Featured Brand
Apr 8, 2025
Yves Spinelli & Dwyer Kilcollin - Spinelli Kilcollin
Yves Spinelli & Dwyer Kilcollin’s brand redefined fine jewelry with their signature interlocking Galaxy rings and artful, ethically crafted collections from L.A.
Isabella J. Romano
isabella.j.romano@fifthavemag.com
This platinum 1998 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref. 16516, with a diamond-set mother-of-pearl dial is estimated to fetch between $850,000 and $1.7 million when it goes up for auction at Sotheby's.
Q: What inspired you to launch Spinelli Kilcollin back in 2010?
Yves Spinelli: I was working at Maxfield concept store in L.A. when I first saw that rigid “bar ring” design—like brass knuckles, but without the aggression—and thought, “What if rings spanned multiple fingers yet still moved naturally?”
That curiosity led me to prototype a sterling-silver linked ring in my garage, and once Dwyer tried it on, friends started asking where they could get one. That’s when we realized we had something special.
Q: How did the original Galaxy ring concept come about?
Dwyer Kilcollin: Yves brought me that first design, and I was immediately taken by its fluidity—rings connected yet separate, like a mini sculpture for your hand.
We fine-tuned the connectors so the pieces felt weightless and ergonomic, and the name “Galaxy” captured that sense of stars in constellation, working together yet distinct.
Q: Sustainability and local production are key to your brand—how do you uphold those values?
Yves Spinelli: From day one, we committed to manufacturing exclusively in Downtown L.A., building long-term relationships with our artisans and ensuring every piece is traceable.
We also source recycled gold and platinum and partner only with suppliers who adhere to strict ethical standards for diamonds and colored stones.
Q: How do you divide creative and operational roles between you two?
Dwyer Kilcollin: I serve as Creative Director—guiding the aesthetic, conceptual direction, and editorial for our magazine.
Yves handles operations, sales strategy, and partnerships, which lets us each focus on our strengths and keep the brand agile and cohesive.
Q: Your Black Gold alloy made headlines in 2019—what drove that innovation?
Yves Spinelli: We loved the look of black rhodium plating, but customers worried about wear over time. So we collaborated with Rogelio Ortega and Elias Ruiz to blend yellow gold with palladium into a stable “Black Gold” alloy that retains a dark-gray hue and resists fading.
We launched it at Bergdorf Goodman, and it quickly became a new staple for our interlinked ring stacks.
Q: Spinelli Kilcollin now spans jewelry, eyewear, furniture, and publishing—how did that diversification evolve?
Dwyer Kilcollin: Our core mission is to create versatile, conceptual objects that blur art and utility. After mastering the modular ring, it felt natural to apply that mindset to eyewear frames, sculptural tables, and a magazine.
Every new category is an extension of our belief that design should be lived with and celebrated, not just admired behind glass.
Q: How does Los Angeles shape your brand’s identity?
Yves Spinelli: L.A. is a nexus of creativity, where fashion, art, music, and film collide. That energy fuels our ethos of boundary-pushing design and inclusivity—the idea that fine jewelry can be bold yet wearable.
Our local community of artisans and collaborators inspires us daily and keeps us grounded in the authentic L.A. spirit.
Q: What’s next for Spinelli Kilcollin—any long-term visions?
Dwyer Kilcollin: We aim to deepen our sustainable practices by exploring upcycled gemstones and zero-waste production. Longer term, we’re dreaming of a foundation to support emerging L.A. artists and artisans, so our creative ecosystem thrives for decades to come.
And of course, we’ll keep designing new ways to connect pieces—and people—through our signature interlinked approach. You can find our collection from here
