We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Nina Vidmar about their original and creative Ring design work. Nina Vidmar is an award-winning fashion designer, that makes our world a better place with their original ring works.
Nina Vidmar ("NV") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work An Emperors Love Ring. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
NV : An Emperor's Love Ring was inspired by the beauty of one of nature's masterpieces, the perfection and symmetry of the hydrangea.
NV : Hortensia is a flower that evokes a powerful sensuality; an emotion I wanted to capture in my design. My vision was to create a unique collection of treasured and innovative gemstone pieces celebrating the glorious Hortensia blossoms in brilliant color, fashioned of the highest quality.
NV : I plan to present my work from ''The Illuminated Garden'' collection at the relevant exhibitions that could potentially open connections for the future.
NV : The study and research started in May 2018. We finalised the ring at the end of November 2018.
NV : All of my designs are based on my own inspiration and include something from the flora world. It's my main inspiration. This is just who I am, and nature is my kind of perfection that I like to transform with contemporary silhouettes in my jewellery pieces. Flowers and undergrowth work ultra feminine for me and this is my way of art.
NV : I work exclusively under my own brand name; NINA VIDMAR Bloom de Gemme. I have no plans of selling my production rights.
NV : The ring is by far my most beloved jewellery piece. I can express my creativeness the most with rings and because of this I always start to conceptualize every collection with rings. If I had to wear only one piece of jewellery it would be the ring.
NV : No other designs or designers, just natures design of flawless Hydrangea flowers.
NV : When designing I am always envisioning this woman who would wear this particular piece of my jewellery. The character changes like the occasion suitable for the piece. What never changes is the idea of empowering her. Every jewellery piece is an affirmation of her femininity, delicate yet alluring, poised but with purpose.
NV : It's the details I would say. It's big and bold. It works so empowering by wearing and beautiful at the same time. Not for the fainthearted. It can capture your attention for a while and hold you for itself. It is how the details are made with high precision and delicacy — also the use of high-quality sapphire gemstones, rubies and diamonds, which reflects with high lustre.
NV : Name of An Emperor's Love Ring presents the great emperor's admiration of the girl that the ring was meant for. The story behind the emperor's love for the girl he was not allowed to marry. It's a beautiful story of forbidden love.
NV : That is quite simple. In my design tools for this project were pencils, sketchbook, watercolour pencils, acrylic paint and brushes. That is what I use when designing. Then there is production side which includes waxing, moulding, polishing, gemstone setting, and other jewellery making tools and techniques.
NV : One of the most interesting aspects is the diamond flower that can be seen through the soft pink tourmaline. I was also paying high attention to maintain the effect of ''live flowers'', the dimension.
NV : Yes, of course. I give special attention to how the pieces are made, the method and materials. This is highly important to me. Each piece is carefully considered, every detail predetermined to perfection. What begins as an idea, always finishes as a statement piece in the hands of skilled sculptors and master jewellers.
NV : The art of lost-wax casting is an ancient method of fine jewellery fabrication which dates back thousands of years. Also called cire-perdue, little has changed of the intricate technique, with our master artisans following the same painstaking procedure as their ancestors. Original sculpture of the custom piece of jewellery is sculpted using a soft wax material. Once the sculpture is perfected, the wax is melted, and a metal mould is produced, replicating the delicate jewellery design exactly. 18K gold is poured into the mould, and then the meticulous process of finishing, polishing and perfecting the gold is completed before assembling. The entire detailed process is a true labour of love and the dedication of an accomplished artisan.
NV : Research started in the garden while admiring the beauty of the colorful Hortensia bushes when not yet all little flowers are open in full blossom. Studying this masterpiece of nature and its' effortless perfection begged an intense focus on the expressive lines.
NV : The challenge was to fasten the small gemstone flowers onto the ring successfully and at the same time create strength and durability. We wanted the ring to look fragile like wearing real Hortensia flowers. To mimic the lightness and live motion of the petals, the structure had to endure the pressure of wear and therefore needed to be strong and resilient.
NV : I learned for A Award Design competition only a few days before submitting the first Hortensia Bouquet Ring. This was also only a few days before the Late Entry deadline. So there was little to think about and I decided also to submit the Emperor's Love Ring.
NV : What I am still learning is to have patience and to take all the time that some project may need. To understand that every intricate design takes it's time to be designed, constructed and latest produced. There is absolutely no other way, no shortcuts.
