Featured in this month's edition of Lifestyle Asia. Shown here are bright colored earrings from the recently launched Orientalism collection. Available at Firma Greenbelt 3 and Aum Jewels, TriNoma. Grab your copy now!
Many thanks to Cristina Gomez.
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Well, at least Lovi Poe's wearing white. But on her ears are a ribbons of pave set diamonds in yellow gold and danglers of blue topaz briolettes. The drops are again detachable and the ribbon-like top can be worn as is or with another drop of choice.
Photo by Alex Fusilero
Styled by Jeff Galang
I release a new collection this October 13, along with Kristine Dee, with an Orientalism theme. It'll be a special one day only trunk show at Chef Jessie at the Rockwell Club. A really casual afternoon tea banquet. So please save the date and hope you can make it. I'll be posting preview pictures of upcoming pieces soon!
Last week we reported that jeweler Kristine Dee collaborated with her good friend and fellow designer Paul Syjuco on Deux Yeux, a two-part jewelry collection that presents their respective takes on ancient court jewelry. Paul focused on the famed jewels of the Mughal dynasty from the mid-1500s to the late 16th century. Their historic jewelry are prominent for their opulent Islamic and Hindu motifs.
"I took inspiration from Mughal jewelry—really far out, priceless, national budget-crippling pieces of the Maharajas that are short of impossible to replicate at present. It was a period of excess and opulence that was really unheard of," Paul tells us.
"I'm sort of a history nerd and I've always been so fascinated by the romance and crazy stories from the old world," he continues. "And so for this collection I really think the old world feel came through, or at least that's what I wanted to bring out, though still keeping with my design aesthetic to streamline. It was a bit of a challenge as most of the period pieces I based my designs on were really huge body pieces and head (turban) gear. But it was an interesting process in that even selection of the types of stones and the cuts and the shapes were considered."
Read on to find out more about Paul as a designer, and don't forget to click on the photo gallery to see his Deux Yeux collection.
What was your point of realization when you knew you wanted to design jewelry?
I'm actually a third generation jeweler. After university, I started out as a stock market analyst and then moved to consumer finance. After a few years doing that, I just really needed to do something that involved some creative output, [but] not to be a designer per se. So I got into one of the family businesses for its potential. I then took up gemology and jewelry design. The latter really helped me put my ideas on paper more fluently, and [helped me] think more three-dimensionally. I didn't really seek to be a designer, but I guess it just happened for me in that it was part of the job as a whole. It's been 11 years since.
How would you define your aesthetic, and your design perspective?
I really think about my pieces. I refine them quite a bit. I like things clean and streamlined. Very deliberate. I could make things glamorous and out there but I think majority of the things I design have a sort of subdued luxury feel to it, which all the more works with my focus on producing wearable pieces.
What do you find is the best thing about designing jewelry?
When I design for somebody or when I do a bespoke piece, it really is the greatest feeling to see them really appreciating the end product and for them to actually wear it.
What kind of jewelry do you love to see a woman wearing?
I like it when women mix it up a bit. Things don't necessarily have to match all the time. So whether it's a rope necklace or a cocktail ring or cuff worn all together, if it doesn't look contrived at all and they're really rocking it, I find that really sexy.
What are you in the mood to see, in terms for jewelry, this season?
More movement, more colors, more wit. Though fine jewelry design tends to focus on being contemporary than seasonal, really.
If you had to pick, what is your favorite piece from Deux Yeux, and why?
The Y-necklace of faceted spinel beads with the lemon topaz and honey quartz drops; I just love the feel of this piece. I find it quietly extravagant. There's a rawness to it but it's still sophisticated. The stones are faceted but retain the general shape of the rough and I can just imagine using diamonds of these sizes back in the day.
What are you looking forward to in the year to come, both personally and professionally?
Maybe go somewhere I've never been to before. Just to open the mind a bit more. To be inspired. I've also been considering opening a new showroom somewhere but things have yet to come together in that aspect.
To view the original article click HERE
Thanks to Jae De Veyra Pickrell.
