Winterson
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Winterson Prize 2018: Meet the Designers Part I
Winterson Prize 2018: Meet the Designers Part I
Each year we work with the student jewellery designers at Central Saint Martins in London, giving them an opportunity to experience designing with pearls for their final year collections.
We will be awarding the Winterson Prize 2018 to one of the students for ‘The Best Use of Pearls’ at the CSM Jewellery Awards Evening on 21st June. The BA Jewellery graduate collections are exhibited at CSM and open to the public from June 20th - 24th.
Here we feature the first part in a series of short interviews with designers from the CSM Jewellery 2018 show, including in this article - Aidan Madden, Bam Jansanjai, Beichen Guan, Biying Chen and Gabriella Goldsmith.
Read Part II of this series and about Aidan Madden, the winner of this year's prize.
Aidan Madden
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I sit somewhere between contempory and fine jewelry. I appreciate tradition, but like to turn it on its head.
What was the inspiration for the 'Pearl Culture' collection?
Initially, I had no interest in pearls. This was a good starting point, as I hadn't any preconceptions of how they should be represented. This pushed me to change them significantly through unconventional methods.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
I find there is much more potential as a material rather an embelishment. Once you begin to cut and join them they have infinite potential.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
Exposing the pearls' nucleus is what drew my attention, prompting the series of ‘pearl faces’ and pearl tubes.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Taffin and Hemmerle; they do things differently and have an experimental way of working with materials.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
My collection is playful and diverse so I feel it will reach out to a broad spectrum of people.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
A design that transcends the current trends.
What’s next for you after CSM?
I would like to continue working with pearls and expanding on my collection.
Bam Jansanjai
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I like working in positive, playful and unique designs with different materials creating jewellery with stories. So my jewellery is the way that I express myself to other people.
What was the inspiration for the 'How to Wear Good Luck' collection?
I think it is very interesting how people give objects the meaning and value that represent something spiritual and how one object can mean something to someone. So I wanted to explore a context of jewellery that is more than just an adornment, a jewellery that brings luck to the wearers or at least brings a positive energy to them. This collection is inspired by 13 old good luck superstitions that are converted into a wearable jewellery in modern context.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
One of the pieces in my collection is called “Magic Mole”. People believe that moles indicate luck so I made pearl moles that ones can stick on their faces in the position where they want to enhance the luck. So I want to add value to the mole and to emphasize their specialness with pearl.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
Pearls are very fragile. Working with them required a lot of patience but it somehow gave me calmness.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Alessandro Michele.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
Everyone. Basically, anyone who wants to brighten up their day with a little help from good luck jewellery.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
The concept and a good design that capture everyone’s attention.
What’s next for you after CSM?
For me, being successful in competitive world of design requires a lot more than just design skills. So I have decided to do MA in Luxury Brand Management.
View more of Bam's work here.
Beichen Guan (Esther)
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a Chinese student who has studied in Central Saints Martin BA Jewelry Design for 3 years. I am super interested about Architectural design and Installation art, it also can be a skill in several artistic mediums.
What was the inspiration for the 'Ultra Sparking Smiles' collection?
For this collection, inspired from the star pattern of “emoji ” that people easily can understand, into those teeth whitening products and tools. In a entertaining way to show people just like me who try so hard to whiten their teeth because of the aesthetic feeling pressures from society.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
Lots of people adore the pearly whitened teeth that those Hollywood stars have after 2000. I am trying to find the way to showing my feeling of teeth whitening industry as jewelry designer. The variety of a pearl’s shape and color make a really good figure of human teeth.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
I try to used mother of pearl carving skills to cut out a rhombus shinning pattern that describes the message of dental teeth whitening. Also I using graduated color to represent the different aesthetic varieties of subcultures related to the teeth whitening.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
I find such designers brand as Ambush, Dubellier and Schield to be highly inspiring and contemporary.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
This collection is quite personal as it's my point of view. It's talking about the people who like me, wish to whiten their teeth to have the pearly shining teeth like those stars have.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
Probably just like Melvyn Kirtley, Tiffany chief gemologist said, “ always pushing the boundaries of innovation, and doing things that we’ve never done before.”
What’s next for you after CSM?
I will try to do some internship jobs after I graduate, to learn more things outside of college.
View more of Beichen's work here.
Biying Chen
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Biying and I am from China. My jewellery always has a strong interaction with the wearer.
What was the inspiration for the 'Jewellery Shop' collection?
I found customers’ and salesperson’s attitude to display items were entirely different during my work experience in 2016, which led me think about the value of display props.The comparison of the shop window in the day and night was my direct inspiration. At night, jewellery pieces are often removed and stored for safety. It seems that the display props become the protagonist in the showcase.In this collection, I used the preciousness of pearls to question and highlight the value of display props.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
Pearls are not as aggressive as other gemstones. With their natural, random lustre and general relatively smooth edges, for me, pearls can reflect the softness of femininity.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
Although not all the pearls are exactly the same size when I ask a specific size in the shop, I find it even more natural which gives a contrast to the precise machine work.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Otto Künzli and Giorgio Morandi.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
Energetic and playful people.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
The particular concept behind a piece is the most crucial factor.
What’s next for you after CSM?
I woud like to learn more about the jewellery industry and start to set up my own business.
Gabriella Mika Goldsmith
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Denmark. With an American dad and a Danish mom, I always felt the need of travelling which eventually led me to move to London to continue my further education. I have found that studying jewellery and living in London has given me the insight to a world of wonderful odd eccentrics and charismas.
What was the inspiration for this collection?
The collection reflects on my inner sub-conscious that allows to dream away by presenting identity’s different from the one you see in real life thus the facial features presented throughout the work. I was inspired by the thoughts behind surrealism and therefor the bubbles have become an instrument to allow one to sooth away by recapturing childhood moments disturbing the rational.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
Each cultured pearl is unique, and I find it fascinating how we can use these water-made species in our jewellery. They are subtle but have a beautiful glaze with their skin like colours.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
That they are extremely fragile, that there are so many different types of “real” pearls, and that they shouldn’t be regarded as a conservative jewel!
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Tone Vigeland and Alexander McQueen – and so many others!
