A new Amsterdam jewellery designer approaches you to co-design their first collection with only a matter of weeks to do it in. Tessa Packard talks us through the journey that created such delicate pieces
What was the project?
I was approached earlier this year by House of Eleonore – a new Amsterdam-based diamond label – to design a debut collection inspired by the tropical island of Papua New Guinea.
What was the original brief?
The collection brief was very much the vision of Creative Director Ray Steele, who spent much of her childhood and youth in Papua New Guinea. A lover of nature and the outdoors, she would spend hours exploring the sun dappled forests in search of jewel-crested birds and other brightly coloured exotic specimens. The collection aims to capture the essence of this unique paradise and its rich cultural heritage and natural history.
What was the biggest challenge?
We were inspiration-rich but time-poor. I generally take about two months to research and design a collection and here I was working with a matter of weeks. While I would probably argue that I prefer working with a longer design window, the project did prove to me that with sustained focus it is possible to produce a cohesive and striking collection in a very short space of time.
What are you most pleased with?
The collection itself is a wonderful mix of easy, everyday pieces and more show-stopping designs. We wanted to create a harmonious collection that could juxtapose the conservative with the more daring without compromising on narrative or unique design, and I really believe we have managed to achieve this.
Client involvement – hands-on or hands-off?
Very much hands-on! As we don’t work with third party stockists or retailers, our business is very much based on private clients.
What next?
We are launching a capsule collection in spring inspired by an infamous British obsession: the weather. Entitled ‘Every Cloud has a Silver Lining’, the collection will feature mother-of-pearl cufflinks with diamond surrounds, miniature lightning bolt and cabochon-set suns.
The collaboration is launching on September 21. For more information, please visit House of Eleonore
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