Sonia Petroff’s inaugural luxury jewellery and accessories collection was launched in the Autumn of 2018 under the creative direction of Maria Leoni-Sceti, successor to the design archives of legendary jewellery and accessories designer Sonia Petroff. The debut collection brought to life again Sonia’s distinctive and adventurous creative vision, drawing inspiration from nature, travel and art.
The first collection was equal parts luxury vintage and modern chic. Inspired by Sonia’s original handmade jewellery designs from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s and discovered in her archives by Maria, the collection has become iconic in its own right. The pieces have been updated to give them a contemporary edge, yet they maintain the vibrancy and joy of the decades in which they were designed.
The collection features statement accessories that are perfect for any event – whether you’re heading to a party or adding a touch of glamour to your everyday look. With bold colours, opulent stones, and intricate details, the result is a timeless collection that will add a unique and effervescent twist to any outfit.
Our Luxury Statement Belts in particular embody the ethos and uniqueness of the brand. Made from the finest materials, a Sonia Petroff belt is both beautiful and practical, and is versatile enough to be worn with everything from jeans to evening wear. Our belts capture the essence of Sonia’s style – framed by wide leather strips and twisted silk cords, the gold-plated brass, and jewelled cabachons take centre stage and naturally draw the eye. Beyond the first eye-catching impression, you’ll notice our impeccable attention to detail. Take a closer look at our small rams heads that frame our Aries belts or the hand-worked texture on our Shield ring.
Whether you choose to wear our accessories to make a statement or to add a pop of colour to your outfit, any Sonia Petroff piece you choose is sure to bring positive energy to the wearer and capture the attention of those around you.
Our Story
Sonia’s timeless designs
Sonia Petroff was a highly respected accessories designer in the 1960s and 1970s, right up to her retirement in the late 1980s.
Alongside establishing her own brand, she had a successful career working as a private jewellery designer for many of the great fashion houses, including Valentino, Balmain, and Nina Ricci. A seasoned adventurer and world traveller, Sonia imbued her designs with a unique sense of confidence and femininity while joyfully rebelling against the traditions of her time. With inspiration deeply rooted in the abundant colours and forms of nature and eternal symbols used in art and architecture, her statement designs transcend seasons and elevate any outfit.
At the same time, her wicked sense of humour ensured that each piece contained elements of playfulness and joy. It is easy to see why her effortlessly chic designs struck a chord with women all over the world. Born into Bulgarian aristocracy, Sonia was a well-known member of the Italian Riviera jet set. However, she lived life on her own terms, travelling the world as an independent woman.
When she wasn’t lighting up La Piazzetta in Capri or vacationing with Marlon Brando in Paris, she was a regular on the Studio 54 dance floor. Her sense of individuality and passion for adventure shine through the Sonia Petroff collection – her accessories are for women who look to express themselves authentically and live life on their own terms. After her death in 2015 her extensive archive of designs passed to her nephew and his wife Maria Leoni-Sceti. This treasure trove would go on to become the foundation of the Sonia Petroff collection available today.
Maria’s modern vision
The story of the legendary and iconic Couture Accessory Designer Sonia Petroff, has been brought to life, thanks to businesswoman and creative entrepreneur Maria Leoni-Sceti, wife of Sonia’s nephew.
Originally from the US, Maria studied in Vienna, Oxford and Paris and her first job was at Saatchi and Saatchi in Rome.
Having lived in six countries and travelled many more, Maria naturally connected with Sonia’s wanderlust lifestyle and loved spending time with her. She was therefore delighted to have been entrusted with Sonia’s design archive upon her death and didn’t want them to languish in a drawer to be forgotten about. Maria was enamoured with the vibrancy and opulence showcased by each item in the archive.
The vast collection of handmade belts, bags, earrings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets had been preserved perfectly and echoed the glamorous and liberated lifestyle Sonia enjoyed. The designs also echoed Sonia’s love of nature with inspiration drawn from sea creatures, flora and fauna as well as her extensive world travels. After spending several months exploring and cataloguing the archive, both enthralled and inspired, Maria knew it was time to bring Sonia’s vision to life once more; she decided to take a leap of faith and produce her own collection as a tribute to Sonia. And so Sonia Petroff the brand was reborn. Maria strongly believes in mindful purchases. Her business strategy reflects this, forgoing periodic collections in favour of a few new additions to the ongoing collection each year. This process supports the notion that these investment pieces are enduring and can be passed on through the generations. Indeed, Maria’s daughter is often seen sporting an iconic Sonia Petroff belt herself!
Handmade in Tuscany
Ethical production is at the core of Sonia Petroff’s values and is brought to life in our responsible and sustainable processes. The journey from our workshop to your wardrobe is something we are passionate about. All of our creations are handcrafted by specifically trained artisans in the heart of Tuscany, Italy.
Our experts create in small batches with minimal waste, and use resources sparingly. We believe in sustainable, mindful purchases, so when you invest in luxury accessories from Italy, you’re not just buying a beautiful piece of craftsmanship - you’re acquiring a timeless work of art that can be passed down through the generations.
From luxurious leather handbags to exquisite handmade jewellery, our collections are designed to be treasured forever. When you give a gift from our luxury Italian collections, you’re giving someone the chance to own a piece of history.
We’re proud to have been awarded the Butterfly Mark from Positive Luxury. This is a symbol of trust earned by brands that have adopted sustainability as a business strategy. You can find out more about the butterfly mark and what we’ve been awarded it for on our product pages.
GIVING BACK & SUSTAINABILITY
I truly believe education is the movement from darkness to light.
Maria Leoni-Sceti
Sonia Petroff supports the charity Room to Read, of which Maria is an active board member. A charity which instils young women with confidence and opens opportunities via education is a cause that Sonia herself would be proud to be involved in.