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
Anyone who are willing to challenge conventional jewellery and has an appreciation for the craft.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
A design that everyone can appreciate, is timeless with the highest level of craftsmanship.
What’s next for you after CSM?
I have just been accepted for an MA at Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam.
View more of Gabriella's work here. -
Introducing the new Mythologie collection
Introducing the new Mythologie collection
Introducing the Mythologie collection, inspired by the myths and legends of the fabled pearl. The wonderful shape of the pearl, and its associations with water, has reached across many cultures and celebrated as a symbol of purity, love and wisdom.
This legend of the drop shaped pearl is the basis of our inspiration for Mythologie. Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, was born from the sea, and the Greeks believed that pearls were created from the drops of water that cascaded from her body as she rose from the ocean. Hindu folklore also speaks of pearls as dewdrops that have tumbled out of the night, into the moonlit sea. Shafts of light from the moon drew oysters to the surface of the water, glistening with heavenly dew.
Image 1: Classic Leverbacks with Mythologie Amethyst Drops in White Gold
Image 2: Mythologie Akoya Pearl and Diamond Pendant in White Gold
Chinese legends suggest that pearls were the thoughts formed inside the mind of the dragon, and brought into the world as the drops of mist of the dragon’s breath. Arabian myths suggest pearls are hardened moon drops. The ancient Japanese believed they were created from the tears of fantastical creatures, such as mermaids, nymphs, and angels.
The collection features earrings and pendants created from amethyst, green amethyst, rose quartz, London blue topaz, aquamarine and citrine – and of course the pearl – all complemented with a delicate pave of diamonds, like drops of dew.
Image 1: Mythologie Akoya Pearl and Diamond Pendant in Yellow Gold
Image 2: Classic Leverbacks with Mythologie London Blue Topaz Drops in Yellow Gold
The Mythologie earring drops have also been specially created as a complement to our classic Diamond Leverbacks. The leverbacks are already a versatile addition to any jewellery wardrobe, with a range of interchangeable pearls in Akoya, freshwater drops, Tahitian pearls in tones of grey, black and peacock, and stunning golden and white South Sea pearls. The new Mythologie drops extends this flexibility further, with colour or tone, whatever your outfit.
For the Mythologie collection, we are also introducing a new blue diamond leverback earring in white gold, and a pink diamond leverback in yellow gold. These two new earrings offer a dramatic complement to the new gemstone drops, creating a stunning way to change the style of your jewellery.
Image 1: Classic Leverbacks with Mythologie Rose Quartz Drops in Rose Gold
Image 2: Mythologie Green Amethyst and Diamond Pendant in Rose Gold
To match the leverback fittings, the Mythologie pendants are available in the same gemstone combinations and are suspended below a special drop-shaped white diamond pendant, finished in 18 carat white gold.
The pearl’s long association with love is captured in the fable of Krishna, the Hindu god of love, who dived to the bottom of the ocean to capture the finest pearl drop to give as a gift on the marriage of his daughter. In the Ramayana, the elements of earth, fire, air and water offer up gifts to the gods; the sea offers the pearl, and the gods wear them next to their hearts.
Give the gift of love with a piece of jewellery from Mythologie collection. -
Introducing the stellar Astral collection
Introducing the stellar Astral collection
Astral is our new collection of jewellery, inspired by the stars, and captures the night sky's brilliance in radiant diamonds and heavenly combinations of colourful sapphires.
Grouping three round faceted gemstones as the central motif, the collection also references the occurrence of the number three in nature – from the triangular patterns within major constellations, to the classical trefoil of petals and leaves. The number 3 was believed by ancient cultures to convey good fortune, representing wholeness and the unity of harmony, wisdom and understanding.
Image: Astral Cluster Pendant and Astral Cluster Earrings in Yellow Gold
Taking as our starting point the mirrored configuration of the Summer and Winter Triangles, groupings of major stars that are visible in the height of summer and depth of winter, Astral draws on spectacular celestial events from the Aurora Borealis to the Red Nova, to inspire a selection of gems that are as bold and clear in their colours as they are radiant in their fire.
Astral Cluster showcases its white diamonds to recreate stellar constellations, the groupings of radiant stars that are visible on Earth under clear skies. Comprising a pendant and stud earrings set with 2.5mm or 3mm diamonds, Astral Cluster is available both in 18ct yellow and white gold.
Image 1: Astral Dawn Earrings in White Gold
Image 2: Astral Blaze Earrings in Yellow Gold
Three additional colourways are similarly inspired by spectacular moments in the night sky.
Astral Blaze resembles the sumptuous fire of a magical sunset, with six faceted sapphires in tones of apricot, deep pink and fiery orange hand-set in 18 carat yellow gold. Astral Lagoon captures the opulent reflection of the night skies in ocean water, studded with blue diamonds, tanzanites and deep hued amethysts, hand-set in 18 carat white gold. And Astral Dawn evokes the exquisite break of dawn, as the first rays of sun merge with the stars, captured by six faceted sapphires in tones of purple, pink and rose, hand-set in 18 carat white gold.
Image: The Astral collection
The coloured gemstone series comprises a matching pendant and earrings, hand-set with 3mm gems in 18 carat gold. The Astral studs also form an additional complement to our selection of interchangeable pearls that can be purchased independently. These pearl fittings can already be worn with earrings from the pretty gemstones of our Lief collection to the pave diamond leaves of the Enchanted range.
With the new collection, the Astral Blaze earrings provide a spectacular contrast to the stunning dark hues of the Tahitian pearl, the Astral Lagoon studs are the perfect partner for our peacock Tahitian pearls and the Astral Dawn gems will draw out the rose blush overtones of the white Akoya pearls.
In early December, a stunning leverback drop earring to complement our classic diamond leverback earrings will also feature the Blaze and Lagoon gems set against citrines in rich honey tones and imperial purple amethysts.
View the Astral collection here. -
Shortlisted for the NAJ Website of the Year
Shortlisted for the NAJ Website of the Year
We are delighted and thrilled to announce that Winterson has been shortlisted for 'Website of the Year' in the National Association of Jeweller's annual awards for 2017.
The NAJ is the premier industry association in the UK, representing over 2,000 members that operate in every aspect of jewellery. Winterson has been a member of NAJ since 2010. We are honoured to be chosen amongst our peers to be shortlisted for this award.
