A two-way dialogue between professional experience and the pleasure of driving: on one side the world of jewellery, made up of family tradition, international markets and a taste for design, on the other the passion for cars and driving techniques, with an attention to Bentley Bentayga, luxury SUV which combines comfort and performance.
Giampaolo Tenchini: Let's start with your work. Your jewelry company has a long history, over 100 years old. How did it all begin?
Silvia DamianiThe story of Damiani is that of an Italian family originally from Valenza, the world's most important goldsmith district for fine jewelry. It all began in 1924, with our grandfather Enrico, the company's founder, who, thanks to his great creative and manual skills, became the jewelry reference for the area's most high-ranking noble families. Our grandfather was then succeeded by our father Damiano, who, together with our mother Gabriella, transformed what began as an atelier into a truly structured company. In the 90s, the baton was passed to my brothers and I, the third generation, who chose to continue the Maison's evolution, transforming Damiani into an international brand that represents true Made in Italy around the world. Our goal is to continually grow the company, remaining faithful to the values that have defined it since its origins, and then pass it on to our children, the fourth generation, when the time is right. In fact, in our family, we've always had a clear rule: anyone joining the company must have adequate training, both academically and professionally. It's important that whoever is at the helm has the skills and passion to do so."
Giampaolo Tenchini: As you mentioned, your market is very international…
Silvia Damiani: "Yes, over the years, Damiani has evolved from a primarily Italian company to an international brand, distributed globally in the most prestigious locations in luxury and cultural capitals and in the world's leading department stores and multi-brand stores. What has always set us apart from other luxury brands owned by large holding companies, however, is our family and personal dimension. Personal relationships continue to be crucial for us, and our clients appreciate this. They know that Damiani is not just the name of the brand, but also my brothers' and my surname. This is a source of pride for us, but also a great responsibility towards them. Our top clients can contact me, Giorgio, or Guido directly for assistance with their special requests, or even just for advice. This is a plus that few other luxury brands can count on.
Giampaolo Tenchini: Let's change perspective and talk about cars. What excites you most about a luxury car?
Silvia Damiani: "I really like soft, rounded lines. A bit like in jewelry: I find softened shapes more elegant. For example, I love coupes and cars in general with a very sculpted rear end.
Silvia Damiani: What are the main features of the Bentley Bentayga from a technical and driving point of view?
Giampaolo Tenchini: "The Bentayga is a very interesting compromise between luxury and performance. Bentley has historically been a brand capable of combining these two souls: extreme comfort but also driving dynamics. It's not a car designed solely for chauffeur-driven driving, as is often the case with other luxury vehicles."
Silvia Damiani: Despite its size, it's surprisingly agile at the wheel...
Giampaolo Tenchini: "Much of the credit goes to the four-wheel steering. The rear wheels also participate in the steering, which reduces the feeling of bulk. In practice, the car turns better in tight spaces and becomes more stable in fast corners."
Silvia Damiani: What are the most important technical tips to keep in mind when driving?
Giampaolo Tenchini: "There are two fundamentals. The first is to stay in your lane, especially on mountainous or very winding roads. Cutting corners gives the illusion of going faster, but in reality you lose the perception of the car's agility and reduce safety. Staying in your lane makes you feel the chassis work much more. Also, look ahead, the basic rule of road driving. If you only look at the car in front, you react too late. The average reaction time of an attentive driver is about seven-tenths of a second: at 100 km/h, that means you travel almost twenty meters before reacting. By looking ahead, you anticipate what's happening, and driving becomes smoother."
Silvia Damiani: Today's cars are increasingly powerful. Has the way we drive them changed?
Giampaolo Tenchini: Modern cars are incredibly safe, with sophisticated electronics and control systems. But precisely for this reason, it's easy to underestimate speed. With a thousand horsepower, it only takes a few seconds to find yourself much faster than you think. The most common mistake is approaching a corner too fast. Safety systems can correct small errors, but if the speed is too high, no technology can stop it. The Bentayga, even in Sport mode, remains a Bentley: powerful, but never uncomfortably aggressive. Power delivery is smooth, the automatic transmission is highly predictive, and comfort remains extremely high. It's a car that can take long journeys without tiring. Bentley has always sought this balance: luxury, performance, and a certain elegance in driving.
Silvia Damiani: "Ultimately, jewelry and cars have several things in common: beyond design and attention to detail, both are objects meant to excite."
