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James
Kaya providing the personal touch |
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Armenian jeweller James Kaya is based in
Boston, Massachusetts. He came to the US when he was 18 years old after
living in Turkey, where he worked as a jewelry apprentice. After spending
five years in America, James launched his own design studio, Solair Jewelers.
James is a
master goldsmith, and designs precious jewelry with each piece being
entirely handmade. His award-wining original designs are recognized both
in conception and technique. In 2005 James Kaya won the Mort Abelson Award
from the American Jewelry Design Council and was named "JA New Designer
of the Year."
Combining platinum with only the highest quality
metals James personally selects each gemstone to create forms that go
well beyond traditional jewelry concepts. As an artist with two decades
of experience he has expanded his work to include private commissions
and one-of-a kind pieces for shows.
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James Kaya began making jewelry as a young boy.
He was fascinated with the process of shaping metal,which led him
to apprenticing in the rich metalworking traditions. James patiently
watched and learnt the techniques from his boss until finally producing
his first piece three years later-a pendant; which he describes
as "his greatest day
Using a style that is very architectural,
James tries to combine the old, very detailed work with a very modern
look, so that they do not look mechanical. His impressive designs
have a heavy, imposing quality combined with modern minimalism that
look just as impressive on their own as they do on the wearer.
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James's
inspiration developed in ancient Armenian and modern architecture, and
from that point on he started creating pieces to enter jewelry competitions.
After almost two decades of producing distinctive jewelery in relative
obscurity James entered a number of jewelry competitions in the US on
the advice of friends and colleagues. Multiple awards have followed and
now his business is growing faster than he ever dreamed of.
"I don't know if it was des tiny, but
it happened all of a sudden," James said modestly about his
sudden recognition. His great success has given James a lot of exposure
and sales of his designs have increased triple-fold. He has plans to expand
in 2006, and has been outsourcing his work because he can't physically
do it. James has three other jewelers on his staff, all of whom started
a student appren tices, just as he did himself.
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Outside
the American market James's clients come from the UK, Germany and
Australia. James said he will not let quality suffer at the hands
of higher productivity. "It takes months to create a design.
First I have to sketch it, render it on paper and then make a mould.
It's all done by hand - we don't use machines or anything. That's
what people like these days, the personal touch," he said.
Go to www.jameskaya.com for more information about James's work
and where you can see sketches of his designs. |
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Swarovski Rocks Paris |
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Runway
Rocks, Swarovski's provocative interna tional collection of specially
commissioned hand-made, one-of-a-kind, crystal catwalk jewels was unveiled
recently during Paris Couture, at a beautiful show held in the ultra lavish
surroundings of the historic Hotel Pozzo di Borgo, in Paris's Saint Germain
district.
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A
strong international flavour was injected into the Show with designers
from all corners of the globe, including those from Japan, Australia,
the UK, Italy, Brazil and France showing off the universal language
of ornament.
Stunning models marched out from a chic
black mirror box, along a sleek, black shiny runway, wearing thought
provoking crystal-encrusted couture jewels and body ornaments. The
Runway Rocks collection was commissioned by Swarovski, and
included individual works by some of the world's leading fashion
and jewellery names.
Fashion
names included Jean-Paul Gaultier, Hus sein Chalayan, Roberta
Cavalli and Antonio Berardi lined up with top jewellery designers
Philippe Ferrandis, Johnny Rocket, Noboru Shionoya, Lara Bohinc,
Pianegonda and accessories designer Rosemarie Le Gallais of Daniel
Swarovski.
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This
intensely couture collection featured show-stopping star pieces
from the designers whose imagina tions held no bounds: the
dramatically sensual Disco Flutter mask and dress by Scott Wilson,
a leading light of catwalk jewellery, and who has become known for
his head pieces and head ornaments.
Lara Bohinc's set of jewellery, centred
round a choker was inspired by the ancient Egyptians; Jean-Paul
Gaultier created protective armour which found its inspiration
in the constellation, with Swarovski crystals adding the right amount
of lustre. |
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Other designers
also did not disappoint: Paris based On Aura Tout Vu created a body
corset inspired by the concept of an Amazonian of the 21st century
and glamour of women and beauty; Italy's Pianegonda created, especially
for Runway Rocks, Raining Chains an oversized necklace in the silver
chain theme.