A new awards category in 2017, Website of the Year recognises outstanding websites that are customer friendly and inspire the user to make an informed purchase.
As a primary point of contact with our customer, we need Winterson's website to behave as if it were a highly knowledgeable member of our customer service team.
During the past year we have introduced a number of key improvements to the website and we hope that these have enhanced your shopping experience with us. These include making improvements to the website's suggestions and search function, the ease of navigation across the site and its ability to work across different devices.
With our independent partner Feefo, we also ask every customer for their genuine feedback on our services. Pearls have always had a unique beauty and quality. We are really delighted to hear some of the testimonials and real-life connections that have been made with our jewellery.
The winner of the Website of the Year award will be announced at a glittering awards presentation on the 7th of December, attended by almost 400 jewellers.
A big thank you to the NAJ and the judges for shortlisting Winterson! -
The spectacular rise and style of Rose Gold
The spectacular rise and style of Rose Gold
What do Apple, Birkenstock, Beats and Hervé Léger all have in common? They have all succumbed to the appeal of a material that jewelers have long celebrated – rose gold.
Now a major colour trend across homeware, technology and accessories, rose gold adorns products that are as diverse as Wet N Wild lip gloss and the iPhone. Recognising its popularity, in 2016 the Pantone Institute chose a blend of warm Rose Quartz with a more tranquil Serenity blue as its Colour of the Year, influencing product design and direction.
What is rose gold?
Rose gold is a composite gold alloy of 75% yellow gold, 22.25% copper and 2.75% silver. It finds its purest form as Crown Gold, a 22 carat mix of 91.667% yellow gold and 8.333% copper. This alloy has been used to mint British Sovereign coins since Henry VIII introduced it in 1526.
Image 1: Zigzag Diamond Pendant
Image 2: Pair of Zigzag Diamond Earrings with Akoya Pearls
Variations such as pink and red gold arise from modifications to the amount of copper and silver that are added to the mix, either amplifying or lightening the dusky rose tones.
What are its origins?
The history of rose gold also finds an echo in its last golden age: in Imperial Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century. Royal jeweler, Carl Fabergé, popularized the metal as a royal favourite, creating some of his most ornamental pieces in delicate blush tones.
Most famously, the “Moscow Kremlin” egg was commissioned by Emperor Nicholas II as a gift for his wife. The gold and white enamel egg was housed within a miniature replica of Red Square’s fifteenth century Spasskaya Tower and, at 11,800 rubles, was one of Fabergé’s highest value commissions.
Rose gold rising
Symbolism is undergoing a significant and seemingly unstoppable popular revival, particularly in jewellery. The emotional impact of its colour, with all its myriad interpretations and meaning, is widely studied by designers and marketeers alike.
Image 1: Grey Tahitian Pearls with Diamond Leverback Earrings
Image 2: Classic 0.10ct Diamond Pendant
“When we get to the rose family,” says Leatrice Eiseman, the Pantone Institutes’ executive director, “we get ‘compassion, composure, warmth’, something that draws you in.”
One of the reasons for rose's popularity today is that, for consumer goods companies, this warmth has huge potential in attracting new customers. In growth markets such as China, the luxury connotations of gold and the “sense of mindfulness” that Eiseman identifies with its rose-hued cousin has significant appeal.
On trend for the autumn
In jewellery, Dior, Piaget and Van Cleef & Arpels have led the trend towards rose gold’s revival as a high jewellery material. Rose gold is a natural canvas for coloured stones, and brings delicacy as well as warmth to the traditional combination of white pearls with diamonds.
At Winterson, our Classics collection includes some of our most popular jewellery designs, that have been finished with 18 carat rose gold, white diamonds and pearls.
Image 1: Classic 0.12ct Diamond Bracelet
Image 2: Classic White Akoya Pearl Stud Earrings
There are many ways to wear this beautiful style of gold. We love the femininity of the rose gold and white diamonds of our new triple diamond bracelets and the elegant addition of light grey Tahitian pearls to our rose gold and diamond leverback earrings. The lovely combination of rose gold with the blush overtones of a white saltwater pearl in our Classic Akoya pearl studs might be the simplest and also the best.
Already a fan? Wholeheartedly embrace the trend with our striking Luna Moss ring in rose gold, green sapphire and a stunning peacock green Tahitian pearl. -
Yanmi Lui, Winner of the Winterson Prize 2017
Yanmi Lui, Winner of the Winterson Prize 2017
Yanmi Lui was announced as the winner of the 2017 Winterson Prize for the Best Use of Pearls at Central Saint Martins, London last night, where eclectic degree collections from jewellery's future designers went on display.
The influential arts institute’s annual graduate show saw students presenting original pearl pieces, created with advice and support from Winterson Director Andrew Fraser and Creative Director Alice Cicolini.
Yanmi Lui was named this year’s winner of the Winterson Pearl prize for her collection ‘Modern Self-defence Armour & Weaponry’, a playful set of self-defense weaponry that drew inspiration from bio-mimicry design and an interest in martial arts.
Each year the prize celebrates an appreciation and understanding of the qualities of the pearl. With such an original and diverse group of work this year, Yanmi was an excellent winner.
Image 1: Pearl dispenser necklace
Image 2: Bottle cuff
Yanmi described her collection to us: “My collection was inspired by the natural defense systems of animals and plants. I was already interested in the culture of martial arts and its relevance in today's modern society. I tried to mimic organic colours, functions and textures from insects and spiders in my work. The delicate and iridescent qualities of the pearl provided a perfect balance to the sharpness of the designs.”
Image: Shield
"As a designer, I continue to question, what outcomes do I want to achieve from the objects I create? What is the relationship, the interaction, between our most precious-valued objects and to wear them so close on our body? Through the process of exploring this unspoken language, I continue to develop a creative vision of what pieces I want to make and share with others. I enjoy using the artistic freedom in jewellery, aligned by functional design. It is always very delightful to see others wear my pieces, embodying it in their style and interacting with them."
