Handmade luxe

Handcrafted pieces that are made using traditional techniques are currently at the forefront of fashion jewellery design. They seem to be steadily easing mass-produced pieces out of the market – giving rise to unique, organic and often luxurious jewellery pieces that go beyond the usual and are, in themselves, little works of art.

Jewellery as art

Ciara Marasigan-Serumgard of the Ciara Creates and Cristal Fantaisie by Ciara labels designs and personally handcrafts opulent fashion jewellery pieces using a combination of pearls, coral, Swarovski crystals and assorted gemstones. The high level of creativity that goes into each of Marasigan-Serumgard's creations clearly shows in her handcrafted masterpieces, each piece evoking vivid imagery culled from her personal inspirations and experiences.

"Global trends alone do not dictate my design direction but certainly influence me the way other experiences do. The visions I have are celebrations of how I experience the world," the designer-artist shares on her website. Marasigan-Serumgard regards her creations as functional art. To her, they are not as mere accessories but as serious works of art that exhibit her seemingly instinctive creative process.

Unique, natural chic

The growing appreciation for luxe, handcrafted fashion jewellery made the traditional way is not lost on Filipino jewellery designer Arnel Papa, whose highly covetable pieces have a strong following among fashionistas and celebrities in the Philippines.

"I would describe my work as something that is unique and natural – unique in the sense that its designs and components create a mixture of simplicity and elegance, natural as they are," the designer tells AFJA Review. Papa's designs exhibit his metalsmithing prowess, a craft he has honed over the years. This he combines with stunning details and natural components to come up with his luxe, oftentimes opulent creations. "Metals are melted, mixed and shaped according to the look of the design. What differentiates us from the others is the materials we use. We create our pieces using our very own indigenous and local materials, mixing them with metals and stones in order to come up with unique and stylish pieces," he says.

"With its simplicity and uniqueness the jewellery then projects its classiness to whoever wears it, giving them a chic look without overwhelming the simple and natural essence of the craft," he adds.

Multi-textured glam

Walid al Damirji, the designer behind the By Walid collection on high-end online accessories boutique couturelab.com, creates one-of-a-kind neckpieces using rare, antique materials.

All made entirely by hand, the London-based designer's luxurious creations elicit a visceral reaction. Known for his antique passementerie, luxury textiles and embellished pieces, Walid mixes and layers antique crochet, lace, textile, fringe trimming and beads to achieve the chic, organic and multi-textured look of his current collection for the website.

The designer's predilection for crafting handmade pieces using rare, antique materials also ensures that no two pieces are exactly alike.

Source: Asia's Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Review