Miami-based ceramicist Tatiana Cardona and NYC-based jeweller Konstantinos I. Leoussis present a surrealist jewellery line that’s sure to be on everyone’s lips!
Miami-based ceramicist Tatiana Cardona and New York-based jeweller and antiques dealer Konstantinos I. Leoussis have collaborated on a collection of vermeil jewellery, Female Alchemy. Imbued with feminine spirit, the capsule line features a provocative theme — lips; and the jewels are made in sterling silver with an 18-karat gold plating.
But why lips? “Lips are a powerful symbol. The image of red lips conjures many things — confidence, sensuality, freedom of speech, playfulness, love, or a kiss. The mouth is where words, thoughts and ideas are expressed, and its subtle movements can unlock an array of emotion,” say the duo, celebrating the art of lips through wearable jewels.
The collection features seven distinct designs that embrace “feminine energy.”
“The collaboration came about when I reached out to Tatiana. At the height of the pandemic, I came across her business profile on Instagram and instantly fell in love with her ceramics. They are all special and typically sell out at every launch within 90 seconds. Later in 2020, I reached out with the idea of creating a jewellery line that allowed something unusual and handmade to be produced again and again for those unable to purchase one of Tatiana’s wears. Because I am in NYC and she is in Miami, we relied on Zoom calls and mobile chats to converse back and forth to bring this collection to life. It is very important to me as it showcases a blend of both of our aesthetics, artistic vision, and skills,” says Konstantinos.
The Vampira necklace, Acid Love necklace, lip cuff, are other offerings from the collection. “Powerful, sensual and articulate, each piece in the Female Alchemy jewellery capsule collection is a talisman of feminine spirit.”
Each piece can be made upon order in either sterling silver or 18-karat gold plating. The lip ring is available in sizes 4 through 10, featuring an open mouth with two front teeth for an “unapologetically fun” design.
The collaboration for Tatiana was important as it allowed her to offer an alternative way for people to access and enjoy her art. This new way for her needed to be sustainable and handmade.
“Konstantinos has done an amazing job at taking my designs and creating them into statement jewellery pieces. It feels amazing when I see people wearing our collab pieces. I am happy that people who may not have had the opportunity to purchase a ceramic art piece from me can get a piece from our jewellery collection and carry my art with them everywhere they go,” adds Tatiana.