*Inset are earrings and ring of carved peridot cabochons and diamonds set in yellow gold.
The Deux Yeux collection can be found at Firma, Greenbelt 3 and at Aum Jewels, TriNoma.
Town & Country features Michelle Ongpin in breathtaking Balesin Island for their summer and travel issue!
Partially hidden, here she wears my multi-strand necklace of emerald-like tsavorites, cultured pearls, coral, aquamarines and carnelians set in yellow gold. Big, bold and beautiful.
And here she wears my multi strand bib of faceted smoky quartz with green amethysts set in hand textured yellow gold.
Here's to a hot, heady summer ahead!
*Both necklaces available at Firma Greenbelt 3 as part of the Deux Yeux collection.
Shamcey wears my lotus flower inspired rose cut rhodolite garnet earrings with yellow sapphires in this month's issue of Sense & Style Magazine. When worn, it covers a good part of the lobe. Sometimes its not just your clothes you match your jewelry with but your skin color as well. And I love how it goes well with Shamcey's olivine skin tone. The earrings are part of the Deux Yeux collection coming out this November 11, 2011 at Firma Greenebelt 3.
The history of grand jewels is nothing short of fascinating. Stories of fabulous wealth and costly inventories of exquisite gems seem so far fetched today, and somewhat of a social sin, that when one reads accounts of court jewels from the Mughal Dynasty, Siam royalty, as well as the French and English crown jewels, one wouldn’t know if they were actually fantasy or fairy tale. From the fabulous Golconda finds, wherein the first diamonds were mined, came the largest and most illustrious of gems; providing the Mughals their playthings of pebble sized diamonds strung in massive bibs, turban ornaments, bracelets and rings, among other things…and all worn together at the same time.
A sort of exchange of European and Indian/Oriental design happened in the early 1900’s when French joalliers were commissioned by the English royal house to take apart and recreate many of the accumulated gifts from India, considered the greatest jewels in Europe then. The French artisans redesigned them into lighter, more elegant, Indian-inspired feminine pieces as the originals were mainly worn and designed for male wearers.
Magnificent pieces were produced through commissions between the 1700’s and early 1900’s by Queen Alexandra, Napoleon and the infamous Marie Antoinette to name a few, but so far as history goes, the general fate of these said magnificent jewels were either to be taken apart or redesigned according to the successive monarchs' tastes. A majority of the French Crown Jewels was, in fact, auctioned off in 1887 to prevent a royalist coup d’etat. Parures, coronets and diadems of natural pearls, precious gems and large diamonds were dismantled and sold into numerous lots. And once they were disposed, most were never to be heard from again.
It is in these cloudy chronicles that Kristine and Paul draw inspiration for their new creations from. Wherein literal translations of these jewels would be next to impossible, the designers now attempt to reinterpret these grand designs with their own takes. “I am inspired to create pieces that give a similar feel of elegance and history using a more playful approach,” says Kristine. “I’ve also been watching Disney fairy tale based movies and listening to the soundtracks while I design. I don't know if this has a strong influence on the outcome, but it keeps the royal mood light and fun!”
“What inspires me are the classic forms and motifs; the incredibly large stones and the formal symmetry. Which I plan to inject some movement, tension and whimsy to, to lighten the whole look,” says Paul. “During the creation process, I noticed a large part of my collection gave nod to the Mughal era; with ‘decadence’ as the guiding principle in allusion to the feel of the end product. But I made sure everything would still be wearable.”
Deux Yeux, roughly meaning “two eyes”, aims to show two different views on the discussion of court jewels. The challenge of which is to practically imagine the original pieces; even the original cuts of the gems themselves, as references to these remain scarce. It was in a time of yet unspoiled commercial society that these jewels came to be and it is in that essence of pure creativity that fueled the designers’ minds.
The collections will once again be produced applying the principles of renewable luxury. Using reclaimed precious metals and forming them into these newly inspired pieces.
Deux Yeux’s launch will be on November 11, 2011 at Firma Greenbelt 3, Friday, at 6pm. Co-presented by Ayala Malls, Moet & Chandon and L’Oreal Paris Philippines.