Image: Lipstick shooter
"Through studying my Bachelor degree at Central St. Martins, I learnt the importance of craftsmanship because only by trying, failing and repeating, we gain true understanding as a designer. However, my experience in working with the industry, has also taught me the importance of mass manufacturing being essential to provide for a larger community. I enjoy introducing a craft dimension to functional, usually industrialized objects, for example, the lipstick piece in my graduate collection. My future plan is to gain more understanding of three-dimensional applied technologies on a Masters level, so that I can bridge the gap between the designer and maker."
Pearl blowguns, an eyeball necklace with a dispensing system for pearls, geometric knuckle rings, kevlar shields and an over-sized pearl bottle cuff with Braille lettering formed some of the equipment and hidden details in the collection.
Caroline Broadhead, BA jewellery Design Course Leader commented "Using pearls as a weapon for self-defense is a cunning idea. Yanmi’s collection of jewellery and objects is imaginative and inventive."
Image 1: Knuckle rings and Lipstick shooter
Image 2: Utility rings
Commenting on the award, Winterson's Creative Director Alice Cicolini said "We were impressed with the way that Yanmi made a clear conceptual connection between the origins of the pearl and her sources of inspiration. It is thought that natural pearls are created by a mollusc as a form of protection, a concept that Yanmi placed at the core of her self-defence collection. The pearl necklace is one of the most enduring luxury jewellery pieces; Yanmi plays with this symbolism, creating a fanciful piece where the pearls represent a source of empowerment as well as adornment."
An original and very well deserved winner for this year's prize, congratulations Yanmi!
Read more about Yanmi Lui and the other CSM designers' work here. -
Winterson Prize 2017: Meet The Designers Part II
Winterson Prize 2017: Meet The Designers Part II
Each year we work with the student jewellery designers at Central Saint Martins in London, giving them an opportunity to experience designing with pearls for their final year collections.
We will be awarding the Winterson Prize 2017 to one of the students for ‘The Best Use of Pearls’ at the CSM Jewellery Awards Evening on 22nd June.
The BA Jewellery graduate collections are exhibited at CSM and open to the public from June 21st - 25th.
Here we feature the final part in a series of short interviews with designers from the CSM Jewellery 2017 show, including in this article - Maria Mungsommai, Ruhong Chen, Xiaoyu (Coco) Guan, Xindi Nie, Yanmi Lui and Yingping Shen.
Read about the other designers in Part I of this series and the winner of this year's prize.
Maria Mungsommai
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm from Thailand and I have lived in the UK for 7 years so far. I came from an academic background and London gifted me with the love for art. Growing up in two vibrant places, I have always been inspired by the eclecticism of both cities and the subject of psychology. Jewellery, for me, is very special. It's magical how such small objects can mean so much.
What was the inspiration for the 'Rose Glass' collection?
It started from a stroll down the jewellery bridge in Ponte Vecchio, watching people looking at fine jewellery window display and asking what is jewellery to them. When looking at fine jewellery such as an engagement ring, it's like there is an instant rose-tinted glass filter. Rose glass is about the romantic desire for fine jewellery. Seeing them and wanting them. Taking inspiration from window displays, for instance, the frame, the glass and the jewellery stand themselves, looking at how jewellery are presented. I wanted to create that romance of seeing jewellery placed behind a glass.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
Pearls are really romantic in a sentimental way. For me pearls portray a true nuance of romance. Fragile, subtle, a beautiful imperfection. The lustre sort of resembles human skin as well. There's a softness to a pearl that can't be seen in other gemstones.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
Every single one of them is unique. The dimples and colour differences in each one of them I find very beautiful. Handling them makes you feel instantly more elegant as well (hahaha).
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
There's so many! But if I have to choose I'd say I love the work of Louise Bourgeois and Raf Simons.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
Hmm.. I think they'll look good on Mia Goth.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
Can I say whenever there's a pearl in the design? Haha. Well, I think a design is classic when there's some sense of subtlety in it.
What’s next for you after CSM?
I'm planning to do an MA in art business at Sotheby's.
Ruhong Chen
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have a passion in art & design and have known that I will work within these area since I was a child. In high school, I studied for two years an A-level in Product design, photography and fine art. Then I studied foundation in CSM and luckily got into BA jewellery. Last year I meet Jewellery Master Catherine Mannheim and studied with her for one month.
What was the inspiration for the 'Ornaments and Pearls' collection?
My collection was started by the idea of conveying a moment of pause and the peacefulness within. Inspired by Edmund de Waal’s project with the same title 'White' (2015- 2016), my research started by looking at the quality of the colour white. I perceive white as being silent, a very powerful quality. And that is why I make all my collection mostly in a silver white finish.
My design has been playing with second-hand ornaments for example; little toys, house decorative adornments, as well as something I personally owned. Ornaments I gathered from second hand market are sentimental objects, carrying the element of memories. By taking away the color, reworking from the form of those ornaments, I have been thinking how memories and white color can both deliever a new perspective to perceive the present world and what was in the past.
Inspired by the Maisie Broadhead art installation ‘pearls’, I like to use the forms of pearl strands in my design so that they appear to have airiness and movement. Initially the use of pearls wasn’t the main focus. However soon my first piece was made, which is a sleeping kitten playing with a pearl necklace. I think it conceptually challenges the traditional use of pearl jewellery. The pearl necklace in history, as seen in most classical paintings, often stands for decorum, hierarchy status and luxury. Here the pearls are being disrupted by the kitten’s sense of playfulness. The sense of subversiveness is strong, and so I adjusted my design direction to focus on the use of pearls, especially pearl strands. Considering how it can interact with the ornament, and how it brings out the preciousness of silver.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
Unlike a diamond, which often dazzling and sharp, the beauty of pearls is more subtle, natural and refreshing. I am inspired by its varied luster and colour, especially as it appears like a rainbow, and the pearl’s different shapes are also fascinating. Using pearls with precious metal, it can really transform the metal, bringing a new liveliness.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
I discovered that there are lots of ways to use pearls, It could simply be attached by gluing, or it can be applied by stone setting techniques, stringing, wiring, beading, crocheting and so on. More complex techniques to use pearls doesn’t make the work more valuable, the value come from how the use of pearl links to the context of the jewellery and how it makes a story as a whole. The visual quality of purity from pearls is also my focus when I work with pearls.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
For jewellery design, I admire Otto Kunzli with his minimalism and the use of a witty metaphor in his jewellery, for example the work ‘Gold makes you blind bracelet‘. The gold is concealed in black rubber, the shape forming a gold diamond ring that most people would have.
