SILVIA HELENA FASSARDI VAN STENIS DESIGNER SEPTIMO Silvia Helena Fassardi van Stenis was born in 1972 in Venezuela to an Argentinean-Italian father and a Venezuelan-Italian mother. It was Silvia’s father, Carlos Fassardi, who sparked Fassardi’s interest in jewelry. At the age of 20, Fassardi’s father took her to visit a close friend at his jewelry factory in South America. Fassardi’s first trip to the workshop captivated her heart as she took in the jewelry design process. As she watched the fiery Swarovski crystals get set, her love affair with jewelry began. In 1992, Fassardi began studying silversmithing under an apprenticeship at Escuela de Orfebres Alexis de la Sierra in Caracas, Venezuela. Fassardi studied there for two years, honing her craft, using sterling silver and gold to design one-of-a-kind pieces. In 2000, Fassardi moved to the United States and was introduced to Phillipe Mourtadier, principal of First Gemology School of Florida and former designer for Cartier. Under Mourtadier’s tutelage, Fassardi immersed herself in the world of diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones. In 2005, Fassardi and long time friend Gustavo Rohrscheib Busset, a manufacturer of handbags, joined forces to design and produce jewelry and accessories as a collaborative team, naming their company SEPTIMO. The design duo chose SEPTIMO – Spanish for the word seventh – because of its lucky connotation and connection to charms and amulets, many of which appear in Fassardi’s designs. Art and nature are the primary inspirations for SEPTIMO’s color palette and materials. Fassardi’s worldly travels and love of the Amazon, Italy and Brazil are apparent in her designs with their references to trees, animals, insects, flora and fauna. Fassardi’s icon is film and style legend Sophia Loren, whom she admires for her effortlessly chic sensibility. “Accessories should complement, and never overwhelm” is Fassardi’s motto. “Quality is a matter of substance over price” is another favorite saying of Fassardi’s. Fassardi’s philosophy in business is to work hard and follow one’s intuition. When Fassardi is not busy designing, she can be found reading (favorite book: 72 Names of God by Yehuda Berg), playing tennis, watching Al Pacino films or walking her Dachshund, Oscar. She is a fan of Sarah Brightman’s music and fine red wine. For media inquiries, sample requests or interviews, please contact: Stacey Renée Benedetti/Kristina Lynch (stacey@taraink.com/kristina@taraink.com) of TARA, Ink. at 305.864.3434, ext. 140/153.