The House of Azzaro's Argentinean designer Va- nessa Seward integrated
a jewel into a gown in homage to Loris Azzaro, which was inspired
by a dress he designed in the 70s; Australian born John Pearce trained
as a fine jeweller, setting up his studio in London under the label
Johnny Rocket. In Paris, he realized a concept of a pop art princess
where Swarovski pearls are balanced with the shocking red of the
Siam beads.
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France's Philippe Ferrandis,
a jewellery and acces sories designer, designed a piece for
Runway Rocks that encapsulated his signature style; warm colours,
summer fireworks, peacocks and cockerels; Flor Vaquero chose a South
Pacific theme for the Runway Rocks show.
Jewellery has become an integral part of the fashion world. Runway
jewels underline the message and meaning of each new collection,
helping to spark innovate trends and themes in both fashion and
jewellery. As fashion and jewellery become more entwined, new
forms are evolving and emerging that subverts convention to shape.
Through Runway Rocks Swarovski is helping to highlight this very
intense corner of creativity. |
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Voila' revolutions
in time |
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Headquartered in Hong Kong, Intertime (Far East) Ltd
is a professional watch design and manufacturing company which first started
producing precision watch cases in the early nineties. Growing from thereon,
its R & D design teams have innovated, designed and continued to produce
quality timepieces for numerous Swiss, American, French and Asian designer
labels.
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1 ) Collection "Fig
8" is the strinking timepiece introduced by Voila, equipped
with a combination of'oversized date' chronograph & miniature
Swiss movements
2) The "Fig 8" collection is fitted with an Italian calf
leather strap & comes in a variety of colors such as rouge,
navy, brown, yellow & black, with large oversized numbers on
a polished mirror dial.
3) With large oversized numbers, the dial &lens of the "Grande
Cruz" has extended openings, each in-corporating either a Chronograph
counter or a date function of its movement. |
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Voila, a French
expression meaning simply "here it is" with a surprise
exclamation "I" mark, is branded on uniquely colorful
timepieces with elements of a 'WOW or 'SURPRISE,' or'!' in them.
Collections include Fig 8, Grande Cruz, Lost in Time, Op-La and
Time Flies.
Designed by Roger Khemlani, Voila timepieces are assembled by highly
skilled craftsmen in a climate controlled workshop in PRC, using
the best quality components Japan, Italy and Switzerland have to
offer. Voila's watch designs are highly distinctive, original works.
Voila's revolutionary snap-on strap collection, named Op-La was
officially launched at Basel 2002. Voila launch new collections
annually and market globally through the company's team of distributors
and retailers. |
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4) Fluttering bufferflies, flirting with spring flowers, are the inspiration
for the "Time Flies" collection by Voila. Movement:Quarz Ronda
Cal.732, Swiss made. 316L Stainless steel case with soldered wings, dial
with hour markers, available in aquamarine, carnation, forest, gold, onyx
& Thistle, italian leather strap.
5) "Collection Op-La." an italian translation for Voila, is
a collection of round & square watchea created for fashion loving
women. Exclusive feature is the unique "SNAP" bracelet, which
does not require any clasp & will fit on any wrist regardless of its
size.
6) Ancient Celtic spirals "Lost in Time" collection by Voila
Timepieces brings back designs that long been forgotten.
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"A successful revolutionary
design is eventually destined to be a classic," says Roger Khemlani,
Creative Director, Voila Watches. Roger Khemlani says he wants his designs
at Voila to create "this surprise ahead in time."
"To create a new classic, a timepiece cannot just have looks, but
understated details, which a whole lot us don't see but somehow feel they
are right," Roger said. "We at Voila strive in getting these
details right."
Watches are Roger Khemlani's passion. As a child he had a plastic watch
with hours and hands painted onto its face. "I loved it," he
said. From there on, for Roger, it was a natural evolution into the watch
industry.
"Eighteen years of working in the watch industry has taught me innovation
is the key to success," Roger said. "Voila is my small revolution
which brings the excitement this industry needs." |
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www.voilawatches.com
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James Kaya providing the personal touch