In fine art area, I like Henri Matisse for his art of strongly expressive human body forms, for example ‘the dance’, as well as his paper cut works that are energetic, and have a curiosity for wondering.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
Middle aged women who have studied or work in fashion or an art associated area. Having a sense of humor, passionate about life, appreciates the beauty of simplicity and enjoys wearing pearls.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
Knowing the aim of the jewellery, to be open and true to it throughout the design. Inspiration is important but there are lots of refinements needed. A design classic jewellery arising from new ideas should have a personality like people, which gives an intimacy between the wearer and itself. Continuing traditional techniques and to innovate are also important.
What’s next for you after CSM?
Study a Master degree jewellery in the UK, also start up my own jewellery business.
View more of Ruhong's work here.
Xiaoyu (Coco) Guan
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name’s Coco. I’m a Chinese girl, staying in London for four years since my foundation course. I learnt Graphic & Communication Design three years in another University in China before, and then I came to CSM to study Jewellery design, which is my favourite major.
What was the inspiration for the 'Beans & Pods' collection?
The theme of this project is about beans and pods. Beans have long been interesting to me as a form and as a metaphor for positive, value, nourishment and potential. I’ve also been intrigued by how many different scales, shapes, textures and colors they come in. Due to the fact that we often eat beans in our daily life, I collected some different types of beans, such as mung beans, red beans and pea, thus, I want to use beans as a project starting point.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
I’m interested in the shape of pearls. The surface of the pearl could be smooth and free of marks while the overall shape could be round, oval, pear-shaped, or even misshapen. For this project, I chose to use freshwater pearls, because I like the natural shapes. I feel they’re really like the real beans in the natural.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
I feel quite good when I worked with them. It’s interesting to stitch pearls to metal.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
My favorite jewellery designer is Peter Chang, who produces mainly jewellery in the form of bangles/bracelets and brooches. He uses a variety of methods to achieve the bright colors and bizarre shapes. The colors red and yellow were especially popular, and form a color combination often seen in Chang's work.
From his work, I started to understand and explore how colors work together, the responses color provokes in a viewer, and what color symbolizes in nature. For instance, for this project, I made my own color palette and started to overlay many layers of colors on the bean’s surface, meanwhile, I still keep the single color for some of them.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
I think most of female will love my woks, because of the colors. For the whole collections, I used a lot of bright color, as the aim was to bring people limitless happiness when they try or see my works. And it’s also the main meaning of my works. I hope people can feel happy and get lucky when they wear them.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
I think it’s the meaning and story behind that piece. The appearance of a jewellery, the color, or the shape should be attractive for people to stop by, but when you understand the story behind it or what it really means, you will appreciate it forever.
What’s next for you after CSM?
I already got a MA Jewellery design offer from CSM. Therefore, I’ll still stay London to finish the course and learn more things.
Xindi Nie
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m 22 years old and interested in installation art pieces.
What was the inspiration for the 'Incidental Poetry' collection?
The integration of irrelevant objects fascinates me greatly with the sense of surrealism that is created by the process of clashing and combining. Such events occur accidentally all the time in our day to day lives, objects being turned into another form of existence which also serves an entirely different purpose.
On the other hand, does jewellery possess an ability to influence or even entirely replace the being of ordinary objects in a traditional manner?
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
Pearls are my favorite material, they are unique among other jewellery materials, such as metals and stones, as they are relatively softer and contains gentle sheen. Pearls play a essential role in my collection.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
The techniques of using pearls is a different category compared with other jewellery techniques that I learned before. I was very impressed with the way of stringing pearls, and french wire finishing techniques.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Artist: Giorgio Morandi, Roni Horn, Lois Weinberger, Mark Manders
Designers: Reka Lorincz, Marc Monzo, Bernhard Schobinger, Hands Stofer
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
I would like to think of my works as art pieces, which is a homage for Giorgio Morandi. His paintings inspired me a lot.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
The concept behind the design makes a piece of jewellery meaningful and classic.
What’s next for you after CSM?
I’m applying for an MA course at this moment.
Yanmi Lui
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am always curious about things and I let my mind wander when I’m travelling.
What was the inspiration for the 'Modern Self-defence Armour & Weaponry' collection?
Initially, I am inspired by the culture of different types of martial arts that do and do not use weapons in self-defence, because this form of fighting is integral to many security-related professions e.g. hostess, guards, military training. I enjoyed researching the developmental process of creating a weapon and analysing its changing values in the progress of a modernizing society.
Secondly, Biomimicry: I find the natural design systems in organisms fascinating, especially at a very small scale in insect defence mechanisms.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
Most defence mechanisms have sharp, warning shapes and textures. I chose to use the iridescent and ‘soft’ qualities of pearls as embellishments to counteract with ‘aggressive’ forms. The way that pearls are formed is a type of natural defence mechanism – molluscs use layers of iridescent nacre to wrap around the intruder, forming a pearl.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
They are very versatile to work with.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Jackson Pollock (Abstract Artist)
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
‘Cheeky’, playful people who like hidden surprises.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
Memorable, stand-out elements in a piece of jewellery; something that is understood by a big audience. A technique that is shared and practiced by many people i.e. a class strand of pearl necklace is made from specific string knotting techniques.
What’s next for you after CSM?
Work to learn more about the industry hands-on, or if because of visa limitations, I am deciding to learn more about functioning systems on a Masters level.
View more of Yanmi's work here.
Yingping Shen
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am from China, I studied jewellery identification in China.
I like to combine other design elements into my jewellery, such as fashion and architecture. I think I don’t want to be an artist, I want to be a good jewellery designer in the future, making jewellery between fine and contemporary.
What was the inspiration for the 'Breathing' collection?
I was inspired by the cityscape. I saw the busy buildings in the city, and endlessly windows on the buildings, so many people working inside day by day. I wanted to express a fervent desire to escape from the city’s asphyxiating environment. I used different colours (black and white), different shapes, and some moving parts on the jewellery to express people's need to breathe. Pearls and precious stones express the people (precious) in the buildings.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
This is my first time that I have used pearls in my jewellery.
