our brand world. The first piece of TAMARA COMOLLI jewelry a woman acquires always marks the beginning of an inspiring and never-ending journey for her. There is no “typical” TAMARA COMOLLI customer as every woman is truly individual and beautiful in her own way. However, they are all highly sophisticated gemstone lovers.

TAMARA COMOLLI designs are rooted in nature – specifically water, and more specifically, the sea. How is nature interpreted in the brand’s various designs, and what does the signature ‘drop’ epitomize?

Sophia Friedl: Growing up close to the ocean and spending lightsome time at beach has been the major source of inspiration of the designer who founded the brand in 1992. As the water drop represented her personality and inspiration, it became the hallmark of the brand. The soft flowing forms of our jewelry flattering the body remind us of the feeling when you dive into the water. Each TAMARA COMOLLI design has an incredible wearing comfort, and it simply so natural to wear it for every occasion. Even a large collectible ring showcasing a one-of-a-kind gemstone feels soft as silk on the finger. The drop shape of our hallmark is also the main design element of our beloved SIGNATURE collection.

The brand is German, yet Asian and Indian influences are quite evident. Is this intentional, and if so, where do the designers find their inspiration?

Sophia Friedl: The desire to travel, the fascination of exotic countries and the interplay of colors in nature offer an incredible variety of inspirations. Our INDIA collection is a tribute to the vibrant liveliness of the Indian culture. The paisley pattern of our popular pendants is reminiscent of the ornamental paintings and intarsia of Indian palaces. Excitingly, they are also made in Jaipur using traditional craftsmanship. The collection is therefore authentic from the inspiration to its manufacturing. Color Stories like Caribbean, Palm Beach or Capri take us on an imaginary journey to these dreamlike places ...

The luxury brand does not seem to take itself too seriously. Though the gems are rare, and the jewelry exquisitely crafted, many of your pieces can be worn casually and playfully – and are as suited to t-shirts and flip flops as they are to evening gowns. Is this intentional and something that you outwardly promote?

Sophia Friedl: We want women of all ages to enjoy fine jewelry every day; during a stroll around the city, for business meetings, or as a sparkling statement by night. Our new campaign visuals featuring top models Carolyn Murphy and Zippora Seven convey our message and unique positioning in the world of luxurious jewelry.

Many jewelry fans are afraid of color, yet dazzling gemstones are what TAMARA COMOLLI is all about. What might you say to encourage a color-phobic client to branch out, and try a piece from one of your Color Stories, for instance?

Sophia Friedl: With our Color Stories, every woman finds her "home,” her perfect Color Story that suits her type, personality, and style. Customers who are uncomfortable with vibrant creations such as our Color Stories 'Candy' or 'Wildberry' often fall in love with the soft nude tones of our Color Story 'Camel' or the timeless elegance of 'Cashmere,’ which combines shimmering moonstones, diamond accents, and white gold. Visit one of our boutiques and put on jewelry in a variety of Color Stories! Even the most color-phobic woman will discover her dream combination that naturally accentuates her. Once you have started with a Color Story, the passion for collecting will never let you go...

Where are your gems sourced, and who is the lucky team that does the sourcing?

Tobias Marquardt: Our head of gemology Nora von Linsingen selects each gemstone with her great expertise and passion for the colorful treasures. We are searching for rare and precious stones and pearls all over the world from Brazil and Madagascar to the magical island of Tahiti. Over the past 29 years we have built strong relationships with our suppliers. We also source gemstones on special customer request and create a bespoke design paying tribute to the uniqueness of the stone.

The past year and a half was challenging for many businesses. How did your company weather the tumult, and what is the forecast for the future?

Tobias Marquardt: We approached our customers with our loving spirit and our creativity. Despite all uncertainties, last year we launched a new brand book and sent it to our customers with some personal words to inspire them and make them want to come back after the lockdown. In March, we launched our brand-new GYPSY collection. That courage paid off. We will stick to it in the future and keep the unique spirit of our brand.

Speaking of the past year and a half, even though many of us sheltered and were not social, it continued to be important to feel and look our best, and that included wearing jewelry. Why do you think that jewelry is such an integral part of one’s happiness and well-being?

Sophia Friedl: Unlike fashion, jewelry accompanies us throughout our lives and delights further generations. Thus, we attach a deeper meaning to pieces of jewelry that we have received as a gift or that we have treated ourselves to for a milestone. Each piece of jewelry is associated with a memory that we can hold onto - even in difficult times - and that allows us to look to the future with hope and strength. That's why so many of us feel kind of naked without our favorite pieces, many of which we wear every day. A piece of ourselves is missing ...