“Luxury doesn't have to be solemn.” Interview with Cynthia Vilchez Castiglioni, founder of Aliita

Founded in 2015 by Cynthia Vilchez Castiglioni, Aliita has established itself in the jewelry scene for its discreet and refined style, capable of blending timeless elegance with a playful and irreverent touch. In this quick and answer interview, Cynthia Vilchez Castiglioni tells us about the vision, roots and craftsmanship that guide her creative universe.

Interview with Cynthia Vilchez Castiglioni

How do your Venezuelan roots and Italian craftsmanship merge to shape the brand's identity?

It's already written in the name. Aliita means 'important object' in Wayuu, the language of the indigenous population of my region, and it is also the anagram of Italy. Venezuela gives me color, warmth, sense of humor and the idea that an object can contain a story. Italy gives me discipline: goldsmiths, precision, respect for materials. Every jewel is made in Italy, while our cases are still handmade by communities in Venezuela. In this way, both countries travel together in each box.

How can you balance the refinement with the irony of everyday objects such as the Plug-In bracelet or the Deco Sandwich ring?

For me, the irony only works if the execution is rigorous. I start from something that everyone recognizes, an electrical socket, a sandwich, and I reduce it to its purest, almost geometric lines. Gold and natural stones do the rest. The object makes you smile, the craftsmanship makes you want to keep it forever. Luxury doesn't have to be solemn; it can be joyful while remaining refined.

Female empowerment is a central value for Aliita. How is this philosophy manifested in the daily life and corporate culture of the brand?

Start with the team: Aliita is a small reality composed mainly of women, and I want everyone to feel involved, to be free to propose ideas and to grow. We try to guarantee flexibility to women who are also mothers, because I know very well how difficult it is to find a balance. This approach then extends to the people we work with, such as the women in Venezuela who make our cases. For our customers, on the other hand, I like to think of our jewels as small talismans: a reminder to follow your own path.

Adopting a 'slower pace and process' contrasts with the frenzy of contemporary fashion. How do you face the challenges of slow jewellery while continuing to innovate?

Slow doesn't mean static. We produce in small batches in Italy, we choose gold from responsible sources and we don't chase the seasons. This leaves us the time necessary to really experiment: a new cut, a polish never tried, a new shape can take months before it turns out right. The real challenge is to say no to the pressure of always having to propose something new. However, I believe that people are tired of disposable objects and that they are looking for things with meaning, destined to last.

Congratulations on Aliita's 10th anniversary! Looking back on this extraordinary ten-year journey, what is your proudest achievement?

The fact that Aliita has become a recognizable brand without ever needing to scream. People see a charm and immediately know it's ours. I am proud of the community we have created: customers who collect our pieces to celebrate every chapter of their lives, the artisans who grew up with us, the retailers who believed in the project from the beginning. And, on a personal level, having built something authentic, which after ten years still reflects exactly who I am.

What inspired us to use the faucet as a symbol for this important goal?

The bathroom represents an intimate and precious moment, and the faucet is literally a source of inspiration. It is the place where the day begins, where water rises, the most essential element. After ten years, it seemed like the perfect metaphor: an open source of ideas, energy and gratitude that keeps flowing. And of course, transformed into gold, it also becomes a small and ironic game on the concept of luxury.

What is there in the next ten years of the brand?

We will continue to grow, but in the Aliita way: slowly and with intention. I would like to explore other objects outside of jewelry, as we have already done with the collaboration for the glass line, and deepen our commitment to increasingly sustainable materials. Above all, I want Aliita to keep her playful soul. If in ten years one of our jewels can still make someone smile, then we will have done our job.