I think jewellery with a pearl, and without a pearl are very different, with a pearl that can make a jewellery more feminine.
I think it is very good for my collection, because my collection is based on so many cubes and straight lines, it looks very masculine, but the use of round pearls can change this.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
I bought some half drill pearls to work, and when I put pearls into the pins, around the holes, the pearls are very easy to break.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
I like Renzo Piano, the architecture designer.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
I want to make some jewellery for everyone, unisex, and all ages.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
I think contemporary jewellery needs a very good story or idea. And fine jewelry needs a good design and good material.
What’s next for you after CSM?
Find a job and make my own brand. -
Winterson Prize 2017: Meet The Designers Part I
Winterson Prize 2017: Meet The Designers Part I
Each year we work with the student jewellery designers at Central Saint Martins in London, giving them an opportunity to experience designing with pearls for their final year collections.
We will be awarding the Winterson Prize 2017 to one of the students for ‘The Best Use of Pearls’ at the CSM Jewellery Awards Evening on 22nd June.
The BA Jewellery graduate collections are exhibited at CSM and open to the public from June 21st - 25th.
Here we feature the first part in a series of short interviews with designers from the CSM Jewellery 2017 show, including in this article - Annie Kim, Biwa Pik Wa Wong, Ely Cao, Georgina Hopkin, Holly O'Hanlon and Jieun Kim.
Read about the other designers in Part II of this series and the winner of this year's prize.
Annie Kim
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Annie and I was originally born in Korea, then at the age of 13, I decided to study abroad in Manila, Philippines by myself to learn English. As I always had my passion towards Arts, I moved to London for high school and aimed to apply for Central Saint Martins where I could open my vision towards Jewellery Design. I did my foundation course in CSM and continued my study for BA jewellery design at the same college.
What was the inspiration for the 'Re:Heritage' collection?
This collection encapsulates my personal awareness of Korean heritage, focusing on traditional patterns drawn from architectural structures and details of temple facades.
As a Korean person, who left my home country at an early age, I want to reconnect with my cultural roots and so I chose to work with details of my heritage as inspiration for my BA jewellery collection.
In my design research I focus on the graphic surface patterns and motifs found on ceramic tiles and also wooden panels in temples. I believe these to be culturally meaningful and too important to be forgotten and seen as “old” or “passé”. They represent Korean heritage, and so carry both visual and cultural value.
Inspired by the architectural constructions of the temples, each earring design is layered and at times articulated, in its construction. I was amazed how each space is filled out with such a fine detail, while also considering very much vivid colours.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
It is the first time I have used pearls within my work and I think this material has a strength and a characteristic representing elegance and purity. The colour on the surface not only has one dominant colour, it glows and shines in different angles. I was inspired by how adding a single pearl with my pieces changes the mood. Not only did it turn my piece from 2 dimensional to 3 dimensional, it allowed me to add another texture and colour that matches well with any kind of metal or precious stones.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
I have discovered that pearls do have wider possibilities of transforming, while they are also very fragile. For one of my pieces, I had to enlarge a hole size, up to 2mm with a 7mm pearl size, which was a big pressure given to the pearls. However, the pearls were stronger than I believed and also had so many different ways of connecting them together involving other materials. The simplest way of keeping up the pearls was able to show their best purity.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Throughout my researching of artists, I have admired the work of Susan Collis. She uses mother of pearl as one of her materials and I was intrigued by the way she displays the material with daily marks on natural objects. It was a simple display that showed the characteristics of the mother of pearl that matched really well with our everyday objects.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
Not only this collection does this endorse Koreans, I wish to encourage others to wear it also. My main theme and inspiration comes from Korean heritage, however, I wanted to create a collection that others can easily adopt while wishing them to be attracted to wear my jewellery as well. Allowing them to get comfortable with my country’s craftsmanship was the aim and the invitation.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
I believe speaking out and directly showing what your inspiration is; in your design the main key is to be classic. Once a designer has a theme or meaning, I think it is important they show that straightforward towards the shape or pattern of the piece. Pieces that includes more meaning and asks the audience to think through might appeal more personal awareness of that particular designer.
Also, I think using materials that are commonly known to be classic or simple/pure should take up a big role. Textures and colours are also important while designing.
What’s next for you after CSM?
I wish to learn wider skills and understanding in jewellery world. I think there is so much more I need to discover and learn from designers and artists who are much experienced than me and that one day I will get a chance for me in future to teach others about jewellery and arts.
Biwa Pik Wa Wong
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am from Hong Kong, China. I like making things that really reflect myself and relate to myself. Combining traditional and comtemporary ideas together, to consider design conceptally and visually.
What was the inspiration for the 'Made of China' collection?
The title of my collection is ‘Made of China’ as I am using China,the porcelain mostly in this collection.
Porcelain may typically be associated with chinaware, but my Made of China, hopes to break that stereotype. By transforming the material into wearable ornaments, I introduce it as a versatile substance that can be utilised beyond its original purpose and reflects my heritage.
Combining traditional and contemporary techniques, the pieces are crafted from traditional porcelain beads embellished with handwritten texts, high-strength ceramic beads adorned with lithographic decals, and 3D-printed ceramics.
The result is a sleek and minimalistic set of grandes complications personifying Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi’s idea of damei or “great beauty,” the concept of understated elegance that originally inspired the collection. Truly embodying the “less is more” maxim, Made of China is a delicately refreshing alternative to today’s tendency towards excess.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
As I am using porcelains, challenging the techniques of making porcelains balls,I found a technique in a ceramic company in Jingdezhen which is a ceramic town in China which specialized in making porcelains ball with a pearl finish. The balls are as glittering and translucent as the pearls,so I used real pearls with my porcelain balls design to enhance its luxury.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
Whilst I have been working with pearls, I discovered that pearls are really easy to work with but also hard to work with. A single pearl is a piece of jewellery that has its own different colour, shape and gloss. Designing with pearls is not easy - how to bring the most out of a pearl and not going too far is what I should consider when I am working with pearls.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
A girl with real class.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
Simple, but heart catching.
What’s next for you after CSM?
Being a jewellery designer.
Ely Yili Cao
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Trained to be an architect, changed mind before my BA to work with smaller scale 3D pieces.
What was the inspiration for this 'Silk Menagerie' collection?
