Silvia Dusci, the creative force behind the accessories brand Le Sundial, firmly believes that jewelry should resonate deeply with one's emotions. Her philosophy underscores a connection between the wearer and each piece, a principle that guides her enchanting designs.
Hailing from Milan, Dusci draws ceaseless inspiration from her extensive collection of antique jewelry and eclectic curiosities. This passion is vividly reflected in her creations. For instance, her inaugural piece, the Nautilus collar—a refined black onyx choker adorned with a sterling silver seashell clasp—pays homage to a cherished item from her grandmother's collection. A memorable journey to Venice sparked the genesis of her elegant Opera necklace, a lengthy and dramatic beaded design culminating in a delicate tassel. A fortuitous encounter with the proprietors of Mercaria, a renowned Milanese crafts store, further deepened her appreciation for tassels. Witnessing a vibrant display of handcrafted tassels, each showcasing diverse techniques, ignited the concept for her Trinity pendant, a satin cord design featuring meticulously cut onyx beads and a flowing tassel. Dusci thoughtfully shaped these elements to maintain perfect equilibrium, ensuring the tassel remained the focal point.
What initially started as an Instagram platform to share her early creations and inspirations soon blossomed into a thriving enterprise. Le Sundial rapidly expanded its reach through pop-up events and trunk shows, attracting a devoted following of fashion enthusiasts from global style hubs like New York, Paris, and Milan. Within a mere eighteen months, Dusci transitioned from her corporate role in event planning to fully dedicate herself to her burgeoning jewelry brand. Her daily routine now involves frequent visits to goldsmiths and stone dealers, the latter being a family-run business where she has gained invaluable knowledge about various gemstones and selection techniques. Dusci finds immense joy and inspiration in these immersive environments, often losing track of time as new ideas continuously emerge. This shift in her career path, while distinct from her previous work, continues to leverage her inherent creativity and visual expertise to weave compelling narratives for Le Sundial.
Despite her busy schedule, Dusci maintains her creative flow even while working from her home base in Milan. Her preferred mode of transport, often walking or taking the subway, reflects her grounded approach. While she dreams of wearing heels daily, ballet flats are her practical choice. Her personal style, characterized by its understated elegance, serves as an ideal backdrop for her elaborate and artistic jewelry. A classic button-up shirt perfectly complements a beaded choker, while a simple black crewneck sweater offers a refined foundation for a captivating pendant. She articulates her fashion sensibility as a harmonious blend of femininity and minimalism, always punctuated by a distinctive 'wow' element. Having lived in Milan for a decade since moving from a small town near Lake Como for her education, and nurturing a long-standing admiration for Miuccia Prada, Dusci feels most authentically herself when adorned in an exquisitely tailored skirt.
With plans for a dedicated studio in the coming year and a forthcoming debut on Net-a-Porter, signaling an exciting new chapter for her brand, Silvia Dusci offers a glimpse into her dynamic workweek. Effortlessly navigating between various workshops with her signature grace, she consistently showcases impeccable accessories.
For a morning visit to the stone dealers, Dusci opts for a minimalist yet refined ensemble, featuring a skirt from Esant, a brand by a close friend, and a recently acquired shirt from Rubirosas, discovered during a trip to Mariana Vergara's Le Popup in Paris. She appreciates the shirt's silhouette and its versatile long cuffs, which allow for diverse styling. Her trusted The Row bag, a cherished 30th birthday gift, carries Rodin museum cards, serving as a source of artistic inspiration. The look is completed with antiqued Prada heels from the autumn collection and a simple black leather belt, also by The Row. Dusci's meticulous approach to acquiring new pieces ensures that each item can be styled in multiple ways, maximizing its versatility.
Dusci often seeks moments of tranquility at Marchesi on Via Santa Maria alla Porta, where she savors a cappuccino and a sweet treat in the afternoon, always eschewing bulky bags and laptops in favor of a sleek clutch for her essentials. Her vibrant, lipstick-red Lydia clutch, along with exclusive dark olive and black versions available on Net-a-Porter, adds a pop of color. She finds elegant suiting perfect for daytime coffee meetings, noting that it seamlessly transitions to aperitivo. She favors a coordinated blazer and matching trousers from Blazé Milano for a sophisticated monochrome aesthetic, pairing them with a tucked button-up and the smoky quartz Tina necklace. On other occasions, she might layer the suit with a T-shirt or cashmere sweater. For colder evenings, a stylish cape provides an extra layer of warmth and flair.
Dusci's wardrobe is a carefully curated blend of vintage and contemporary pieces, reflecting her distinctive old-meets-new approach. She exemplifies this by pairing a vintage Dolce & Gabbana jacket, sourced from her favorite Milanese vintage store, Shop the Story, with comfortable yet chic black trousers from Toteme and Aeyde heels—her go-to choices for both comfort and sophistication. Her velvet tassel bag, an exclusive Net-a-Porter item, is a perfect conversation starter during aperitivo, highlighting her preference for playful clutches and small bags for evening wear, contrasting with her more understated daytime choices.
The Opera necklace, a serendipitous creation born from a trip to Venice, stands as one of Dusci's most coveted designs. Its striking yet adaptable nature makes it suitable for various occasions; she pairs it with a T-shirt or cashmere knit for daily wear, like her black People's Republic of Cashmere crewneck, and an open-back dress for evening events. Complementing onyx, carnelian, or ivory earrings complete the ensemble. Dusci emphasizes that her outfit forms the initial foundation, with accessories serving as the final, mood-reflecting touches.
Further enhancing her collection, Le Sundial offers a diverse range of accessories on Net-a-Porter, including elegant beaded earrings, the distinctive Trinity necklace, the Sculptural necklace, the stylish Lydia clutch, the sophisticated Deco ring, and the exquisite Edith necklace, alongside a tasseled woven cord belt and Jackie earrings, ensuring a comprehensive selection for discerning tastes.
