Standing amidst Paris' 4th arrondissement is the
Pompidou Centre an ominous structure of steel columns built over three decades ago by Italian and British architects. A wildly popular attraction, the building houses a public library and Europe's largest museum of modern art,
Musée National d' Art Moderne. France is also the ancestral home of featured jewelr
y designer
Kézha Hatier-Reiss.
Acute attention to one's surroundings seems to be a universal characteristic of the creatively inclined from authors who draw upon several personality types to create a single character to actors who capture nuances of voice and movement to embody a role.
I have often referenced jewelry designers' unique capacity for sensory absorption, finding design potential, and beauty in an array of materials.
Nel Linssen's (Netherlands) colorful paper jewelry and the floral-inspired, bicycle inner tube renderings of
Thea Tolsma (Netherlands) are two examples of jewelers' subliminal connection to his or her environment.
A variety of Reiss' collective memories informs an aesthetic that is uniquely understated. "I spent most of my childhood on a stool in my father's workshop watching him work with leather and silver or in the museums and galleries of San Francisco and the Bay Area," says Reiss.
"I traveled extensively with my parents to Indian reservations in the United States and Canada. We went camping for weeks in remote places of the American Southwest. I spent summers combing the beaches near my grandparents' house in Tomales Bay in California.
The style of ceremonial jewelry, the colors of seashells, and the shape of gnarled wood and rocks each serve as inspiration. Many of my design ideas are also influenced by the old dress and art of my French and Native American ancestors."
In her
Sun Series collection, Reiss incorporates repetition of a simple circle form to build complex yet elegant patterns. Her materials of choice include 24-karat gold vermeil, sterling silver, 18- and 22-karat gold and such stones as turquoise with swirled, black veins, gold citrine and black onyx druzy so intense in color it resembles nutrient-rich soil.
Reiss' use of small elements like the sinewy, intertwined prong settings of her flower rings evoke outstretched branches. These unusual prongs' twisting grasp of a large gemstone is poetic and lyrical.
The airy, arabesque outlines of her
Coral Web items evoke the sights Reiss undoubtedly encountered during her beach combing excursions along the California coastline.
"My collections are hand carved and cast blending traditional lines and colors with modern ones. The completed piece promotes a feeling of beauty, connection, and confidence."
___________
Photo 1 (top right): 24-Karat Gold Vermeil Anemone Ring with Black Onyx and Druzy
Photo 2 (bottom left): 24-Karat Gold Vermeil Sun Series Choker Necklace
The 12th century Amiens Cathedral, located in Picardy, France, is the country’s tallest “complete cathedral”; a Gothic castle with elaborate statues of saints, and an open arcade. France is also home to featured jewelry designer Ornella Iannuzzi.
ntains Mediterranean and 9th century architecture as well as limestone cliffs and gorgeous beaches. France is also home to jewelry designer Diane de Navacelle.
An astounding five million people visit the small town of Lourdes in France. Since the reported ghostly appearance of the Virgin Mary to a young teenage girl over 100 years ago, devout visitors descend on the town each year. France is also home to featured jewelry designer Jean Dinh Van.
ver, you can find a little bit of Rome there too.
A prized symbol of French patriotism, and standing 162 feet, is Paris, France's Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile. The structure is one of the world's largest triumphal arches.
y designer Kézha Hatier-Reiss.
The regal beauty of the Château de Chambord is a striking fixture situated within a wooded park in France's Loire Valley.
Situated along the shoreline of France's Rhone River is the foreboding Tarascon Castle that was constructed during the 15th century by the order of Louis II of Anjou.
Encompassed within a forest is France's Chateau de Lanquais; a historic castle built during the 1300s with a distinctive blend of architectural styles. France is also the home of featured jewelry designer Arabelle Morgan.
The picturesque Château de Chenonceau in France sits along the shoreline of the River Cher, and its serene facade betrays a complex past.
Today we explore the Castle of Florac, a former salt loft during the French Revolution, in south-central France. Surrounded by the lovely Cévennes National Park, the castle serves as the park's information center. France is also the home of featured jewelry designer Christophe Burger.
We are visiting the pebble-laden beaches located in Nice, France. We have made sure to purchase beach shoes to secure our footing; however, the thought of strolling along the beach of such a glamorous city holds our attention. France is also the home of featured jewelry designer Philippe Ferrandis.
