“Biophilia” (or the love of nature) is the buzzword in the world of design, from architecture right through to fashion and jewelry design. The events of 2020 forced human beings to reassess their relationship to the Great Outdoors and to fully comprehend the many physical and mental health benefits that nature brings. Did you know that you can bring your stress levels down significantly by simply remaining in a green place like a park for just 10 minutes? Nature bathes our senses in beauty—above all our sense of sight, as we behold the beautiful animals, plants, and flowers that have provided inspiration to the world’s top jewelry designers since time immemorial. Nature inspired creatives around the globe, from photographers to designers. Nature is also a constant source of inspiration for DSCENE as well as our contributors, such as the stunning Gus & Lo story captured in the great outdoors for our Love Issue.
How is nature inspiring the jewelry industry sector today and how is sustainability a big part of nature-focused design? Read on in investigation by DSCENE magazine’s Fashion Editors:
The Link Between Sustainability and Nature in Design
Sustainability is a major force in fashion and jewelry design at the moment, with many designers turning to sustainable manufacturing processes and materials to give rise to innovative designs with a far lower carbon footprint than previous collections. As Tim Ingle of jewelry company Ingle & Rhode says, “Jewellery designers are constantly innovating in order to try and stand out, so I’m not sure that the current climate is any different to normal in that regard! Innovation takes many forms, from the use of unusual materials, to use of distinctive shapes, forms or colours to create a new and unique aesthetic. Personally, I have always been drawn to designers who are inspired by nature, which is of course a critical issue in the current climate.” Just a few innovations in this respect include the use of lab-grown diamonds instead of naturally mined ones, the incorporation of pre-loved gemstones into new designs, and the reliance on recycled metal, plastic, wood, and even fabric.
Breathing Eternal Life into Nature
Some designers are creating pieces made with natural elements such as leaves, flowers, and tree bark. Take the brand Floios, which creates its pieces by dipping botanicals into recycled silver so that wearers can take home the beauty of a “real” piece of nature. The silver itself has an interesting source—digital waste, old X-ray photos, and other original sources. Each piece comes with an explanation regarding where the natural component was picked, so you can choose an item that is somehow related to a place that has been meaningful for you in your travels or in your imagination.
The Visual Beauty of Nature Makes its Way into Design
The natural world is bustling with beautiful colors and structures. Think the delicate transition from green to violet in a succulent, the blend of yellow- and lilac-hued flowers in a field, or the intensity and shape of the sun and moon as they transform throughout the day and month, respectively. These and other forms continue to captivate some of the world’s top designers. Van Cleef & Arpels and Robert Coin, for instance, are fascinated by the world of four-leaf clovers and flowers, respectively. Tiffany uses color in the form of breath-taking aquamarines, yellow beryls, and vivid rubellies, obtaining its swatches from electric life underwater as well as the sunrises and winged creatures that inhabit the sky—including birds and butterflies. Indeed, butterflies are usually present in the high-end collections of the world’s best brands owing to their deep symbolism, which includes transformation, fertility, and freedom.
The biophilic design craze has inhabited the world of jewelry designs as much as it has that of fashion, architecture, and interior design. One of the key ways in which it is making its mark is through sustainability. Many brands are embracing sustainable manufacturing processes and relying on recycled and vintage materials. Finally, the industry is inspiring itself by the ability of natural forms to capture beauty, inspire peace, and make people feel more connected to the Great Outdoors.
All images from by photographer Pablo Rodrigo starring Kayla Hansen photographed for DSCENE Beauty – discover the complete story.
