I met a fascinating woman the other day. Over dinner, at a friend’s house. She wore a simple outfit. Her curly salt-and-pepper hair was pulled back in a loose chignon and she was wearing the most fabulous earrings. I told her that I found the earrings mesmerizing and learned that she made them herself.
Well, colour me intrigued. This woman I must get to know better.
How to proceed? How soon is too soon in France? What to bring? Champagne, or a tube of Norwegian cod roe paste?
I went to visit her at the impossibly cute bed and breakfast that she runs a couple of days after, and was shown her collection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
The closest I get to describing how I felt when looking at her custom jewelry, is the time I saw Vermeer's The Milkmaid in real life for the first time.
That feeling when you understand that you’re in the presence of true art.
And calling these pieces jewelry is almost an insult. This, my dearest passion flower, is wearable art.
The pieces are certainly not minimalist, they are rich and exquisitely detailed. One of the pieces had elements of the face and clockwork of a deconstructed antique watch worked into the design (shown here).
I can imagine it gracing the neck of a statuesque Dark or True Autumn.
One of the special joys of being a colour analyst is that I get to wallow in so many items and styles that are perfect for all my different clients. And this was one of those moments.
I would pick up a pair of earrings singing with the joyful exuberance of True Spring (shown here).
I would fondle a bracelet that would elevate the style of a True Autumn.
I would drool over a necklace that would be dynamite on a Dark Autumn.
And so passed the afternoon. Fondling necklaces, earrings and bracelets in between sips of strong coffee served in beautiful porcelain cups, each piece so beautiful that tears welled up in my eyes.
I decided that I could not keep this to myself.
I wanted share this with you and if you are interested in securing a one-of-a-kind piece for yourself, you can get in touch with Koya here. There's a link to her website, click on the images. And I'll send special recommendations to the applicable Seasons on my Bespoke emails list.
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