Alix Tran is the jewelry designer of the brand My Sens which means ‘pretty lotus flower’ in Vietnamese. Playful, simple and inspired by the nature, My Sen’s jewels are unique, thoughtful and, by observing them, you can feel Alix’s respect for craft gesture.
Photo : © Tony Trichanh
Could you please introduce yourself?
I am Alix, I am 30 and I am the designer of My Sen jewels, in Paris.
Photo : © My Sen. Pièce réalisée en école.
How would you define your universe?
Simple, timeless, playful and raw (I like when the production marks are visible). The whole project is inspired by nature!
Photo : © Tony Trichanh
When and how have you decided to launch your activity?
During my studies in Paris, I discovered what we call ‘the designers’, a catch-all word which refers to the persons who make objects by themselves, in small series (clothes, jewels, decoration…). I discovered Paris through fairs and designers shops. Then, I entered the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg where I discovered the jewelry world!
I quickly realized I wanted to evolve in this ‘designer’ field after my studies. I launch my activity immediately to see where all this could lead, as long as I didn’t have significant responsabilities so far. My brand My Sen is officially born in November 2015.
Photo : © Tony Trichanh
What is your background?
I studied history and history of art at the Sorbonne and I wanted to move on from theory to practice…I started my first year into the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg.
It is an art school, with an artistic education, not technical. At the jewelry workshop, they teach contemporary jewelry (little known in France), as a piece of art, in reference to the body. The contemporary jewelry can be made with any material, it is not necessarily wearable, it can only be an object for a photograph or a performance, for example.
If you continue to work in that direction, the field is composed of exhibitions, galleries, collectors but I choose the ‘designer’ jewel, an everyday jewel!
Photo : © Tony Trichanh
Photo : © Tony Trichanh
How did this passion start?
At the School of Decorative Arts, we specialize during the second year, when we enter a workshop, in a section (object, communication, design, art).
Quickly, I selected the object section and the jewelry workshop (among the following sections: book, wood, ceramic, glass, metal). And I immediately realized it was what I was looking for my future, what I wanted. It reminded me what I made during my childhood : to tinker objects with my hands. I lost this habit during my school years because I was involved in a more intellectual path. At the School of Decorative Arts, I was able to develop both paths!
The jewelry field is very wide, I had never suspected its size and its wealth until I got involved! As a historical and symbolic statement, the jewel conveys many details about the society.
Photo : © My Sen. Pièce réalisée en école.
Photo : © My Sen. Pièce réalisée en école.
When have you created your first piece? What was it?
My first piece was a necklace I made during my first year at the workshop : a combination of bells, in brass, made one by one to create a golden and sound grape. By making this piece, I discovered my interest in sound and it properly represents my way of working : to start with small elements, to repeat them in droves to create an imposing whole piece. Finally, I often find this concept of repetition and accumulation in the nature.
Photo : © My Sen. Première pièce réalisée en école.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Nature is an unlimited inpiration. I thought I couldn’t keep a plant alive and now, I accumulate them at home and it is a real pleasure to see them blooming and to see a leaf spreading out!
Generally, inspiration is everywhere, I also observe jewels currently made, or during some periods or in different societies, there are so many pieces to discover!
Sometimes, when I want to try a new technique it is also a way to start a new project. I had different phases : weaving (because of carpets), vegetal dyes, knitting, crochetwork, embroidery…. At such time, I regret my school years, it was a more suitable time to do this kind of time-consuming research and experiment!
To read the last part : My Sen – 2/3 Know-how
Photo : © Tony Trichanh
Photos : © My Sen, © Tony Trichanh. Photographs provided by Alix Tran and published with her approval. Cover : © Tony Trichanh.
