Designer Spotlight: Vicky Lew

Over the past year I have been highlighting special jewelry pieces in my Facebook group, Most Beautiful Jewelry. I’ve been amazed at the level of talent out there, often from up and coming jewelry designers and artists that haven’t yet received the attention that their work deserves.

Today I am pleased to announce the start of The Jewelry Designer’s Spotlight, in which I will regularly profile a talented artist and their work. Today we begin with a very special designer, Vicky Lew.

Vicky is originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but has made London her home. She graduated from Central Saint Martins with a First Class Honours in jewelry design.

Vicky’s approach to design is incredibly thoughtful and artistic, with an aesthetic that highlights Eastern design sensibilities and Western design concepts. She is experimental and versatile, using unconventional materials to create truly memorable pieces.

She has already been recognized with several awards from her peers and is clearly a name that we should all be keeping an eye on. Enjoy her stunning designs and learn more about Vicky in my interview below.

Flight Collection – Thalurania Colombia Earrings

Flight Collection – Yellow Crysolampis Mosquitus Ring

FLIGHT is a work of contrasts between organic, nature-inspired forms and the futuristic modernity of palladium. Pieces from this collection are made with Swarovski Gemstones, pavé-set in palladium and 18ct yellow gold. The aim of FLIGHT is to inspire a sense of curiosity within its audience, inviting them to take a second look not only at a beautiful piece of jewelry, but also the chance to witness a second glimpse of the concealed bird.

Plume Collection – Lobe Earrings

Plume Collection – Ring with 3 Pearls

PLUME is inspired by feathers, with each piece exhibiting harmony between the fluidity of flying and the structure of wings. Transience is another theme explored in the collection, particularly at the moment of take-off. Hand-crafted in sterling silver, freshwater pearls are featured in the collection to highlight the organic philosophy from which the pieces are derived.

Vicky Lew Interview

Diamond Geek: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Vicky Lew: I am a jewelry designer born in Malaysia but I have made London my home for 8 years now. Jewelry is my life but food is my passion.

Diamond Geek: When did you know you wanted to make jewelry?

Vicky Lew: I grew up surrounded by shoes – Dad’s a shoe designer and Mum’s very lucky! I initially planned to pursue a shoe design course but decided on jewelry instead (much to my Dad’s amusement), just because I wanted to work on different parts of the body rather than just on the feet.

Diamond Geek: What are your favorite materials to work with?

Vicky Lew: This is a difficult question, I appreciate all materials and their individual properties, and I enjoy combining different materials in my work, depending on context.

Diamond Geek: Very diplomatic, How about what material surprised you the most or made you feel the most proud to have successfully manipulated?

Vicky Lew: Aluminum is a surprisingly workable material for fine jewelry. It is lightweight and can be colored by anodising and I hope to use this material again in the future.

Diamond Geek: Where does your inspiration come from?

Vicky Lew: My collection Flight was inspired by a photo I took of a bird in London’s Hyde Park. It was spreading its wings before it flew away. It’s such a lovely transient moment and I like to preserve such moment in pieces of jewelry.

Diamond Geek: You are inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi sabi – what does it mean to you and what is your piece that most exemplifies this?

Vicky Lew: Wabi-sabi represents a view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. Transience is a recurring theme in my collections, particularly at birds in flight. My Thalurania Colombica brooch employed pave setting with gemstones to create an image of a bird, however it is only revealed to the audience from a certain angle. As a result, a fleeting moment is afforded to the audience, giving the gem-set birds movement as the wearer moves.

Diamond Geek: Who is your favorite jewelry designer or artist?

Vicky Lew: Gijs Bakker for his interpretation of jewelry, always unexpected and very clever.

Diamond Geek: Which is the piece of jewelry that you are most proud of?

Vicky Lew: My Thalurania Colombica brooch, because it interpreted my theme perfectly.

Diamond Geek: What can we expect to see from Vicky Lew in the future?

Vicky Lew: I hope to continue making fine jewellery that creates wonder, surprise and excitement.