Vittoria d’Aste-Surcouf * Bijoux is synonymous with luxurious design, exquisite craftsmanship and noticeable charm. Established in 2009 and based in San Francisco, California, the fine jewelry line is quickly developing collector appeal. Each piece is hand-made by Vittoria who relies upon her training in art history, attention to detail, as well as her artistic eye to create each piece that will be most flattering for her client.
Vittoria’s early training was in art history and she spent 6 years working at various galleries and art publications in New York City. At this time, she received an M.A. in Modern Art History from Christie’s Education (an affiliate of Christie’s Auction House). Three years ago, she began pursuing her passion for jewelry design and started her training with a master jeweler from Athens, Greece.
Vittoria d’Aste-Surcouf * Bijoux is a luxury brand that is bold, imaginative and created with all the bells and whistles fitting the glamorous trendsetter.
What Kind Of Materials Are You Using?
Vittoria d’Aste-Surcouf Jewelry is made from specially alloyed gold in either 14 or 18K, sterling silver with oxidized finishing and platinum for bridal jewelry. Semi- and precious gemstones such as: topaz, tourmaline, fluorite, ruby, diamonds and many more.
What Got You Started Jewelry Crafting?
Well, just looking back at my childhood games of dress-up it was rather obvious that I would eventually design jewelry. As a little girl I had a varied collection of sparkling sequins which, in my overactive and quite convincing imagination, would magically morph into the most rare gemstones a 7 year-old had seen. I would adorn myself with these transformed sequins and wear them as rings and necklaces. As an adult, my imagination was still filled with sparkling gemstones and my hands longed to create the designs swirling in my head. I took a metalworking class at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and I was completely addicted to the manipulation of metal. Upon returning to San Francisco, I became quite serious about my career in designing and crafting jewelry and began training privately with a master jeweler from Athens, Greece. Through these lessons I developed a commitment to European craftsmanship and aesthetic which I had always greatly admired.
How and/or Where Do You Sell Your Jewelry?
My jewelry is sold primarily through my studio in downtown San Francisco (Union Square), through various jewelry showings and online through my website www.vasbijoux.com. Please contact me if you are interested in viewing/purchasing or discussing a custom-design piece at info@vdastesurcouf.com.
What Is Your Source of Inspiration?
My inspiration is vast and drawn from many different social and artistic influences. I have lived in and traveled to various parts of the Middle East and Europe. Growing up in these contrasting worlds left a lasting impression on me culturally, artistically and socially. My goal as a designer is to create jewelry with an aesthetic that hints of traditional Eastern and Western sensibilities combining them with the comfort and accessibility of the contemporary world. I rely heavily on my Fine Art background to accomplish this by pulling ideas from symbolic art from the ancient world as well as discovering inspirations for new color combinations from the saturated paintings of the Italian Old Masters. Each piece I design has a story which comes from a combination of influences and a uniqueness making each design one-of-a- kind.
Why Handmade Jewelry?
There is simply nothing like it. Hand-made jewelry is a wearable form of organic sculpture whose basic materials also spring from the earth—raw and uncultivated. It is up to the designer to take these gifts of precious metal and gemstones and cultivate them into works of art. Similar to a beautiful painting one sees the traces of the “hand of the artist” in hand-made jewelry and that energy passes to the person wearing the piece.
Find me on:
www.vasbijoux.com
Featured Jewelry Artist: The Jewelry Observer Interviews Vittoria d’Aste Surcouf Copyright © 2011 The Jewelry Observer All Rights Reserved.
Related posts:
