The Jewelry Designer That Will Make You Fall In Love

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

We interviewed jewelry designer Pili Restrepo, a Colombian who is succeeding with her modern and sophisticated pieces but with a thug touch and, above all, with her Pili Chili earrings that have invaded Instagram. Don't miss its story.

You were born in Colombia and raised in Spain. How do you think that has influenced you as an artist and designer?

The contribution that Spain generated for me was monumental. Not only in the field of design but also on a personal level. On the one hand, it opened the doors to a culture full of art and unique and very special architecture: the colors and shapes of Gaudí, the Gothic mansions and cathedral, the modern architecture of Barcelona, such as Frank Gehry's whale or the Olympic tower of Calatrava, they gave me a lot of inspiration. The 1990s in Colombia were difficult: insecurity, drug trafficking, bombs! We lived in constant alert mode and mobility was strictly necessary. Barcelona gave me freedom to explore, to feel, to be. It was there that I learned to watch over myself, to develop my instincts and my aesthetics.

How were your first steps in the world of design?

It all started when I was little when I saw my mom turn very sober and classic outfits into big pieces simply because of the jewelry she wore. They were super unique and also were not a mere accompaniment, they were really accessories with a voice of their own. I remember always wanting to put them on and wear them the way she did. To this day I have them in mind and there was something of each of them that was impregnated in me.

How did you decide to create your own brand?

After living and studying for two years in Italy and having the fortune to train with the best artisans in the world on techniques such as pavee or watercolor, I received an offer to work for one of David Yurman's factories in Manhattan. One of my greatest wishes had been to live there, so when I had the chance, don't hesitate for a second! For 6 years I worked with amazing and super talented people. It has always seemed to me that it is essential to know how each of the areas of the industry works, from manufacturing made in China for super established brands that handle giant volumes, to niche designers who create mini works of art and their clients are numbered, And it was here in New York that I had the opportunity to get to know all these facets of the jewelry, stone and metal market. During the first years I tried to learn what I could before starting the line.

What are your main sources of inspiration?

Ballet, architecture and my dreams.

What are your favorite materials and where do you get them?

Wax is without a doubt one of my favorite materials. [Also] Stones like larimar, which are difficult to get, but have dimensions of colors that you feel you can see the whole world through them are also my favorites.

What is the story behind your latest collection?

My latest collection is titled Circe and explores the meaning of repetition and the search for happiness that exists behind the mundane, from day to day.