Tag: jewellery design
-
MALAIKA GEMS: BOTSWANA IS OUR MUSE
Aerial view of a village in Botswana Malaika Gems shines the spotlight on Botswana and East African culture through its creations Africa has been a perpetual muse for Botswana-based jewellery brand, Malaika Gems. Malaika, meaning ‘Angel’ in Swahili, is often used to refer to a beautiful girl. Botswana’s culturally rich, large semi-arid sandy savannas have…
-
SPOTLIGHT ON SPINELS
If you are an August baby, you are spoilt for choice — choose zingy green peridots or sensuous spinels. A relatively new birthstone for August, the spinel has remained one of the most under-appreciated gem, with emperors and monarchs often mistaking it for a ruby. Not surprisingly though, some of the world’s most famous ‘rubies’…
-
CINDY CHAO TAKES ON NEW HEIGHTS
Cindy Chao reflects on 15 years in the business and growth in her latest collection The past five years have been phenomenal for Cindy Chao. Her award-winning sculptural jewellery graced the red carpets of the Met Gala and the Oscars, impressing fashion pundits with her undeniably Asian aesthetic. Then there are the museum acquisitions that…
-
PERIDOTS: A PRIMER
Did you know that if you’re an August baby, you have three birthstones – peridot, spinel and sardonyx – to choose from? This week, we’re crushing on peridot, which, according to Fuli Gemstones, has always been associated with ‘light and hope.’ Perhaps, that’s why the Egyptians called it the ‘gem of the sun.’ The lemony-green…
-
HANNAH MARTIN’S NEW ACT OF REBELLION
by Smitha Sadanandan London-based Hannah Martin’s latest collection – A New Act Of Rebellion – is a call to arms, if you will. Safety pins and hardware essentials have inspired the designs that feed into the idea of the “DIY punk feel” of the collection, which is rife with references to rebellion. One of…
-
A NEW EÉRA IN PLAYFUL DESIGN
Brand: EÉRA Founders: Chiara Capitani & Romy Blanga Based In: Milan, Italy How They Met: Before launching EÈRA with Romy, Chiara was a design consultant for a variety of fashion houses, specialising in bringing creative projects to life, while Romy previously worked for a number of fashion houses in PR and brand communications before moving…
-
THE MIKIMOTO EVOLUTION
Mikimoto has been a leader in the world of cultured pearls for over 120 years. What’s next for the Japanese jewellery brand? In 1893, Kokichi Mikimoto set out on a quest for beauty and perfection, resulting in the establishment of Mikimoto – a brand synonymous with exquisite cultured pearls. The impressive feat of cultivating something…
-
BRINGING ARTEMIS TO LIFE
Brent Neale Winston liked to play with her mom’s jewellery box that sat on top of the dressing table. “I knew I wasn’t supposed to go in there without asking, but I couldn’t help myself,” she recalls. Winston never set out to be a jewellery designer. “I didn’t really consider it a career choice when…
-
RETROUVAÍ’S NEW ALCHEMY COLLECTION IS TIMELESS AND MEANINGFUL
by Smitha Sadanandan Retrouvaí, a jewellery brand founded by Toronto-born Kirsty Stone, recently unveiled its newest collection called Alchemy, which is inspired by the birth of Stone’s daughter and represents the following virtues: Love, Vitality, Bravery, and Honor. Pendants, signet rings, triple wrap bracelets, hoop earrings, and studs set with hand-cut carnelian, green turquoise,…
-
NINA RUNSDORF LAUNCHES ‘ALL THAT IS’ COLLECTION
by Smitha Sadanandan Nina Runsdorf has been designing jewellery for as long as she can remember. She recalls designing her first jewellery line – sitting in her mother’s upstate farm kitchen – when she was merely 12 years old. After an early career in fashion and getting married, Runsdorf reconnected with her passion for…
-
PIPPA SMALL’S JEWELLERY WITH A CONSCIENCE
by Smitha Sadanandan UK designer Pippa Small has been in the industry for around 25 years. She started her own business and consulting for larger brands like Gucci under Tom Ford, Chloe, and Dosa, which taught her a lot about the design process. Small is also known for her ethical collections and happens to…
-
FIVE MINUTES WITH JEAN PROUNIS
by Smitha Sadanandan Growing up, Jean Prounis was obsessed with ancient Egyptian jewellery and its connection to nature. “When I was in high school, I purchased an ancient Egyptian replica snake ring from the gift shop at Louvre and wore it every day, until the gold plating wore off,” recalls the Long Island-based designer.…