Kiln Wear

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(From i-D Pre-Spring 2010, Photographer: Norbert Schoerner, Styling: Charlotte Stockdale)

>> I'm developing a strange fixation on accessories made out of porcelain.  I have these i-D images above saved on my desktop and every so often I'll linger over just to marvel at the mere idea of a porcelain collar adding physical weight to the shoulders.  The obvious allusion to the saying about lifting weight off shoulders is just a little bit too tempting not to buy into.  I also think my fascination has something to do with the breakable quality of the material porcelain, which makes me think of all of the precious plates and figurines that I accidentally knocked over causing my mum exasperated grief.  I blame my chubby little arms and my lack of co-ordination. 

Therefore, in a way I'm perhaps making up for those misdemeanours by highlighting porcelain accessories designers such as Uncommon Matters (seen above) who create pieces that I'd love to take good care of.  I'd dust and wipe them with a j-cloth and also wear them with care.  I can prove that my chubby arms don't destroy everything. 

Another porcelain discovery came to me when I was in Hong Kong at the store Kapok.  They had teamed up with the jewellery specialist store Chariots on Fire, which used to have a physical store in San Francisco and now operates solely online, to create an exhibition of their wares.  I'm not sure why I had never caught onto their well-selected store before but from Chariots on Fire, I unearthed Japanese designer On Za Line.  Duo Ai and Kiyomi create hand-made ceramic pieces that are limited because casting off a mould wears it down and so their collections are purposely irregular and project-based.   This is a collation of a few of their collections, some of which Chariots on Fire still stocks.  On Za Line's work isn't limited ot jewellery and for them, it is the resulting object and its permanent meaningful context that is more important than anything as transient as trends.  Their first collection's title and statement still resonates even if the resulting pieces aren't available anymore –

"She needs a treasure" – We strongly believe that women today are in search of their unique, personal treasures while living amongst the materialistic overflow. We dedicate their works to her, who needs a treasure. 

On Za Line

14 comments

  8. I adore the ring with grass though I’d be afraid of whacking my hand against something and shattering it. Because that is totally something I would do.

  10. Had a porcelain brooch (of the Virgin Mary). It broke within a week, her head fell off. So these things look lovely to me, but I’ll just add them to the list of things I can’t wear… 🙁

  14. I love the idea of literally creating something precious through porcelain. I’m the first to admit that I generally don’t take the best care of the majority of my clothes and believe that it makes it look better when it is worn. With these porcelain jewels one must acknowledge them whilst being worn. I’m sure Susie you know what I mean that when you wear something after awhile you don’t notice just how good it is, yet if I had one of these I’d have to pay attention to it for fear of shattering it. Very clever.

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