(Philadelphia, october 2026)
Tess Donatello is a multidisciplinary artist from Philadelphia working across independent filmmaking, photography and journalism. Her practice is shaped by a passion for travel, human connection and cross-cultural exploration.
We invited her to interpret Dea Rail jewelry through her own lens. The result is a series of self-portraits that weaves together her personal visual world and her connection to Italian and Roman culture.
TESS DONATELLO X DEA RAIL
(Philadelphia, october 2026)
Tess Donatello is a multidisciplinary artist from Philadelphia working across independent filmmaking, photography and journalism. Her practice is shaped by a passion for travel, human connection and cross-cultural exploration.
We invited her to interpret Dea Rail jewelry through her own lens. The result is a series of self-portraits that weaves together her personal visual world and her connection to Italian and Roman culture.
(Philadelphia, october 2026)
Tess Donatello is a multidisciplinary artist from Philadelphia working across independent filmmaking, photography and journalism. Her practice is shaped by a passion for travel, human connection and cross-cultural exploration.
We invited her to interpret Dea Rail jewelry through her own lens. The result is a series of self-portraits that weaves together her personal visual world and her connection to Italian and Roman culture.


What was your creative vision for this shoot, and how did you imagine Dea Rail within it?
As someone who deeply values discovering and working with independent brands and artists all over the world, I faced no hesitation when asked to collaborate with Dea Rail. My vision for this particular shoot took inspiration from big Italian fashion house campaigns during the 90s, while infusing the shots with my own edgy and minimal touch.
The jewelry’s versatility seamlessly blended into my artistic vision, while the brand’s independent and artisanal roots provided a grounding element to assist my visual storytelling.
What was your creative vision for this shoot, and how did you imagine Dea Rail within it?
As someone who deeply values discovering and working with independent brands and artists all over the world, I faced no hesitation when asked to collaborate with Dea Rail. My vision for this particular shoot took inspiration from big Italian fashion house campaigns during the 90s, while infusing the shots with my own edgy and minimal touch.
The jewelry’s versatility seamlessly blended into my artistic vision, while the brand’s independent and artisanal roots provided a grounding element to assist my visual storytelling.
What was your creative vision for this shoot, and how did you imagine Dea Rail within it?
As someone who deeply values discovering and working with independent brands and artists all over the world, I faced no hesitation when asked to collaborate with Dea Rail. My vision for this particular shoot took inspiration from big Italian fashion house campaigns during the 90s, while infusing the shots with my own edgy and minimal touch.
The jewelry’s versatility seamlessly blended into my artistic vision, while the brand’s independent and artisanal roots provided a grounding element to assist my visual storytelling.




You mentioned your connection to Italian and Roman culture and your family roots. Were there any particular memories, everyday rituals or visual references that inspired the scenes you created?
With a profound love for Italian – specifically Roman – culture, as well as its connection to my own ancestral roots, I aimed to showcase the functionality of these pieces as I reflected on time spent with family and friends in Italy over the years.
Rome specifically radiates a strong sense of tradition. However, the provocative art scene of rising generations is beginning to cut in, giving the city a unique charm.
You mentioned your connection to Italian and Roman culture and your family roots. Were there any particular memories, everyday rituals or visual references that inspired the scenes you created?
With a profound love for Italian – specifically Roman – culture, as well as its connection to my own ancestral roots, I aimed to showcase the functionality of these pieces as I reflected on time spent with family and friends in Italy over the years.
Rome specifically radiates a strong sense of tradition. However, the provocative art scene of rising generations is beginning to cut in, giving the city a unique charm.
You mentioned your connection to Italian and Roman culture and your family roots. Were there any particular memories, everyday rituals or visual references that inspired the scenes you created?
With a profound love for Italian – specifically Roman – culture, as well as its connection to my own ancestral roots, I aimed to showcase the functionality of these pieces as I reflected on time spent with family and friends in Italy over the years.
Rome specifically radiates a strong sense of tradition. However, the provocative art scene of rising generations is beginning to cut in, giving the city a unique charm.

I feel as though Rome is shaping into a hub for genuine creativity. Combining instinctive hard work and craftsmanship stemming from centuries of tradition, with the modern and globalized innovation born from our current youth culture, there is no doubt in my mind that this city will continue to nurture endless high-quality artistry.
I feel as though Rome is shaping into a hub for genuine creativity. Combining instinctive hard work and craftsmanship stemming from centuries of tradition, with the modern and globalized innovation born from our current youth culture, there is no doubt in my mind that this city will continue to nurture endless high-quality artistry.
I feel as though Rome is shaping into a hub for genuine creativity. Combining instinctive hard work and craftsmanship stemming from centuries of tradition, with the modern and globalized innovation born from our current youth culture, there is no doubt in my mind that this city will continue to nurture endless high-quality artistry.
I wanted to honor my own stylistic edge while paying homage to the genesis of the brand itself, a love letter to Rome.
I wanted to honor my own stylistic edge while paying homage to the genesis of the brand itself, a love letter to Rome.
I wanted to honor my own stylistic edge while paying homage to the genesis of the brand itself, a love letter to Rome.




The jewelry through Tess’s eyes:
-
ECLIPSE PAVÈ silver earcuff // 2 dimensions
€210,00 – €265,00Price range: €210,00 through €265,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
POD RING SILVER / 2 colors
€285,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
METEORITE earcuff // 2 options
gold plated bronzesterling silver€105,00 – €120,00Price range: €105,00 through €120,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
TRILOGY silver earcuff / 5 colors
€140,00 – €180,00Price range: €140,00 through €180,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
NANA earcuff / 3 colors
€210,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
MOON silver ring
€230,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
The jewelry through Tess’s eyes:
-
ECLIPSE PAVÈ silver earcuff // 2 dimensions
€210,00 – €265,00Price range: €210,00 through €265,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
POD RING SILVER / 2 colors
€285,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
METEORITE earcuff // 2 options
gold plated bronzesterling silver€105,00 – €120,00Price range: €105,00 through €120,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
TRILOGY silver earcuff / 5 colors
€140,00 – €180,00Price range: €140,00 through €180,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
NANA earcuff / 3 colors
€210,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
MOON silver ring
€230,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
The jewelry through Tess’s eyes:
-
ECLIPSE PAVÈ silver earcuff // 2 dimensions
€210,00 – €265,00Price range: €210,00 through €265,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
POD RING SILVER / 2 colors
€285,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
METEORITE earcuff // 2 options
gold plated bronzesterling silver€105,00 – €120,00Price range: €105,00 through €120,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
TRILOGY silver earcuff / 5 colors
€140,00 – €180,00Price range: €140,00 through €180,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
NANA earcuff / 3 colors
€210,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
MOON silver ring
€230,00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page