Jewels becomes miniature sculptures in the hands of Brazilian-born designer Paola Vilas, whose new collection unpicks what it is to be feminine. O Sonho; (The Dream) draws a series of fluid and sculptural lines in gold, casting whimsical and dreamlike scenarios.
‘The pieces I create express a vision of contemporary issues, through inventive and sculptural perspectives,’ says Vilas. ‘The investigation of the feminine energy through forms of the body gives organicity to all shapes. The jewellery creates a poetic and utopic atmosphere, empowering the wearer and working as a true conversation starter, building interesting connections between strangers.’
The jewellery itself depicts fantastical worlds – flying fish represent the current need for urgent transformation; the fertile feminine figure, on clouds of pearls, expresses the power of creation; in other pieces the body becomes fragmented and splits into individual frames with shifting yet strong results.
‘The use of elements in an unusual context challenges observers' preconditioned perceptions and rejects established values,’ she says. She is inspired by Picasso, Le Corbusier and Barbara Hepworth for her utopian pieces which explore the power of dreams and the gateway they offer to the unconscious.
As a jeweller, functionality is as essential as design. ‘I always initially consider the real shape of the human body,’ Vilas says. ‘In the Louise Cuff, for example, the movement of the body was observed in a body study – it is essential for me to consider all the ergonomic aspects of the piece. I need to know if it will be comfortable for the wearer, if the proportion of the body I have projected as a sculpture will have the effect expected as a piece of jewellery, and if the sizing and weight will be fit for daily use.’
INFORMATION
-
All-In is the Paris-based label making full-force fashion for main character dressingPart of our monthly Uprising series, Wallpaper* meets Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø of All-In, the LVMH Prize-nominated label which bases its collections on a riotous cast of characters – real and imagined
-
Maserati joins forces with Giorgetti for a turbo-charged relationshipAnnouncing their marriage during Milan Design Week, the brands unveiled a collection, a car and a long term commitment
-
Through an innovative new training program, Poltrona Frau aims to safeguard Italian craftThe heritage furniture manufacturer is training a new generation of leather artisans
-
Art takes London: Tiffany & Co, Damien Hirst and artists take over Selfridges' windowsFour British contemporary artists celebrate Tiffany & Co's pioneering history with a series of storied window displays
-
Late summer jewels: what to wear at Golden HourLate summer signals a jewellery style-shift. These independent designers have got it covered
-
All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hitWhat started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to knowThese independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
-
Jewellery designers share their most precious personal piecesA host of jewellers give us a peek at the jewellery which brings them joy and solace
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a momentWe'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
-
Eternity rings for the modern coupleEternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
-
Hair jewellery to covet and collectToday’s hair jewellery is both practical and pretty. We're pinning our hopes on these simple and elegant accessories
