Not so Ordinary Jewels

Would you wear a paper clip as a bracelet, a Q-tip as an earring or a band-aid as a ring? Don’t be fooled by first impressions, we are talking about true jewels, created with precious materials. A new jewelry trend shows that inspiration can be found anywhere. Even an ordinary, everyday object can become the star of a bold collection. Forgetting the classic rules that combine form and function is something that many contemporary designers love to do: you need a good dose of imagination, great attention to detail and a cutting-edge spirit to be able to transform candy, hair pins, paper, vegetables and even a medicine container into a surprising but familiar design. The Zohra Rahman collections are the perfect examples. The young Pakistani designer who, after studying at Central Saint Martins in London, founded her brand in 2014, loves to investigate the different possible functions of things that often go unnoticed. Through her creativity and refined style, simple paper clips are turned into unusual earrings, bracelets and chokers, while pieces of torn letters become precious ornaments to wrap around arms, necks and fingers, as if to remember the words we wanted to say or the letters we wanted to send. The creations of Berlin-based newcomer Anne Manns – she launched her label in 2016 – are noted for their sophisticated irony in collections inspired by the vegetables we bring to the table every day: a whimsical idea able of giving life to sophisticated pieces, full of femininity. Extravagance and irony feed the collections of BC Joaillerie, the brand that offers jewels inspired by the most fun moments in life – a childhood experience, a happy memory, a love story – with the intention of surprising people and making them smile. And who wouldn’t wear the rings from the ‘Love is a Drug’ collection with its freshwater pearls that tumble out of a capsule. Then there are the gold-plated silver rings that look like Band-Aids in the ‘Love Hurts’ collection, whose title certainly leaves no room for misinterpretation. The Jaroor el Teta collection also plays on this emerging imagery with a sense of humor but designer Donna Hourani brings an extra touch of awareness. In Marathi (one of the languages spoken in India), jaroor el teta means ‘my grandmother’s drawer.’ Born in Beirut, but raised in Dubai, Donna imagined opening her grandmother’s drawer. She was a hard-working woman who «raised eight children and built a house thanks to her work as a seamstress and who still sews even at eighty years old.» Functional home items such as buttons, hairpins, thimbles and even coins, safety pins and Q-tips become elegant jewels made with gold and natural stones like tourmaline, citrine and blue topaz. Donna explains that it was a true ode «to all those strong, hard-working women of our past, who are responsible for what we are today.»