Antarctic landscapes inspire Monique Péan’s new Atelier collection

'I want to create beautiful objects without having a negative impact on the earth,' Monique Péan explains in the office boardroom of Adjaye Associates, where her remarkable new Atelier collection is laid like a glittering feast across the table.
This eco-friendly philosophy permeates her practice, from the recycled materials she chooses and the local artisans she employs in New York City, to her outreach programme that helps to build clean water wells across Africa. In return for environmental consciousness, it seems the earth repays her with an abundance of inspiration. Péan travels extensively to remote locations, most recently Antarctica, searching for naturally occurring phenomena (shapes, erosions, colours and textures) that she can artfully replicate in her designs.
Monique Péan's New York studio, featuring furniture she has collected or designed
The natural world also appears throughout Péan's collection in a very literal sense, through fossilised dinosaur bones. 'They really are like nature's paintings,' she says, pointing to a bold necklace featuring a large, highly-polished fossilised disc. The deep grey colouring is flecked with moments of white, telling an ancient story in an animated, highly contemporary way.
Alongside these, Atelier sees a more focused emphasis on diamonds than previous collections, inspired by the icy, arid landscapes seen on her travels. Hexagon, trillion, waterfall and rose cuts are favoured, contrasting the organic, rough-edged fossils.
Sustainable grey Tahitian pearl arch ring with white diamond pavé and 18ct recycled white gold
Whether raw or refined, each stone is held by a structural, architectural framework. 'I'm interested in shadows and the interaction between positive and negative spaces,' Péan offers. This spatial awareness is crucial to the collection. Theatric, arched ring settings hold the industrial diamonds in suspense. Precise lines of antique pavé diamonds pause mid-way across the wrist on slim silver bangles. Angular shapes gently touch and overlap, creating geometric puzzles at the end of each earring.
Rather than fighting each other, the natural and manmade elements form a double act, proving that both forces can coexist quite happily – if treated with as much care and creativity as Péan applies.
Champagne trillion diamond cuff with white diamond pavé and 18ct recycled oxidised white gold
INFORMATION
For more information, visit Monique Péan’s website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.
-
ICON 4x4 goes EV, giving their classic Bronco-based restomod an electric twist
The EV Bronco is ICON 4x4’s first foray into electrifying its range of bespoke vintage off-roaders and SUVs
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
‘Dressed to Impress’ captures the vivid world of everyday fashion in the 1950s and 1960s
A new photography book from The Anonymous Project showcases its subjects when they’re dressed for best, posing for events and celebrations unknown
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Inside Camperlab’s Harry Nuriev-designed Paris store, a dramatic exercise in contrast
The Crosby Studios founder tells Wallpaper* the story behind his new store design for Mallorcan shoe brand Camperlab, which centres on an interplay between ‘crushed concrete’ and gleaming industrial design
By Jack Moss Published
-
Art takes London: Tiffany & Co, Damien Hirst and artists take over Selfridges' windows
Four British contemporary artists celebrate Tiffany & Co's pioneering history with a series of storied window displays
By Anne Soward Published
-
Late summer jewels: what to wear at Golden Hour
Late summer signals a jewellery style-shift. These independent designers have got it covered
By Caragh McKay Published
-
All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hit
What started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London
By Elisa Anniss Published
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to know
These independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Jewellery designers share their most precious personal pieces
A host of jewellers give us a peek at the jewellery which brings them joy and solace
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a moment
We've been deep-diving into boutiques around the world to find the very best calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form. It seems jewellers have been busy rethinking pearls, with contemporary (and often affordable) results
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Eternity rings for the modern couple
Eternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Hair jewellery to covet and collect
Today’s hair jewellery is both practical and pretty. We're pinning our hopes on these simple and elegant accessories
By Hannah Silver Last updated