"FLAMBERGE"
The flamberge, or “flame-bladed sword” is a type of sword from the medieval period which had a wavy, undulating blade. Used throughout France, Germany, and Spain during the 15th century, in addition to their unique appearance, swords with this type of blade were also more resistant to parrying during sword fights and better at piercing armor. Armor of this period also influenced this collection, as it performed both a functional and aesthetic purpose.
"NIGHT RIDER"
For my tenth capsule collection, I was inspired by the western landscape of Montana after a recent trip to a dude ranch. From grassy plains to mountainous terrain, the diverse geography holds so much beauty. I find that I am most inspired by the natural world around us, from that I create pieces that remind me of these places. "Night Rider" was an exceptionally stimulating capsule to work on, I'm beginning to experiment with different materials, but what I love most is creating narratives for each collection.
"TEMPEST"
Inspired by the ocean, Tempest is a collection filled with beautiful shades of blue and unique charms and pendants. Imagine a summer spent in the Amalfi Coast, watching the light bounce off of the crystal blue water as you sit drinking a chilled Aperol Spritz next to a freshly cut bouquet of fragrant white roses. Those of us who live in New York often dream of paradise like this, or at least I do. Tempest is a dreamy escape from reality.
"PRELUDE"
My love for antique objects was the beginning of Prelude. As some may know, my brand was inspired by my grandma's jewelry that was passed down to me. My grandma, Betty Ann, I remember going to visit her in Wenatchee, Washington and digging through her collection of jewelry and clothes. The most beautiful, opulent objects I had ever seen. She would sit down at her grand piano and serenade us with endless songs while we frilled about in the summer heat. This collection is a serendipitous reflection of the past.
"VENUS"
Capsule Seven is inspired by my best-selling necklace "Venus" from my first launch in 2021. Originally, the Venus necklace was designed to oppose the Aphrodite necklace by offering an edgier interpretation of the delicacy that Aphrodite encapsulated. This collection plays on the same aesthetic that was embodied by the original design; the dichotomies between hard and soft, severe and gentle. The mix of metal chains and pearls explores this relationship between the two opposites, coming together to create my largest collection to date.
CAPSULE SIX
"Aphrodite"
Inspired by my best-selling necklace "Aphrodite" from my launch in June of 2021, this collection plays on the same aesthetic that grew my brand by use of unique blue and white porcelain beads, vintage repurposed pendants, and eye-catching silhouettes. While creating, it was important for me to research and acknowledge where blue and white porcelain first originated. The blue floral designs, or 青花 (qīng huā, meaning blue flowers/patterns), is most famous in Chinese pottery and porcelain where the style grew in popularity and was eventually adopted by other parts of the world. The first Chinese example of 青花 dates back to the seventh century in Henan province (河南省, Hénán Shěng) located in the central part of China, often referred to as 中州 (zhongzhou, which means central plain). The delicate floral designs inspired me to create this collection, which evokes both the rich history of blue and white porcelain and embodies a romantic aesthetic. Without further ado, I am excited to share with you the full "Aphrodite" collection.
CAPSULE FIVE
When I was a kid, my family and I would drive to Wenatchee, WA, the “Apple Capital of the World", to visit my grandparents. Years after they passed away, I would find myself browsing the produce aisle only to discover a Wenatchee sticker on my favorite apples. Walking around the East Village and past my local Bodega, I am reminded of that time and always look in the fruit stands for Wenatchee apples. This capsule was my attempt to tap into both those memories and my current reality in a fun way, resulting in this kitchy collection of all ~organic~ fruits and vegetables... and the occasional lobster...
♣️ CAPSULE FOUR ♣️
“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
My entire life has been spent dabbling in anything and everything that interests me. From learning Chinese to playing competitive piano (yeah that's a thing), to dancing and designing. There is nothing I love more than developing new passions. I think being a jack of all trades means you are not afraid to try new things, and possibly fail at them. Although the phrase has gained a negative connotation over the years, I don’t think we should forget the second half of the quote from the original Shakespeare, ‘…oftentimes better than a master of one’”. Why have one skill when you can have them all?
CAPSULE THREE
The last capsule of summer 2021. Swimwear. Sourced from one of my favorite fabric stores in San Francisco, Britex Fabrics, the fabrics in this capsule are fun, flirty (lol) and vibrant. This collection, along with capsule one, have products named after people, places and things from the novel 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne. As a nerdy little kid I was fascinated by the tales that Verne conjured up. From the phantom island of Crespo... to the Nautilus itself, each item is a subtle nod to the novel that broadened my imagination as a kid.
CAPSULE TWO
As I passed the sandy colored hills of eastern Washington, my younger self would day dream visions of extravagant photoshoots. Everywhere I went, I saw beauty that I wanted to capture. This capsule takes place in those sandy hills (although not the same ones I looked at as a kid). As an avid tote-bag owner, I wanted to create graphics that conveyed my passion for creativity. To think outside the box, and problem solve. To see the opportunity around you. Always. As an artist, being your own creative-self is the most important quality of all. Each graphic has their own special meaning to me, but they all encompass this exact message.
CAPSULE ONE
Where it all began...
My grandma once worked in a jewelry shop in the small town of Wenatchee, Washington. When she passed away, her collection of jewelry was passed down to our family, myself included. I inherited a pearl necklace that would become a staple in my wardrobe. I wear this necklace almost every day, keeping my grandma close to my heart. Over time, I began to draw inspiration from my string of pearls, taking shape in the form of my designs. This collection is an extension of my fascination with pearls, which I want to make available to those around me.
