Fashion students receive royal advice
Prince Dimitri, School of Fashion’s professional mentor, shared his experience and advice with students in a Q&A session.
by Mackenzie Lachey
Students packed the DMC theater Jan. 19 to hear Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia speak about his illustrious career in jewelry design. Following the lecture, students and guests participated in a Q&A with the prince who is currently the School of Fashion’s professional mentor.
Prof. Salvatore Lo Sicco officiated the lecture, beginning the presentation by leading attendees on a journey through royal history. He completed the tour with videos of royal weddings that appeared to be straight from a fairy tale.
Prince Dimitri, related to the royal family in Europe and notable royals such as Louis XIV, “literally knows everyone in the industry,” Lo Sicco stated as he displayed photos of the prince standing next to prominent figures, Prince William and Carolina Herrera.
Prince Dimitri’s interest in jewelry came from his mother, Princess Maria Pia of Savoy. As a child, he was fascinated by his mother’s rings and jewels and fell in love with jewelry, he stated, but he did not originally set out to be in the jewelry industry.
Prince Dimitri graduated from law school but ultimately decided it was not for him. After sixteen years as the vice president of jewelry at Sotheby’s and the head of jewelry at Phillips de Pury and Luxembourg auction houses, he started his own company bearing his name, Prince Dimitri LLC, in 2007.
As the president and creative director of his own company, he is able to design and create his own visions. His designs are centered around gemstones and a sense of glamour and whimsicality, he stated. His jewelry designs also emphasize movement.
“Anything in jewelry that has movement is very glamorous,” he said. He believes this movement emphasizes the unique motion of the wearer and forces her to be aware of her movements and the piece she is wearing.
The prince left students with his advice on design. “As designers,” he stated, “always have your antennae out,” for inspiration can be found in the most unsuspecting places.
