We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Laura Micheli about their original and creative Earrings design work. Laura Micheli is an award-winning fashion designer, that makes our world a better place with their original earrings works.
Laura Micheli ("LM") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Leaf Earrings. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
LM : Nature is one of the main sources of inspiration for this design in terms of shapes, light, composition and texture. In these earrings, simple and essential, one continuous piece of metal is delicately folded creating the shape of a leaf. The metal is slightly textured through the hammering thecnique to increase the variety of light reflections on it. The design is totally handmade and it can be realised in brass, aluminium, sterling silver or gold. There are no first or second class metals, they all have unique qualities that can be highlighted through their manipulation.
LM : I wanted to create a piece of jewellery which was light both in its weight and aesthetic. I wanted it to be simple and wearable everyday.
LM : I hope that, getting more visibility, I will start to sell this piece (and others) in boutiques or though companies. I would also be interested in starting a collaboration with other jewellery designers or artists.
LM : The process of design of this piece went though two phases and a lot of time passed between the first idea and realisation of the prototype and the final design.
LM : It wasn't a commission, I designer the earrings for myself. I hate to wear heavy pieces of jewellery, especially earrings, so I decided to design something that I could almost forget to be wearing, but that would still be visible and look beautiful.
LM : This design is not sold by any company at the moment. I would like to produce the work myself, but I am open to different possibilities.
LM : Both a practical reason, the will to design a light weight earring which wouldn't look completely "invisible" and the inspiration to nature.
LM : I often work on many pieces at the same time and every piece constantly influences the others.
LM : Women like me, who want to wear a special accessory on a daily basis.
LM : The simplicity and coherence in its concept, aesthetic and execution.
LM : It comes from the inspiration for it: leaves and nature. You will also find the design with the name of "Zefiro" on my website. Zefiro is the name of the greek God of wind, that's a reference to the lightness of the earrings.
LM : My hands are my primary tool. Then, silver and bronze as materials and all the basic tools used in jewellery.
LM : The lightness and simplicity.
LM : I didn't collaborate with anyone to realise this design. I work alone.
LM : Technology helps in the final steps of the realisation, but most of the work is done by hand.
LM : Yes, my work as a jewellery designer is constantly influenced by other disciplines. Above all, architecture, which is my other great passion and job, but also art, photography, science or music. I look at books and make researches online on topics that I find interesting. I use the phone to take photographs of things that catch my attention every day. It's funny to see how, after weeks or months, the object or moment that I photographed comes back into my mind and becomes an inspiration.
LM : I realised the design when I was still learning a lot about the techniques to use, especially in working with silver. I think that my naivety made the design even more interesting in the end.
LM : I was driven by the curiosity of participating to a big Design Competition. It was my first one and I would have never imagined to win an Award!
LM : I did the prototipe for these earrings a long time ago. It was one of my first works approaching silver, but I wasn’t convinced at the beginning and I left them incomplete. Then, almost one year later, I found them in a box and started to work again, with more knowledge and self confidence. To me, they represent my growth as a jewellery designer.
LM : No, thank you. It was a broad interview. If you want to see more of my design please don't hesitate to visit my website: www.laurmicheli.com or contact me.
