Page 131 - The Bite Magazine - Spring Summer 2013
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rings, brooches, cufflinks, bracelets and
earrings are all statement-worthy but,
despite their contemporary look, these
pieces are sure to serve as traditional
keepsakes that can be worn time and
time again. This effortless yet dramatic
tone is concurrent in fashion shoots in
which her jewellery features; Rachel says
“Sometimes a shoot can be out of your
control, but you just have to get your
brand identity across the best you can. I
keep images of how I would like things to
be styled and what kind of atmosphere I
want to create.”
From simply browsing her website, the
avant-garde and stylish tone consumes
you; you enter into a world where
glamour plays second fiddle to
sophistication.
The
understated
monochrome colour scheme is what
would be expected from a jewellery
designer who lets her work do all the
talking. “I prefer to create a piece of
jewellery rather than design it” claims
Rachel. Although she enjoys playing
around with ideas on paper, she prefers
practical, hands-on-activity, on the
bench when she is physically making
the jewellery, since it is “easier to mess
around with the shapes and the bench
and see what happens organically.” This
free-spirited way of designing has enabled
Rachel to craft exquisitely wearable
pieces that both adhere to and break the
norm – juxtaposition hard to achieve. For
example, her infusion of dull platinum
silver with traditional ball pearls, is not a
typical combination, yet it works; taking
a traditional pendant chain and putting
a sterling silver cube as the centre piece,
is not a typical combination, yet it works;
and taking a simple sterling silver band
and putting a large peridot stone on it, is
not at all a typical combination, but yet
again, it works.
Having already being named the winner
of two ‘Future Maker’ awards from the
Crafts Council of Ireland, where she was
selected as one of ten jewellery makers
enlisted to go to Inhorgenta (“one of the
biggest jewellery trade fairs in Europe”),
Rachel has spanned her success to
impressive lengths in a short space of time. She
has already branched out to making “my own
wedding band in platinum and diamonds” and
debuted on Irish television.When asked about
her future plans, Rachel shows no indication
of slowing down the tempo: “I would like to
secure more European stockists in the near
future, have a wider range of collections that
include some high end pieces using platinum
and diamonds and, in the long term, continue
to build a sustainable business and keep the
momentum going.”
With an edgy collection that appeals to all,
Rachel Swan is the Irish Goldsmith to watch
this year.
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