About Us
THE ALMAVIVA JOURNEY
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Almaviva means “vibrantly alive soul”, a name that perfectly captures the essence of its founder, Valeria, and her zest for life, beauty, and the colors of the world.
But it’s more than a poetic name. Almaviva is also an acronym born from the names of Valeria’s immediate family – Alberta, Massimo, Vittorio, and Valeria – a tribute to her roots and the origin of her spirit.
It was also the name of her family campervan, the beloved Almaviva, which carried them on unforgettable adventures across Europe and beyond. These early journeys lit the spark of wonder and wanderlust in Valeria’s heart, a flame that still fuels the brand today.
ABOUT VALERIA
Valeria, the heart and hands behind Almaviva, was born in Italy into a vibrant, unconventional family deeply immersed in the world of fashion and creativity. Both of her parents played a key role in the development of Fiorucci, the iconic Italian brand known for its bold colors, free-spirited style, and pioneering fusion of street fashion, ethnic influences, and pop-art aesthetics. Growing up between Verona and Milan, Valeria was surrounded by creativity, culture, and couture. She worked for over a decade with legendary designers, including Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano, gaining deep experience in the fashion world.
But eventually, Valeria chose a different path, guided by intuition, freedom, and soul. She left behind the structured fashion system to follow her wildest dreams: to travel, to explore, to live more slowly and more meaningfully. Along the way, she immersed herself in cultures, crafts, rituals, and stories, especially from the lands that called her deeply: India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan.
A lifelong collector of jewelry and materials, Valeria began sourcing rare, soulful components during her travels: pendants rich with symbolism, hand-dyed threads, spiritual charms, and folkloric elements. In her hands, these treasures are transformed into significant pieces of wearable art, where every detail holds a story, and every jewel is more than the sum of its parts.
As a passionate yoga practitioner, Valeria was given a Sanskrit spiritual name by her teacher upon completing her studies in India: Prem Jyoti, meaning “the light of love.” Not a coincidence, surely destiny.
ABOUT ALMAVIVA
What began as a spontaneous passion became a brand, a true expression of Valeria’s spirit, travels, and creative soul.
Almaviva is the living synthesis of her journey. Each piece is handmade, hand-knotted, and handcrafted with authenticity, intention, and love. Her refined eye for color, texture, and form shines through in every creation.
The jewelry blends elements from spiritual and ritual traditions with contemporary design. Old folkloric items are upcycled, reinterpreted, and adorned with meaning, becoming modern, elegant, and powerfully symbolic. From sacred pendants to vibrant beads, every component is chosen with care and transformed into a unique and soulful jewel.
Each one is a jewel for the soul, born of love, intention, and the art of slow, meaningful beauty.
