My Sen 3/3 more details about Alix

To conclude this interview, Alix gives us more details about her tastes. She also talks about the difficulties of her activity: to distinguish yourself, not to underestimate yourself, to be multi-skilled, etc.

Photo : © Tony Trichanh

Can you name 3 jewelry designers you like?

Sophie Hanagarth, professor at the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, her work is strong and quite rough, I love it. Moreover, there are former students such as Marine Dominiczak (award winner of the ‘Jeune Création Métiers d’art’ Prize in 2016), Annie Sibert or Marion Delarue who accumulates an impressive know-how, acquired in several Asian countries.

Photo : © Tony Trichanh

Do you have favourite major artists?

It has always been a hard question for me… I admire a lot of artists, in different fields, but I wouldn’t be able to a few ones, as a reference.
That being said, in the jewelry world, I would say Peter Hoogeboom, Henri Gargat, David Bielander…

Photo : © Tony Trichanh

Do you have favoutite jewels?

No, I don’t…I used to wear many jewels, I have a full box of jewels! However, since I entered a workshop, I don’t wear jewels anymore! Only my wedding and engagement rings, it is so traditional…

Photo : © Tony Trichanh

What are the two main qualities to be a good jewelry designer?

To apply some self-analysis (without undervaluing yourself) to always go forward. Patience and curiosity are also important.

Photo : © Tony Trichanh

What would you advise to a new jewelry designer?

I’ve just started so I don’t feel confortable giving my opinion like a wise old man. However, I was able to see that we need to be patient because everything takes time! It is better that you do not wait for eveything to be perfect to take the plunge because, once again, everything takes time. We progressively build things, by failing and by learning.
It is a good thing to recognize your value or your work’s value. Nevertheless, it is also something that evolves and that we need to work on.

Photo : © My Sen. Pièce réalisée en école.

Is there a jewel – made by another designer – you would have loved to create?

So many…I often feel that way! Everytime I see a jewel that looks ‘efficient’ actually. We can admire someone’s style, we can want to do the same thing, but finally, it ‘s almost as if we couldn’t choose what comes out of us. I sometimes feel to create ‘in spite of me’…

For example, I often thought I didn’t have an established style and I am still looking for it. However, my relatives tell me ‘of course you have a distinctive style’! It is difficult to have hindsight about what you do. And I am aware that I am clearer about what others designers do.
It is a bit frustrating, because I am not a 100% satisfied by what I do but I think it also helps me to go forward. The grass is greener on the other side of the fence…

Photo : © Tony Trichanh

What is challenging about being a designer today?

Today or before…What could seems diffult (and attracting at the same time!) is to be alone, to have to manage everything by yourself by wearing multiple hats including the ones you would like to put aside.

With the internet et online shops, we can imagine that it is easy to start. And in a way, it is true! But, then, you need to find your place. It represents a lot of work, not only creation and production, but also a lot of communication! You need to distinguish yourself. Generally, there is always a person who likes your work, the challenge is to know who to approach and how! In this social networking era, we think it is easy but you need to know how to communicate and how to sell yourself.

I think there is an important concept of time in the craftwork. It can seem in contradiction or quirky with our times in which everything is always immediate and new. There is a tendency – which is not only a fad – to come back to slower consumption modes and it is our ally. Nevertheless, we need to find a way to communictae about it. Among other things, I think about putting forward the difference between handmade jewels – in a workshop, from scratch thanks to skills – assembled jewels, even if I don’t deny the creativity. However, the method of production is different and people don’t always see the difference. That’s why I was talking about value earlier, we need to know our work’s value.

Photo : © Tony Trichanh

What is the most rewarding thing about your work?

To see people wearing my jewels, especially unknown people!
To see people showing an interest to my jewels, during fairs. I always doubt about my work, it encourages me.

Photo : © Tony Trichanh

What are your projects?

To develop a ‘wedding’ section with special jewels and others that can fit. I want to show them in real situation thanks to photo shootings.

From the beginning, I also want to create an alternative line, based on appointments: the jewel of the month, of the week, of the quarter, of the season… according to a pace I can handle! A unique jewel or in a very limited series would be presented. Thanks to this project, I could use again skills I’ve learned at the School of Decorative Arts.

Which designer would you like to see on L’Envers du Décor?

I would have Peter Hopper but it is already done!

Otherwise, some designers who have the same kind of creative and handcrafted approach : Monochromatiques, Virginie Fantino, Lou d’Adélaïde, Laura Parisot, Alix Loca… or even Marion Delarue!