Hasta La Ideas

METRIQ Brooches is a series of brass brooches and water-cut in nine different designs. Simple and sophisticated

The one-man machine behind beautifully antiqued hand-woven accessories

Seattle-based Vim Beget makes jewelry and accessories with a vaguely antique aesthetic, blurring the barrier between past and present. Each piece of burnished silver is finished with rusted steel, affording it its own unique look and feel—the upshot of hours spent in the hands of sole designer Billy Bartels.

Deeply rooted in the process, Bartels believes a hands-on approach makes the the end result worthwhile, and cuts each link separately before hand weaving them into a chain for bracelets and necklaces. “It’s a lengthy process but something that can’t be matched by a machine,” he admits.

Materials are central to the process, and the designer takes a thoughtful approach to selecting the right combination. “The metals we use are very specific to the function as well as the aesthetic,” says Bartels. “We use German silver not only because it’s stronger and holds the weave better, but because the weave we do is a dated art and German silver is closest to the type of metal used traditionally when it was made hundreds and even thousands of years ago.”

Similarly, the rings are first hand-carved from wax then cast in sterling silver. From there the finishing process involves sanding, forming, blackening and polishing to give the metal a distinct texture. Bartels has produced spectacular custom pieces as well, like the pair of nesting rings he recently cast in Shibuichi, an ancient Japanese alloy of fine silver and copper originally used for decorative elements on Katana swords.

In addition to their sterling silver rings and handwoven bracelets, Vim Beget also makes a number of fine leather goods crafted with the same attention to detail. With prices ranging between $95 and $295, Vim Beget is sold online as well as at a number of boutiques in the U.S. For a deeper look at the process behind the brand and the jewelry check out the Vim Beget blog.

Organic shapes of sterling silver by a Barcelona-based designer

The delicate sterling silver pieces by Barcelona-based jewelry designer Nathalie Jaggi, from slender leaves and flower petals to tiny spherical beads and geometric striped plates, find inspiration from a surprising and far-flung range of sources across several continents. “I have always collected, and been smitten by, vintage objects,” says Jaggi. “My house and studio are filled with unusual items…I find inspiration in their details, using the patterns and shapes to reinvent them into jewelry pieces.” For her line, Dasshen Jewelry, whose name is meant to signify a spirited sense of style, Jaggi has gradually expanded her influence, exhibiting at street fairs throughout Europe.

In her quest to keep up “that playful touch,” Daggi combines her innate sense of whimsy with a talent for translating such objects as old tractors strewn among the green hills of upstate New York, and mid-century heaters found at junk shops in Barcelona’s Old Quarter. Dasshen’s understated feminine character lies in its impeccable detail, like the unique necklace clasps designed to highlight the distinct silhouette of a woman’s neckline.

Men should take note: Jaggi tells us she’s got a line for you coming soon. The pieces are available through Dasshen’s online store, with prices ranging between €26-€97

Modern design and age-old craftsmanship run seamlessly together in the brand’s latest line of watches

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Known by many to be the premier retailer of timepieces in the world, Tourneau‘s legacy in the world of horology is as reliable as the finest Swiss-made watch. From this strong foundation as a credible and storied brand emerges a line of watches under the Tourneau name that draws from the company’s heritage and history while exploring the simplicity and power of modern design.

While the watch market has been revitalized by an increased interest in quality timepieces, thanks in part to the exponential growth of the menswear industry, there remains a lack of forward-thinking tempered by an appropriate dose of restraint in the field of watch design. Many brands are happy to recycle their archives repeatedly, while others obsess with pushing the boundaries of horological construction. Tourneau’s line occupies a perfect middle-ground that captures the need for sophistication without talking down to or intimidating customers.

“As we see our retail concept evolving into a fun and contemporary experience we want a collection that can represent this and that can convey these values to our customers,” says Gianluca Maina, Tourneau’s brand director. The watches of the TNY Series comprise a range of price points, and the higher-end models stand up to much more expensive brands in terms of quality and construction. Cases, for instance, are made from a unique seamless process and elements are bonded with distinct lugs.

The goal, Maina says, was to ensure that there was a blend of modernity and boldness in each piece. Many of the timepieces feature a mix of textures, and the interplay between brushed and polished metals is a subtle detail that will delight both the wearer and keen observers. One of the most stunning watches features a mix of rose gold and steel, embodying perfectly the collection’s ability to expertly tread the line between sophistication and accessibility. Gianluca says, “At Tourneau, we are driven by passion for watchmaking. We intentionally created a collection that combines the modern and functional with the most traditional art of watchmaking.”

Design duo brings elegance and responsibility to etched jewelry

Jewelry and accessories designer Vivienne Ridley and print designer Susannah Dowse teamed up on Ridley and Dowse and in just three years have collaborated with the likes of Topman, Boxfresh, Harrods, Ted Baker and the enigmatic Wayne Hemingway. The design duo has made a deliberate effort to keep operations in the U.K. under an unwavering commitment to low-impact production and social consciousness. Dowse explains, “We’re very concerned with creating beautiful things with as little cost to human rights and the environment as possible.”

Recently, the designers have taken an industrial approach to their jewelry with a new line of etched pieces in steel and brass—hard metals that allow for sharper detail than something more malleable. Besides jewelry, the young brand’s repertoire encompasses paper goods, home and holiday decorations and more. The duo also recently styled a new room at the Pelirocco Hotel in Brighton, England, a self-professed “saucy stopover” for which Ridley and Douse applied varied skills to a grander canvas.

As the designers continues to flex their creative muscle into new design categories—their website indicates handbags are in the works—we can only anticipate more thrilling collaborations and crossover projects to come. Their current stock of etched accessories is available through the Ridley and Dowse e-shop.