The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023 - Issue 34

bitejewellery The Head of Design believes there's a perfect jewellery piece for everyone, and people feel good with Qudo's jewellery and show how they want to look. “The designs are timeless and allow the customer to wear and combine them.” She also stated being a jewellery designer allows you “to do what you love and work with all the wonderful materials, sparkle and be creative every day.” For Melanie, new trends, colours, and jewellery-making techniques are essential in her role. Qudo’s design signature is timeless designs, which Sophia describes as “fascinating, captivating and daring.” When Melanie started jewellery making, she worked with many natural materials like wood, pearls, and stones that she set with silver and made into pendants. “So my first piece of jewellery was a necklace with a pendant made of wood and silver.” She also finds inspiration in nature and architecture reflected in her designs. Sophia revealed she loves fashion and is fascinated by the trends, colours and materials. “I think our city’s fashion is always trendy with the perfect jewellery to wear to every occasion.” Fashion is also an essential part of Melanie’s work. “Jewellery can underline an outfit or even spice it up,” she explained. “That’s why I watch the trends on the catwalks very closely. In my private life, I like to keep things simple and wear eye-catching jewellery with it.” Both women said the time it takes to construct a jewellery piece depends on the product. “It can take a few hours but also weeks to make the piece absolutely perfect,” Sophia said. “Some designs come easily and quickly. If technical requirements are added, you can sometimes spend a day working on a concept,” Melanie added. They also agree a quality product needs high-qual- ity materials. It should be timeless, beautiful, well thought through and characterised by a clear, appealing design language. In Sophia’s experience, a jewellery designer has to be creative and unique. “Always on trend and understand the market and customer.” Melanie revealed, “I have already successfully participat- ed in several competitions with my designs.” She's also made couples happy with their dream wedding rings, bringing her joy. The designer looks at the creations of other great jewellery designers but is also inspired by the work of small goldsmiths and artisans. Although there isn’t a particular celebrity Melanie would like to design a jewellery piece for, she revealed it would be a great honour to have one of her designs seen on the red carpet. Sophia says it must always inspire how to wear and combine their wonderful pieces when preparing for a fashion shoot or show. “This is the perfect reason to show our jewellery in a different way that perhaps no one ever thought of. So I always start with trying new ways to combine, layer, mix and match.” Melanie creates the mood boards, prepares and cleans the jewellery and provides a clear briefing for the photo shoot. Qudo jewellery is available online and at retailers in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Greece, Norway and Sweden. www.qudo.de/en Images courtesy of We Are PR