For Silvia Dusci, founder of the accessories label Le Sundial, jewelry should always evoke an emotional response. “Jewelry is a treat,” she tells Vogue. “You need to feel connected to the pieces.” As for her own designs? They all possess that magical spark.
An avid collector of vintage jewelry and found curiosities, Milan-based Dusci says the past has always been a key source of inspiration. Her first necklace—the Nautilus collar, a black onyx choker with a sterling silver seashell-shaped clasp—was inspired by a piece from her grandmother’s jewelry box. A trip to Venice with friends led her to create the Opera necklace, a long, dramatic beaded style that ends in a tassel. A chance encounter with the owners of Mercaria, a historic crafts store in Milan, took her love of tassels to new heights: “I saw an entire wall filled with colorful tassels, each crafted with different techniques and all handmade.” That’s how the idea for the Trinity came to her—a satin cord pendant with hand-cut onyx beads and a swishy tassel. “I designed these two shapes to keep the proportions balanced and not draw attention away from the tassel.”
What began as an Instagram account showcasing her inspirations and early designs quickly grew into a thriving business, with pop-ups, trunk shows, and a stylish following from New York to Paris and back to Milan. Within a year and a half, Dusci left her full-time job in event planning at a local communications agency. Now, her nine-to-five looks a little different, with each day including visits to the goldsmith and stone dealers’ workshops. “The stone dealers are a family business—two sisters with daughters who’ve taught me a lot about various stones and how to choose them.” It’s easy to lose track of time there, she says. “I get so many ideas when I’m immersed in the space.” While her shift into jewelry is a departure from her former routine, it still draws on her creative and visual expertise to tell Le Sundial’s story.
Dusci currently works from home but rarely sits still. “Sometimes I take the subway, but mostly I walk; in my dream life, I wear heels every day, but the reality is that I’m usually in ballet flats.” Her own pared-back style serves as a canvas for artful, intricate pieces: a button-up shirt is the perfect foil for a beaded choker, and a black crewneck sweater is the ideal base for an alluring pendant. She describes her approach to getting dressed as “feminine yet minimal, with a touch of something ‘wow.’” A decade in Milan—she grew up in a small town near Lake Como before moving here for school—and an enduring love for Miuccia Prada align with the fact that she feels most herself in an elegant skirt.
With a dedicated studio in the works for the new year and a Net-a-Porter debut marking a fresh chapter for her brand, Dusci shares with Vogue what a week at work looks like for her—flitting between workshops in her effortlessly graceful manner, always with a great accessory in tow.
The Work Uniform
Dusci does most of her own sketching, with occasional help from her mother, Daniella, a painter. Once complete, she takes her drawings to the goldsmith, who helps refine the technical details before bringing her creations to life. A simple black cashmere crewneck from People’s Republic of Cashmere and a pencil skirt from Azi Land are perfect for a morning working from home, reviewing samples, and workshopping new ideas. On her left hand is a new Le Sundial ring from her upcoming customizable fine jewelry collection. “The design is inspired by Art Deco vintage finds,” she says, and it will feature matching earrings. Custom grey pearls add intrigue to this daytime look, while a handmade felt cap from Maison Krasnova offers a playful wink for when she steps outside.Mellow-waist straight skirt
$540 TOTEME
$500 FWRD
Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Colombo
Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Colombo
Essentials With a Twist
For an early morning visit to the stone dealers’ workshop, Dusci keeps it simple with a few reliable favorites: a skirt from Esant (the designer is a dear friend, she says) and a shirt from Rubirosas, a recent Paris acquisition from her last trip for Mariana Vergara’s Le Popup. “I love the shape of the shirt; the cuffs are long, which allows you to play with styling them.” Inside her trusty The Row bag, a gift to herself for her 30th birthday, were cards from the Rodin museum, which she brought along for inspiration. Prada’s antiqued heels from the fall collection and a simple black leather belt, also from The Row, complete the look.
Comme Si La Shirt Classica
$275 COMME SI
Prada Antiqued pumps
$1,450 PRADA
The Row classic belt
$595 THE ROW
$595 NET-A-PORTER
The Row Marcel bag
$2,300 THE ROW
Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Colombo
Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Colombo
Make it a Set
Dusci often finds a moment of quiet reflection at Marchesi on Via Santa Maria alla Porta, where she likes to pop in during the afternoon for a cappuccino and a sweet treat—no bulky bags or laptops at the table, please. She carries only a sleek clutch for the essentials, opting for the lipstick-red Lydia here; dark olive and black versions are exclusive to Net-a-Porter. Elegant suiting works great for coffee meetings during the day, she says, but it’s a look that wouldn’t feel out of place at aperitivo either: “I love a coordinating blazer with matching pants for a monochrome moment,” she says of her Blazé Milano set. She wore it here with a tucked-in button-up and the smoky quartz Tina necklace, but on another day, she’d also style it with a T-shirt or cashmere sweater underneath. For extra chilly winter evenings, she might throw a cape on top.
