/Jewellery Crush/ Susan Snyder Intersection Diamond Ring

Inspiration: Architecture, modern architecture, art, geometry

Style: Sleek simplicity, bold lines, elegant minimalism, sculptural beauty

Ring: Brushed matte sterling silver with diamonds ring

 www.susansnyderjewelry.com

 

Maximum in Minimum | In Conversation with Magdalena Paszkiewicz

What has first drawn me to Magdalena Paszkiewicz's geometrical and minimal jewellery collection is her ability of maximising the unlimited potential of simple lines above and beyond and without repetitiveness or conformity, designs that are staunchly against the idea of 'normal'. She utilises her creative ability to explore innovative and quirky ways of adorning lines in an eye catching and awe inspiring manner despite its subtle and barely-there aesthetics. Magdalena uses traditional jewellery making techniques to create her modern designs, however her main rule of thumb when putting an idea into a physical form is stopping just short when the design becomes too much, and therein lies the uniqueness of her collection where the resulting outcome is the deliberately half-finished jewellery and separate components, ideal for modern women who embraces understated elegance and classic sophistication. With that, she is fast becoming one of my favourite contemporary designers in 2017.

Here I interviewed Magdalena about her inspirations as a designer, where her passion for minimalism comes from and the idea behind her newest collection.

 www.magdalenapaszkiewicz.pl

1. What inspired you to become a jewellery designer?

I graduated from The Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź in Poland. It was there at the Jewellery Department that I saw for the first time a jewellery machine and I fell in love with it instantly. I got curious about the technology and the process of production itself.

2. You are a great fan of minimalism and has implemented this into your body of work. What is it about minimalism that encourages you to adopt that particular style?

I consider minimalism to convey incredibly powerful messages. You don't attack the viewer with colour, form or structure. Neither is there to complete the picture with words. Minimum form, maksimum expression. The best motto of creators: less is more.

3. How does your surrounding influence your work? Is there a city, country or place you're inspired by?

The Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź had the biggest influence on my style. I specialise in wood engraving and I am especially keen on Japanese woodcut prints. It's one step away from Japanese style, design, minimalism and the work culture. At studies I practiced a lot of composition so my works are characterized by geometrical figures.

I live in Łódź. The city with huge industrial tradition dating back to the 19th century. Industrial and electric style attract many artists who feels at home and so am I. I'm certain Łódź influence my art too.

4. People spend most of their lives in a work space. How would you describe your studio?

My studio is an open place where I design and make jewellery, where everybody is welcome to enter and see me at work. Along with Pola Chrobot-a designer of Mokave Jewellery we have always wanted to create an open atelier ready for visitors any time. My intention is to introduce my job to everybody who still perceives jewellery in a stereotypical way. At my studio I run a jewellery workshop, pursue the individual orders and make my own collections.

5. Tell us about your new collection Double Earrings. How is it different from your previous collections?

Double Earrings are a continuation of my previous collection ,,Maksimum in Minimum" They are crafted from silver 925 and gold plated silver. The two elements the jewellery consists of enable us to wear it as separate earrings with or without the back part, exactly the way you see in pictures. This collection describes me the best as an artist and as a jewellery designer that's why I present the jewellery in the pictures.

6. Describe the creative and technical stages of making your jewellery collection. What is the hardest and most enjoyable part of the process?

As in all fields of art it's significant to read a lot on a given subject and attend exhibitions, to be acquainted with all pieces of art, generally. This is the main source of inspiration and it's the first moment when my ideas come to life. The next step is just hard work. A lot of drawing on paper and first sample versions in metal. Slowly the project is completed, jewellery ready and I may take care of another part of my job; photos, jewellery boxes, graphic design, the website and social media promotion. I devote equal time to all elements of my work.

The hardest moment of creativity is the process of searching for the concept. To make the collection simple, original and coherent. The most rewarding is the moment of pressing the enter key and releasing the final completed collection.

7. Do you have a favourite piece? which design do you wear most often?

I treat all my pieces very personally and emotionally. It's hard to choose only one but if I am to point something out it will be the Maximum Circle Necklace, the first design in my collection I created together with my friend Natalia, so I am  sentimental about it. It's a silver circle pendant attached to a transparent jewellery line, not to a regular chain. It makes an impression of soaring in the air.

The jewellery I wear most often are the silver earring from 5 colour collection. There are small and simple, perfect for casual wear. 

8. If you could adorn your work on a public figure (dead or alive) who  would it be and why?

There are many beautiful and stylish woman all over the world who could represent my collections but I still don't have any doubts as to who might be the icon of my style. It's Marion Cotillard a French actress whose both inner and outer beauty shines all the time.

9. Is there a brand you would love to collaborate with?

I'd like to collaborate with a classic clothing company where I could match my minimalistic jewellery collection with simple collection of clothes, both men's and women's. It's important to fit into the style of the  brand, keeping at the same time, your individuality.

10.Describe the person wearing your collection?

 I direct my jewellery towards all women who are aware of their own style. Women who adore classic, simple and minimalistic way of dressing up and who pay attention to details. My jewellery would underline the subtlety and class of the outfit.

