《6 Minutes @ Pieter Louis Erasmus》

ST•ERASMUS, a distinctive luxury jewellery from South African accessories design cultivated a style which combines traditional techniques with contemporary forms and materials. Steeped in cross cultural inspiration from the textures of the African landscape, edgy London, fashionable & stylish Paris and exotic Indian artisans craftsmanship inheritance from their parents and grandparents before them. It was most famously worn by the First Lady of United States – Michelle Obama, British Singer – Alexandra Burke and Bollywood Actor - Priyanka Chopra, just to name a few. Creative Head, Pieter Louis  Erasmus talks to mylifestylenews the brand's heritage and craftsmanship as well as the AW2012 Marie Antoinette's Collection during his visit in Hong Kong's Harvey Nichols store......  

 

I was born and raised in Pretoria, in South Africa and now splitting time between my homes in London, Paris and India. I studied fine arts and painting before moving to London where I started working for Erickson Beamon – one of the leading costume jewellery houses of the Fashion industry . I learnt a lot from the Erickson Beamon and still very much now have the inspiration from the costume jewellery house.

Working with the reknown fashion house like Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli, Dries Van Noten, Matthew Williamson was rather another kind of experience to show case my jewellery. It takes a lot of compromise and understanding from each other's heritage background in order to create the piece that matches the beautiful couture and garments.

That led me to my next venture, working on the design and production for the accessories line for Agent Provocateur before I launched my own label ST Erasmus in 2002's London Fashion Week.

ST•ERASMUS jewellery design uses traditional techniques with contemporary forms and materials to cultivate a style which combines a cross cultural inspiration from the textures of the African landscape, edgy London, fashionable & stylish Paris and exotic Indian craftsmanship that mirrors the multi cultural world we all live in.

Each piece from our collection is handcrafted in India and requires up to 14 hours of skilled work by Indian artisans who delicately applies the traditional Zari thread crochet technique onto each elements.

The jewellery design has a recognisable three-dimensional statement style with a sophisticated feminine edge. Using traditional artisan production techniques and signature Zari thread crochet (a fine metallic gold/silver wire thread usually woven into Indian clothing), Swarovski crystal and beading to construct intricately layered bib-style necklaces, long length necklaces, cocktail rings, cuffs, brooches and earrings.

The business has been growing for the past four years. We are in partnership with Dipankar Mukherjee who is our the Business Head, we have a group of local artisans who work meticulously in the creation of these intricate designs, in our studio in New Delhi, India.

Our jewellery is sumptuous in texture and screams of refined modern opulence. It is experimental yet the ultimate wearable jewellery brand for the 21st century.

The AW2012 collection was inspired by Marie Antoinette. It was all started by Antonia Fraser’s book “Marie Antoinette The Journey”, it tells of a different Marie Antoinette, the eighteenth century French Queen, a woman who was a mother, modern and stylish, yet restrained, a woman who was not frivolous, but enjoyed the simple luxury of being the Queen of France.

This collection's influential pieces that decorates and reawaken the desire to dress for oneself. Each piece is restrained yet opulent and never understated. There is a change in consciousness and a need for timeless luxury, that means every piece is a cherished treasure, exquisite keep sake, or dare we say it, a decadent hand me down.

High end jewellery, material is paramount and as for custom jewellery, design is paramount.

People buy jewellery for many reasons, it can be for the sake of their collection and make the money worth. Some even buy it to flaunt and to get good press especially those pieces worn by celebrities.

 

 

 

I am not a person that who likes to work with statics, I am very much look up to Erickson Beamon's brand development. What's there to achieve after all? I would rather be surrounded with beautiful things and live a beautiful life.

My favorite possession is a portrait that I pick up from the flea market.

My ideal way of living lifestyle is being able to use the money to buy books and interesting art. I like to collect antique art and lately I was into the Tibetans' craft masks. Life is still beautiful.

   

mylifestylenews @ Pieter Louis Erasmus

*Special Thanks to Harvey Nichols @ interview arrangement.