Blazé Milano Chiller blazer
$2,074 BLAZÉ MILANO
Blazé Milano Fox pants
$709 BLAZÉ MILANO
Le Sundial Lydia clutch
$1,180 NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial Tina necklace
$1,185 NET-A-PORTER
Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Colombo
Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Colombo
Outerwear Heroes
The “coat as outfit” strategy is an easy way to make a singular statement in the winter. Here, it’s one from Bite Studios: “It’s very sculptural and warm, crafted from a heavy wool.” She’s wearing a vintage Prada skirt underneath, with the same pumps and The Row belt seen above. “I am quite deliberate when making a new purchase,” she explains. “I always want to be sure that every piece I buy is something I can wear in different ways.” Her Sculptural necklace, made from waxed cotton and strung with layered strands of freshwater pearls, faceted onyx, black coral, and 18kt gold beads, brings out her more eclectic side when accessorizing.
Bite Studios pleated sleeve coat
$1,480 SHOPBOP
Le Sundial The Sculptural necklace
$876 LE SUNDIAL
Prada Antiqued pumps
$1,450 PRADA
The Row classic belt
$595 THE ROW
$595 NET-A-PORTER
Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Colombo
Favorites New and Old
Dusci’s own closet is a thoughtful and deeply personal collection of vintage and contemporary finds, an old-meets-new approach best illustrated with this set: “I found this old Dolce & Gabbana jacket from one of my favorite vintage shops in Milan, Shop the Story,” she says. Rarely in jeans, even on a day off, she paired the ladylike jacket with relaxed black trousers from Toteme and her Aeyde heels—two of her go-to picks for comfort and polish. Her velvet tassel bag, a Net-a-Porter exclusive, makes for the perfect conversation starter at aperitivo: “I like to have fun and play with clutches and small bags, whereas for daytime, I prefer something more muted.”
Zara faux fur lapel cardigan
$70 ZARA
Toteme pleated wide-leg trousers
$560 NET-A-PORTER
Aeyde Helia pumps
$495 AEYDE
$425 SSENSE
Le Sundial Lee bag
$870 NET-A-PORTER
Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Colombo
Final Flourishes
The serendipitous outcome of a trip to Venice, Dusci’s Opera necklace is one of her most sought-after pieces.Her creations are popular for a reason: they are striking yet easy to style. She has worn the necklace with a simple T-shirt or a cashmere knit for daytime—paired here with a black crewneck from People’s Republic of Cashmere—and with an open-back dress for evening. Matching earrings in onyx, carnelian, or ivory complete the set. “I always choose my outfit first,” Dusci says. Accessories serve as the finishing touch; they reflect her mood.
Le Sundial Venice Opera necklace
$720 | NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial Venice Opera earrings
$545 | NET-A-PORTER
Shop more from Le Sundial’s Net-a-Porter collection below:
Le Sundial beaded earrings
$630 | NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial Trinity necklace
$555 | NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial The Sculptural necklace
$1,160 | NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial The Deco ring
$870 | NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial Lydia clutch
$1,180 | NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial Édith necklace
$780 | NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial tasseled woven cord belt
$330 | NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial Jackie earrings
$595 | NET-A-PORTER
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Silvia Dusci and her approach to Milanese style at Le Sundial designed to sound like questions from a curious reader or client
About Silvia Dusci Le Sundial
Who is Silvia Dusci
Silvia Dusci is the creative director and founder of Le Sundial a Milanbased brand known for reinterpreting classic Milanese elegance with a bold artistic and contemporary twist
What is Le Sundial
Le Sundial is a fashion brand and creative studio that offers readytowear clothing unique accessories and artistic objects Its known for blending highquality Italian craftsmanship with a distinctive graphic and architectural sensibility
What does an artistic touch mean in this context
It means Silvia approaches fashion like an artist or architect She uses clothing as a canvas playing with clean lines geometric patterns bold color blocking and sculptural shapes moving beyond traditional understated Milanese style
Understanding the Style
What is Milanese Style traditionally
Traditional Milanese style is known for its understated elegance luxury and impeccable tailoring Think neutral palettes highquality fabrics and timeless sophisticated pieces that prioritize subtlety over flashiness
How does Silvia Dusci change or challenge that traditional style
She injects it with personality and art While she respects the foundation of quality and cut she adds dramatic sleeves striking prints architectural silhouettes and vibrant colors that make a statement making it less minimalist and more expressive
Can you give an example of her artistic touch
A classic example is her use of the sundial motif as a recurring graphic element on silk scarves dresses or jewelry Another is transforming a simple trench coat or blazer with exaggerated sculptural shoulders or a perfectly placed color block panel
Is this style wearable for everyday life or is it just for show
A core part of her philosophy is wearable art The pieces are designed to be integrated into a real wardrobe You might pair a bold graphic skirt with a simple black turtleneck letting that one artistic piece be the focus of an otherwise elegant outfit
For Potential Customers Style Enthusiasts
Who typically wears Le Sundial
Women who appreciate art and design and who