by Natasha Tauber While haute couture has, in recent years, moved toward displaying the textural qualities of embellishment through abstraction, Maison des Perles brooches, pins and necklaces are largely representational….
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Colorful geometric beadwork in an artistic update to the classic friendship bracelet
Call them jazzed-up friendship bracelets or modernist beadwork, Julie Rofman’s colorful cuffs reinvent hippie tropes—even if the Northern California studio overlooking the ocean where she makes them might suggest otherwise. With Andrew Bird or NPR streaming and a horse grazing next door, the Massachusetts native draws on her background as a painter to create intricately-patterned pieces with subtly shifting shades and finishes. This attention to detail, color and composition shows in her weaving technique, abstract shapes and vibrant colorways.
Weaving Japanese delica beads on a small loom to create each pixelated cuff, the process takes anywhere from two hours to two days. While Rofman begins with an initial palette in mind, she works intuitively. “I think this is what makes it most enjoyable, the decisions arise throughout the process,” she explains. “I like seeing how matte beads interact with sparkly beads and the interaction of bold and muted colors.”
Inspired by artists like Vassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee, the geometric motifs and bold hues look equally great piled on an arm or worn solo—from classic friendship widths to statement-making cuffs. The effect beautifully combines traditional Native American patterns and island style, with names of exotic locales like Oslo, Trinidad and Morocco.
See more of Julie Rofman’s handwoven beaded cuffs on her site or at the Standard Hotel’s West Coast shop in downtown L.A., where bracelets sell for $75-265.
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