My belief, my cultural background and my aesthetics, as a jeweler, an embroider, an animal-lover and a Chinese.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
Their unique aura, which is not provocative yet stands for itself.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
It is a fragile but strong material. With the right amount, colour and shape, it lights up the whole piece.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Tadao Ando and Christopher Lemaire, they work in different fields but share a unique sense of satiety, a balance between material (materials if necessary) and empty space.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
Personally, I don’t wear jewellery as I don’t wanna label myself as a certain type of jeweller, similarly I don’t label my jewellery to certain group of wearers. I will leave the choice to wearers and my pieces.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
A sense of satiety. Every details tells the same story, yet represents its own reason of existence. The existence and emptiness create harmony.
What’s next for you after CSM?
I was offered two places - one in RCA Jewellery Metal and another in RCA Fashion millinery. I chose millinery to challenge myself as a more versatile designer.
View more of Ely's work here.
Georgina Hopkin
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am a British jewellery designer and maker. I only create things that excite me and evoke a reaction from people.
What was the inspiration for the 'Organ Cake' collection?
I want to push peoples perception of jewellery, and also investigate the fine line between the grotesque and the sublime. I was inspired by artwork made of intestines and meat, which were presented in a way that didn't make them appear gruesome. I found it interesting how people only have a repulsed reaction once they realise what they're looking at.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
I love the imperfect shapes that pearls come in. They also acted as a nice counterbalance for my grotesque foam and ceramic pieces. I found it funny to add pearls (a symbol of luxury) onto oozing organ-like objects.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
It isn’t often that I work with precious stones or materials, so it was a new experience for me. I learnt how delicate they are and how to correctly string them, a technique which I was able to alter to suit my designs.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Karl Frisch. His jewellery helped me open my mind to ‘ugly’ settings, and seeing the beauty in the unconventional. Also Grayson Perry has inspired me to just be myself.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
Someone who likes pink and has a sense of humour.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
Something that stands out against current design, and it might help if a famous person wears it.
What’s next for you after CSM?
I am an open book right now, I can live and work anywhere. I would like to work in the city, or any city, but also live in the countryside.
View more of Georgina's work here.
Holly O'Hanlon
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Holly O’Hanlon and I’m from Galway, Ireland. I’ve been studying BA Jewellery Design in Central St. Martins for the past three years. The way in which people interact with everyday objects, the associations and feelings the familiar can evoke is central to my work. My priority is to draw attention to the overlooked, utilitarian or mundane and, in particular, to the traces and fragments that remain from a practical task.
What was the inspiration for the 'Excess' collection?
My starting point for the collection was exploring different forms of excess. Through using slate as my primary material I aimed to emulate surfaces of walls and signage that change through corrosion or human contact and intervention. In doing this I hoped to show how the absence of an object can be communicated through its former location and the material that previously surrounded it- framing the unseen. The fragility of the slate juxtaposed with the lustrous quality of the pearls really highlighted the versatility of the two natural materials - precious merging with non- precious which executed the concept well.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
Pearls have such an inherent preciousness that only increases once you begin to work with them. They have such a rich history and I find it interesting to subvert this to a level of utility for example, pearl washers attached to brooches using a silver staple or screw and earring backs that support individually crafted and enamelled silver thumbtacks.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
To execute my designs , I used a process where I ground each pearl down to emulate the form of a washer- flattening both sides and keeping the finish of the rounded edges intact , the different layers of concentric colours and tones that were revealed were so beautiful and exciting and really added a new dimension to the pearls that previously remained hidden and unseen.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Naomi Filmer, the dialogue and balance she creates between her jewellery and the body is so sensitive and equally impactful. She is such a jewellery hybrid and her innovative approach to contemporary jewellery by visualising negative space through her knowledge of materials and processes is something I found really inspiring this year.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
As my pieces are unisex, I would hope they will appeal to anyone with an appreciation for detail, contrasting surfaces and materials within jewellery which applies a deceptive and playful approach!
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
A piece that utilises an innovative use of craft with a skilled application of techniques in combination with a considered design capability that has a sense of wearability.
What’s next for you after CSM?
As of now, my aim is to continue to develop and improve my knowledge and skills within industry in order to learn from people more experienced than myself. However, I am an open door to any opportunity that would still enable me to do what I love - jewellery!
Jieun Kim
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am from South Korea where I studied oriental painting before starting the jewellery course here at CSM. Tradition comes quite naturally as an approach to my work as I enjoy applying skills specific to metal in my work. Nevertheless I state that I am a contemporary jewellery designer using tradition with a twist.
What was the inspiration for the 'Crowning Moment' collection?
This collection goes along the lines of the work by renowned artist Jeff Koons, in the sense that I am using visual trickery and challenging what is expected of a material. I transform metal into fluid shapes. Each piece from the collection represents a different stage of the tying and untying of a bow knot – a gesture that I have enjoyed decomposing to reveal the simple beauty in movement, the celebration of a moment.
What do you find inspiring about pearls?
My designs tend to develop into simple forms that have boiled down my idea to its essence. Pearls represent the simplicity and purity of form that I try to reach in each of my projects. The subtlety in colour, the strength in quality and yet pale and fragile appearance of a pearl seem adequate with any kind of material. It is more of a universal than neutral quality that can be associated with it. In my eyes, pearls against fabric bring forward to extremes of smothers, creating an intriguing contrast. This is why I have integrated a pearl into my centre piece.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
With the round pearl I used specifically for my collection, I learnt ways of setting in a measured gap.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Alexander McQueen has been a great inspiration. He has managed to create his own world with all its intricacies at the top of the immense fashion industry. His pieces are expressive and tailored to perfection.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
I see my jewellery as accessible to a wide audience. I try to make my ideas clear and I keep them simple so that people can relate or interpret them in their own way. The size of my pieces vary but mostly they become relatively large but remain wearable. I see them as little narratives at hand.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
I think a design classic is an object that represents the culture and society or group within society from a specific epoch.
What’s next for you after CSM?
I would like to get various work experiences within the field of jewellery. -
Coline Assade, Winner of the Winterson Prize 2016
Coline Assade, Winner of the Winterson Prize 2016
Eclectic degree collections from jewellery design’s future stars went on display at Central Saint Martins last night (June 23rd), where Coline Assade was announced as the winner of the 2016 Winterson Prize for the Best Use of Pearls.
