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Well-traveled jewelry
By Zhang Yi |
May 8, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FRENCH jewelry designer Raphaelle Muller has been living in Shanghai for almost 16 years. As a child, she moved constantly to different countries with her parents because of her father's job. She calls herself a world citizen and has lived in Thailand, Mexico, Egypt, Russia and the Czech Republic before moving to China in 1995.
Such life experience is well reflected in the jewelry pieces she designs, which are bold, exciting and a mixture of various cultural elements.
Muller likes to work with exotic stones she sources from all over the world, such as pink quartz, black agate, jade, mother-of-pearl and tiger's eye. She only creates big, exaggerated pieces because she herself never wears small ones.
Muller has a showroom in her apartment. She also customizes jewelry pieces based on clients' preferences and needs. Remember to make an appointment before you go.
Q: When did you start designing jewelry?
A: I started in 2002. I remember I was completely down with my work and my life at that time. I was so depressed, had no money and stayed at home all the time. I made the first piece, a pearl necklace which you can also wear as a bracelet because it has so many curves. All my friends loved it and encouraged me to make more. That's how I started. As a matter of fact, designing jewelry was very helpful to me back then. It gave me hope and made me believe that there's still color in my heart.
Q: What is your design philosophy?
A: I don't really have one. I never studied design. However, born to a French father and an Italian mother, I think it is in my blood. I never step out of my apartment without a piece of jewelry. I remember I made for myself a pair of huge earrings when I was 14 or 15 when we lived in Moscow, Russia. But at that time I never thought one day it would become a business for me. However, nowadays I feel huge satisfaction when I see something I made looks really nice on a lady.
Q: Where do you find all the stones?
A: I have a stone supplier in Hong Kong, but I literally look for stones all over the world, especially those people don't usually see in China. Oh, and I think Chinese people have a special preference for pink quartz.
Q: What's your favorite jewelry item?
A: I always wear a ring. But I only wear big, bold ones. I don't like tiny things.
Such life experience is well reflected in the jewelry pieces she designs, which are bold, exciting and a mixture of various cultural elements.
Muller likes to work with exotic stones she sources from all over the world, such as pink quartz, black agate, jade, mother-of-pearl and tiger's eye. She only creates big, exaggerated pieces because she herself never wears small ones.
Muller has a showroom in her apartment. She also customizes jewelry pieces based on clients' preferences and needs. Remember to make an appointment before you go.
Q: When did you start designing jewelry?
A: I started in 2002. I remember I was completely down with my work and my life at that time. I was so depressed, had no money and stayed at home all the time. I made the first piece, a pearl necklace which you can also wear as a bracelet because it has so many curves. All my friends loved it and encouraged me to make more. That's how I started. As a matter of fact, designing jewelry was very helpful to me back then. It gave me hope and made me believe that there's still color in my heart.
Q: What is your design philosophy?
A: I don't really have one. I never studied design. However, born to a French father and an Italian mother, I think it is in my blood. I never step out of my apartment without a piece of jewelry. I remember I made for myself a pair of huge earrings when I was 14 or 15 when we lived in Moscow, Russia. But at that time I never thought one day it would become a business for me. However, nowadays I feel huge satisfaction when I see something I made looks really nice on a lady.
Q: Where do you find all the stones?
A: I have a stone supplier in Hong Kong, but I literally look for stones all over the world, especially those people don't usually see in China. Oh, and I think Chinese people have a special preference for pink quartz.
Q: What's your favorite jewelry item?
A: I always wear a ring. But I only wear big, bold ones. I don't like tiny things.
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