As summer approaches and I continue to plan for my new collection, i wanted to go back and chat about the art and design from my previous Phase 5: Splice collection. I have been enjoying detailing my thoughts and ideas about each past collection on the blog, and love connecting with you all about the concepts!
As you all know, i really try to step out of my usual box when conceptualizing each collection. When thinking about the direction for the SPLICE collection, I had just come off of designing and creating the world around the Phase 4: PANGEA collection. The PANGEA collection featured new organic shapes that I had not utilized before, with lots of round edgeys and bubbly shapes. For SPLICE I wanted to stay on that organic vibe, but reference back to my more sinister design roots of sharper edges and pointier shapes. Every collection I create is somehow referential to what has come before it, even if it is sort of flipping the previous concept on its head.
When contemplating the organic route with sharp edges, naturally more ' bone like' and bodily design came to mind for me. With jewelry, I have always loved the idea that accessories almost become one with a persons body, fusing with their identity to showcase to the world who they are. I played with this concept by design jewelry that referenced the body and the inner workings of our anatomy, to quite literally display whats inside of us on the outside.
One of my favorite Austin James Smith shoots to date was working with Aquaria and esteemed makeup artist Mike Fontaine shot by Brian McCormikka. We turned Aquaria in 'Aquaria the brain' making her outside look like the inner workings of the body. I really love the magic we were able to create with this shoot, and really feel like it conveyed the concept of this collection perfectly!
As my next summer collection approaches, I am very excited to cover new conceptual and visual territories while paying homage to the languages of previous collections for new exciting summertime accessories..
As my next summer collection approaches, I am very excited to cover new conceptual and visual territories while paying homage to the languages of previous collections for new exciting summertime accessories.
-AJS