Every quarter we organise a prize draw among our Friends of Jewelab
We have just received a stunning 'all black' introductory collection from a Brazilian designer Carla Gallas
South African born jewellery designer Duncan Stevens, resides between London and South Africa.
Having learnt beading from the african women working on his family's estate, he began to teach himself metal-smithing and sought artisans in the UK to help further his education. His jewellery design evolved into commissions and then the design and manufacture of jewellery for All Saints Retail Ltd, a hip fashion forward ‘High Street Boutique’ in the UK.
His work has been featured in Clash Magazine, the Select Model Management Book for 2005, and also been used in promotional campaigns for Return to New York, Toni & Guy and Rushes, and used for promo-materials for bands such as Bananarama and Soho Dolls.
His passion is one-off commissions for private clients, for whom he creates signature pieces. Duncan's work has been inspired by vintage pieces and a childhood spent in Africa; his work reflects this by a strong historical narrative and powerful ethnic and religious overtones. Jewellery for him has always been about creating sculptural objects that will enhance and cling to the human form and that create a dialogue not only with the owner, but with the world around the piece.
If you buy any of Duncan's designs, you will be glad to learn that Duncan is donating 15% of his profits to a charitable cause - Designers Against AIDS project in Belgium