11. 5 words to describe your jewellery? 

Minimalism, simplicity, purity, geometry, calmness.

/Jewellery Crush/ Mokave BLACK CUBE bracelet

Inspiration: Modernism, minimalism, stereoscopic,

Style: Simplicity, minimalist detail, sophisticated, everyday

Bracelet: Matt black finish brass cube bracelet

www.pakamera.pl/mokave

/Jewellery Crush/ MyriamSOS The Face Choker

Inspiration: Individuality, femininity of the younger generation, minimalism, empower, architecture, geometry

Style: Quirky, eclectic, fine jewellery, pure lines, versatility of forms, contemporary, adaptable forms

Choker: 18k rose gold    

 

www.myriamsos.co.uk 

/Jewellery Crush/ Luz Ortiz Semi Circle Earrings

Inspiration: Tropics of the Caribbean, architecture, industrial, manipulation of form and proportion

Style: Minimalist, sensitive structures, organic, geometric, functional, elegant

Earrings: 18k gold plated and white topaz earrings

www.luzortiznewyork.com

Rock It! Diaboli Kill Lilith Gold Bar Ring

 Diaboli Kill is a definition of luxe-noir, revealing the darker side of luxury to a niche audience. Her source of inspiration is rather unique and diverse, channeling her Egyptian ancestry, interest in occult movies and the spirits of old Hollywood into her contemporary line, and throw in the influences of art deco and archeology and you'll get an intriguing and opulence signature pieces in the making that are clearly identifable as Diaboli Kill. The 14k Lilith gold bar ring is inspired by minimalism and sculpture that elegantly suspends over the hand with a bezel set white diamond that adds a touch of subtle glamour and sophistication. The piece hangs in a perfect balance, both conceptually and figuratively. 

But why hang in a balance when you can tip over to your inner darker side?

www.diabolikill.com

Rock It! Tara 4779 Arc Choker

“One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art”

— Oscar Wilde

Influenced by the minimalist movement in art and architecture, Tara Elwin utilised her creative background in visual art to conceptualise her wonderfully chic and understated jewellery line Tara 4779, with the brand name alluding to the atomic number of silver and gold. Tara is also inspired by negative space, geometry and dualism which are subtlety implemented in her aesthetically stunning designs.

The delicate choker is created to be adorned as well as to be observed as an art object. The gentle asymmetrical arc is accentuated by a hanging white diamond to create a mathematical balance of opposites.  

www.tara4779.com

/Jewellery Crush/ Contour Studio Wes Necklace

Inspiration: City landscapes, architecture,

Style: Geometric, minimalist, abstract clean lines, sophisticated, casual 

Necklace: Sterling silver plated brass necklace

www.contour-studio.com

Rock It! C6 By Anne Cohen Supernova Ring

 With a passion for design and material, Anne Cohen combined the two to create one of the most unique jewellery brands yet. C6 derives from the designer's love for the element carbon due to its simplicity as an atom and scientific complexity as an element. By combining with precious gemstones and diamonds the dream of making a ring of pure carbon is realised; the ring is essentially a narration of her life.

By combining science and aesthetics, C6 brings gemstones to the forefront and away from the overcompensated 'couture' design trend. Against the carbon canvas it allows the gemstones to captivate the wearer or blown away by the fact that carbon and diamond are essentially identical yet aesthetically different. C6 core philosophy is to create a design that is minimalist as well as authentic, resulting in an innovative and timeless piece.     

The Supernova ring plays with an idea of time, space and being. You can't help but compare it to gazing at the stars during the darkest of nights, still in utter wonderment by the universal intrigue of space and living. 

At least with the ring, you have one within a touchable distance. 

www.c6.dk

/Jewellery Crush/ Izabella Petrut Excess of Time Earrings

Inspiration: Here and now, life experience, storytelling, biography

Style: Minimalist, contemporary, wearable art

Earrings: Silver oxidised

www.izabellapetrut.com

The Mechanics of Black: Eleftheria Stamati

"I consider space as a bulk of matter on which I interfere by removing pieces until I capture the ideal final shape that merges luminosity, harmony and effortlessness"

-Eleftheria Stamati

Inspired by infinite voids and negative spaces, visual artist Eleftheria Stamanti created a line of contemporary and architectural jewellery by using the fascinating theory of Euclidean point, toying with perspective, vanishing points and mathematical geometry to produce the exquisite The Mechanics of Black collection.

Constructed using fine metal pieces of cuboids, cubes and L-shapes, the sculptural yet wearable collection of utmost simplicity creates an illusion of being three dimensional and reminiscent of line drawings that's been brought to life. It explores the concept of nothingness, resulting in wonder and intrigue than something that is clearly identifiable. 

 

Playing with perspective and human interaction, the necklaces holds two pendants with one sitting on the wearer's chest and the other hanging from the back, the chain draping over the shoulder at a V angle allows the continuation of geometrical lines and shapes by using the human form as a canvas.

www.eleftheriastamati.com