Glad to be in this month's Town & Country's list again.
The spinel earrings is at number 1.
Thanks again to Rorie Manzano for "liking"!
Many thanks to Daphne Osena-Paez for rounding up everyone for this cause. This necklace will go on auction along with other amazing works by Filipino designers starting May 25, 2011 via eBay.
Art and Design Come Together for Unicef Auction
By: Dexter R. Matilla
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Monday, May 23rd, 2011
MANILA, Philippines—Real-life stories of maternal deaths happen in the Philippines. Whether the cause may be due to lack of skilled midwives in rural areas or inaccessibility to hospitals, death during childbirth is a main concern for the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Philippines.
Through the initiative of Daphne Oseña-Paez, Unicef special advocate for children, artists and designers have put their resources together in the hope of raising money that would benefit programs on maternal health and education in the Philippines’ poorer areas.
“When you meet a husband who has lost his wife due to excessive bleeding and was not rushed to the nearest hospital, you start to think and realize that these things should not be happening in 2011,” Oseña-Paez says.
Joining her is celebrity host and also a Unicef special advocate for children Bianca Gonzalez, who has been working with Unicef since 2007.
“Our work with Unicef is that we go with them on site visits—at public schools and daycare centers—and spread the word as much as possible on what’s happening and how people can help,” Gonzalez says.
Gonzalez adds that Unicef would like people to know the funds for its projects do not necessarily come from the United Nations but from donations by individuals, corporations, volunteers.
Hard work and perseverance
Unicef country representative Vanessa Tobin says the project, Auction for Action, is a first for Unicef Philippines.
“Our partnership with acclaimed artists via online auction helps us engage the public in a new and interesting way,” Tobin says. “As well as raising important funds for our work, we will be able to raise awareness of important issues affecting children in the most disadvantaged communities of the Philippines and worldwide.”
“I’ve been working with Unicef since 2007 and I’m very excited to be a part of this unique fundraising auction,” Gonzalez says. “Whilst online auctions are quite new to the Philippines, it’s very secure, and the best thing is you can participate from anywhere in the country.”
But it was through the perseverance of Oseña-Paez that the auction will push through and go live online on May 25 via www.ebay.ph/unicef.
Oseña-Paez says she approached friends—via text, e-mail, Facebook and Twitter—who are artists and designers with the idea of donating items for the auction, with the funds benefiting Unicef’s various projects.
“My head spun that first week—it was like I had a list of favorite things from my favorite creative people,”Oseña-Paez says. “I couldn’t believe how easy it was to ask for help. The rest of the hard work is being done by the Unicef team. It has been many days and nights of coordination, planning and logistical problem-solving.”
Participating artists
Featured artists are Manny Baldemor, Michael Cacnio, Celestina, Seb Chua, Kenneth Cobonpue, Araceli LimcacoDans, Kristine Dee, Janina Dizon, Mich Dulce, Tom Epperson, Accessory Lab, Ito Kish, E. Billy Mondoñedo, Ramon Orlina, Debbie Palao, Ling Quisumbing Ramilo, Benji Reyes, Popo San Pascual, Joey Samson, Vito Selma, Victor Sollorano, Paul Syjuco, Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre of Firma/Felicity, Reg Yuson, and Oseña-Paez herself.
Galerie Joaquin artists such Jovan Benito, Jomar Delluba, Hamzah Marbella, Dominic Rubio and Juvenal Sansó are also participating.
Up for grabs in the auction are experiential packages, including dinner by chef Tonyboy Escalante of Antonio’s, and dugout experience with the Philippine Football Team, or Azkals, on July 3 at the World Cup qualifier in Manila.
“Daphne’s love for art and Unicef’s cause made this happen,” Gonzalez says. Oseña-Paez says none of them had any experience of putting together an auction before, and thanks partner eBay Philippines for making it possible.
“This is like a dream for me—curating and organizing a show like this,” Oseña-Paez says.
And the same can probably be said for the beneficiaries of the auction.