The influential arts institute’s annual graduate show saw students presenting original pearl pieces, created with advice and support from Winterson Director Andrew Fraser and Creative Director Alice Cicolini.
Coline was named this year’s winner of the prestigious pearl prize for her collection ‘Unconventional Femininity’, an exploration of identity and self-expression. Graduate Chlóe Valorso also received a special commendation from the judges for her work.
Each year we look for work that demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of the pearl and, with such a high standard on display this year, Coline was an excellent winner.
Coline described her collection to us: “My collection was about femininity and identity. I wanted people to be more playful with their identity and make them raise questions about what is gender and who they really are. I used the pearls as playful moving parts of the jewellery. On the ring there’s a contradiction between the very round and colourful shapes, so you can choose what you want to wear and what you want to hide.”
Commenting on the award, Winterson's Creative Director Alice Cicolini said "Coline embraced the pearl and put it at the heart of her collection, celebrating the uniqueness of the baroque pearl as a symbol of feminine individuality. We were impressed by her willingness to experiment and her bold, distinctive voice."
A throughly deserving winner for this year's prize, congratulations Coline!
Read more about Coline and the other CSM designers' work here.
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Meet the Designers for the Winterson Prize 2016 - Part III
Meet the Designers for the Winterson Prize 2016 - Part III
Each year we work with the student jewellery designers at Central Saint Martins in London, giving them an opportunity to experience designing with pearls for their final year work.
We will be awarding the Winterson Prize 2016 to one of the students for ‘The Best Use of Pearls’ at the CSM Jewellery Awards Evening on 23rd June.
The designs are also open for viewing by the public at CSM during June 22-26th.
Here we feature the final part in a series of short interviews with designers from the CSM Jewellery 2016 show, including in this article - Kay Zhixin Guo, Stacey Huang, Stephanie Chase and Tia Liang.
Read about the Winner here and the other designers in Part I and Part II of this series.
I CANNOT LAST - KAY ZHIXIN GUO
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A Buddhist, enjoy helping people. Like simple things. Interested in how people go through difficulties in their lives, where they put their bodies and how they cope inside of it.
What was the inspiration for this collection?
My first time of experiencing break-up and depression and the doctrine of impermanence.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
Fragile and easy to be manipulated at the same time. Can be drilled, cut and carved in specific ways. Good to combine them with different types of material or just use them straight which fits in various designs.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Marina Abramovic
What’s next for you after CSM?
I am going to apply for jobs and work for companies
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
People who admire minimal aesthetic, matured people, both men and women.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
Simply, with a highlight on special details that communicates with the viewers and wearers easily. Good craftsmenship.
STACEY HUANG
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m an observer of daily life and have a full passion for jewellery design.
What was the inspiration for this collection?
My inspiration is from Tesco, to tell viewers my point of view about the promotions in supermarket by using cheap packaging as the main visual language.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
The colour and the luster of pearls are attractive for me, and the contrast between metal and pearl is attractive as well.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Sebastian Errazuriz
What’s next for you after CSM?
I’ll work for a company and prepare my own studio in the following 5 years.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
Every girl or lady
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
Delicate appearance with strong concept and high aesthetics.
View more of Stacey's work here.
MY BAKING MEMORY WITH NAN - STEPHANIE CHASE
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well this is going to be tough haha, Okay, I am a 21 year old student that is sadly coming to the end of my studies. Out of uni I display a keen interest in music as I enjoy playing piano (that’s when I get the chance!). I also have a strong interest in photography.
What was the inspiration for this collection?
After losing my Nan I began to form a sentimental relationship with my grandmother’s objects. By studying Alice Anderson Memory Objects Memory Movement exhibition I continued to embrace this idea of preserving “mummifying” an object therefore encouraging its sentimental value.
The memory of baking with my Nan was my next step. On choosing the sieve, I wanted to preserve the memories shared with her by creating my own wrapping technique.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
The use of pearls in my pieces symbolise the sugary cake decorations i.e. hundreds and thousands, rainbow circus mix and chocolate silver pearls. This initiates a playful side to the emotional feelings already displayed.
Working with the pearls has been wonderful, I have enjoyed using all the different colour variations that has helped me create the idea of sweets.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Alice Anderson is my biggest inspiration, however I did research many artists in my previous uni that helped me to come to the conclusion of my collection. Jo Pond’s ideas behind her jewellery piece & Caroline Broadhead and Maria Militsi’s Second hand First hand exhibtion also inspired me.
What’s next for you after CSM?
To be honest I’m not entirely sure, I would like to use the funds I raise in my degree show to build my own workshop to use at home. I have others interests as well so I might use some of the funds to build a small photography set along my own workshop after finishing uni.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
I don’t want to characterise a particular individual as that’s not my aim in this collection. My pieces display a precious effect that immediately catches the eye, I want individuals to question the meticulous wrapping method and choice of object as my pieces are for the wearers to embrace the story behind it.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
The simplicity of the pieces; from only using a wrapping technique combined with the pearls gives it elegance. I have used simple combination of materials to emphasise a story that is so dear to me.
SHAME - TIANYI TIA LIANG
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
An active and engaged student who has an individual way of observation.
What was the inspiration for this collection?
Shame is a fact of human life. throughout the researching of history, a couple of pictures about Chinese first lady Wang Guang Mei have been attracted my attention, as the first visited foreign country First Lady of the new China, she wore a long pearl necklace as national pride.
But just one year after, because of the Cultural revolution, she suffered public humiliation and wore a heavy-looking fake pearl necklace, forcing her body to be banned in order to show her guilt.
Thus highlighted the relation between shame and pride again, also explained shame as a common topic, whatever their wealth or status.
What have you discovered about working with pearls?
The sphere structure of pearls is the main discovery of my visual aim.
Which designer or artist do you most admire?
Michael Wolf
What’s next for you after CSM?
I would tidy up my mind again, then continue with master courses.
Who could you imagine wearing your jewellery?
Anyone who has incomplete reduction of interest or joy, spend much of their life blushing.
What is it that makes a piece of jewellery a design classic?
Sense.