its wonderman

I've seen a few bloggers post about the esteemed ITS awards that were published in the January 09 issue of i-D. However, none that i have seen have posted about the incredibly talented Valentim Manuel Estevao Quaresma, and accessory designer from Portugal, and winner of the accessory ITS, the only award for jewellers worldwide, which i think is a bit of a large accolade to withhold!

Valentims collection by his own name consists of recycled materials, which really appealed to me (not because i'm particually eco-friendly, but because i like a good old diy project). Dubbed as 'showing the perfect balance of agnostic features' by Isobel Simoes Marques, he mixes common items with his jewellery degree expertise to create items that look as if they were created by nature. Many of the body pieces make the wearer look as if they have been mythically enhanced, with spider-like and spine back pieces and ornaments that distort our ideal image of 'jewellery perfection' that labels like H.Samuels play around with.

Some of the items he's created are really beautiful, and while they aren't exactly 'ready to wear', they would definitely look incredible in editorial features. One of the collections that particularly caught my eye was the winter 06 collection (one of his collections prior to winning the ITS award). It consists of recycled head pieces and chain-mail type neck and arm pieces, that are very reminiscent of a medieval soldier's armour, non?

Perhaps not items to wear to work, but definitely something pretty to look at.






website

Made out of metal coins and medallions.

Comments back are coming- bear with me!