Born and raised in Paris, she studied at the Atelier de Sevres, a fine arts preparatory school before moving to New York in 1992 to enroll at Parson’s School of Design for a degree in Fine Arts.

After graduation, needing to expand her knowledge, she moved to Florence, Italy and studied frescoe technique and painting.

Living the life of a fine artist, she became part of a group show at Saci Gallery in Italy and she also participated in a group show at Parson's School of Design in 1997.

A change in life status made her look deeper into practical arts, starting a ceramic dinnerware in 2000, when she was pregnant with her elder son.

The line includes salad bowls and dessert dishes, which features ‘explosions of color’ from a special glaze containing crystals that burst in the kiln. And like her works of art, all of Sydney Albertini’s ceramic ware has her signature.

Design motifs in Albertini dinnerware include coral and cherry blossoms, animal patterns and abstract shapes inspired by Matisse. She also designs custom dinnerware, her biggest order from Adriana Cisneros, for her wedding and for Aerin Lauder that featured black & white abstract plate with butterfly side dishes.

With her ceramic ware, Albertini’s exploration of practical arts was just beginning. Branching into jewelry, her vision is distinctive.

Using vintage chains, crystal drops from old chandeliers, Swarovski pearls and an eclectic mix of hand-cast and hand-painted objects Azis necklaces are witty, baroque and utterly unique.

The designer’s advice is to "buy what you like when you see it" because she never knows when (or if) she’ll be able to put her hands on the same combination of elements ever again, making her jewelry either one-of-a-kind or an instant collector’s item.

And for Spring / Summer 2006, Sydney Albtertini introduces her new collection of "charming" necklaces and bracelets at Space Downtown in Chelsea. With prices ranging form $75 to $225, buying a work of art becomes very affordable.

Space Downtown
276 W. 25th Street
Red Door
New York, NY 10001
212 352 9968
www.spacedowntown.com