Refreshing a Famous Family Legacy: Serena Cipullo

Though she grew up immersed in New York’s Diamond District, Serena Cipullo didn’t always envision herself in the jewelry world.

“I thought I wanted to be a graphic designer,” she says. “It wasn’t until I started helping my dad out temporarily that I realized how much I enjoyed it.” That role came about when his secretary went on maternity leave, marking a turning point in the future of the brand her father, Italian-born designer Renato Cipullo, built from the ground up.

Renato Cipullo is known for bold, retro-inspired jewelry with roots in 1970s design, featuring heavy gold silhouettes and an artisanal sensibility that’s anything but trend-led. Serena Cipullo works closely with her father — whose imagination is constantly churning with new design ideas — to help refine those concepts while maintaining the brand’s meticulous standards.

Since joining the business, she has helped bring the brand to a new generation of collectors while staying true to its DNA. “When I’m designing, I always ask myself, ‘Would I wear that?’” she says. “That balance between eclecticism and classic style is what defines us.”

With a background in art history and architecture, she brings a considered eye for proportion and composition to every piece. “I leaned toward sculpture, color theory, anything creative I could still apply to my major,” she explains. “I actually made the chair I’m sitting on now in one of those classes.”

She’s also a staunch advocate for quality: “Everyone says they care about craftsmanship, but I see it every day with my dad — he still sits at the bench. That’s the level I’m learning from.”

This artisanal touch is central to the brand, she adds. “I never want our jewelry to feel mass-produced. People respond to how our pieces feel. You can sense they’ve been worked on by hand.”

She also believes jewelry should empower its wearer. “Confidence changes everything,” she states.

Whether she’s advising clients, coordinating with Diamond District suppliers or developing new designs with her father, no two days are the same. “We work out of a small office, just the two of us. It’s really hands-on.”

Looking ahead, she plans to deepen her role at the bench and continue evolving the company’s designs with her father. “Fine jewelry is such an investment. I want our pieces to feel timeless, maybe a little funky, but always special — something you’d never want to let go of.” It’s a philosophy she admits makes her a bit of a purist — and she’s fine with that.

This interview is part of Rapaport Magazine’s Under 30s series, profiling rising young stars of the jewelry industry. To nominate someone you know, email the editor at rachael.taylor@rapaport.com.

Main image: Serena Cipullo. (Renato Cipullo)