By definition, the word ‘panache’ means ‘ornamental plumage on a helmet’ and harks back to the Middle Ages. Seoul-based designer Cha Sunyoung felt it was a fitting moniker for her fine jewellery label, P by Panache, which she launched after graduating from London’s Central Saint Martins in 2008. She felt that the duality between the sturdy, masculine surface of the helmet and the delicate romance of decorative feathers exemplified her aesthetic. ‘My jewellery might be crafted from metal, but it possesses a beautiful softness. I love that combination of contrasting elements,’ she says.
For her autumn/winter 2017 collection, Cha drew inspiration from the curvature of the human body. ‘I found it fascinating to draw lines in the negative spaces of the body, such as the inner ear,’ she reveals. ‘Those lines then naturally became three dimensional and structural,’ she adds. Cha riffs on the theme throughout, offering undulating double and triple hoop earrings, barely-there chokers and exquisite ear cuffs that resemble gilded doodles. Elsewhere, she employs a playful spectrum of coloured gemstones and diamonds to enliven sculptural rings and extended studs that bridge the ear lobe in a dazzling linear formation.
Her personal highlight, however, is a relatively subtle pair of interlinking silver hoops. ‘The ear is located in between the two circles, but they still communicate with each other,’ she notes. ‘They create a beautiful shadow on the neckline when worn.’ She also considers her sleek ‘Curve Bracelets’, crafted in rose and yellow gold to be a key style. ‘They sit perfectly – ever so slightly raised – on the back of the hand, even when you move,’ she adds. Despite her modern outlook and technical ingenuity, each piece retains a timeless quality, which she deems highly important. ‘Jewellery is an emotional expression, passed down through generations,’ she explains. ‘I’ve realised that we never actually posses it, we just participate in its time – and that’s a wonderful thing.’
‘Curve’ bangles in rose gold and rhodium plated brass, with Swarovski crystals
‘Orbit’ earrings in rose gold plated brass, with silver post and Swarovski crystals
‘Curve’ bangles in rose gold and rhodium plated brass, with Swarovski crystals
‘Cupid’s Arrow’ long double earring in rose gold plated brass with sterling silver post and Swarovski crystals
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the P by Panache website
-
The return of the bullhead: the watch design that refuses to conformLittle known outside of watch circles, but enthusiastically collected within them, bullhead watches have always been divisive. Identified by the crown at 12 o’clock, it made design sense – no digging into the wrist, allowing easier function as a stopwatch - but remains a speciality. But now, the bullhead is back
-
Tour Peridot, Hong Kong’s hypnotic new barLocated on the 38th floor of The Henderson, Studio Paolo Ferrari’s latest project is a study in ‘light, refraction, and intimacy’
-
Lighting designer Andi Watson on creating Mitski’s sculptural stage for 'The Land'In Mitski’s live show and new concert film, a single beam of light becomes her dance partner. Lighting designer Andi Watson discusses turning shadow, movement and restraint into the architecture of feeling
-
Art takes London: Tiffany & Co, Damien Hirst and artists take over Selfridges' windowsFour British contemporary artists celebrate Tiffany & Co's pioneering history with a series of storied window displays
-
All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hitWhat started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to knowThese independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a momentWe've been deep-diving into boutiques around the world to find the very best calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form. It seems jewellers have been busy rethinking pearls, with contemporary (and often affordable) results
-
Eternity rings for the modern coupleEternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
-
CryptoPunks come to life on Tiffany & Co pendantsTiffany & Co has partnered with blockchain infrastructure company Chain to create custom pendants and NFTiffs
-
Order of the day: Pomellato’s high jewellery takes us from dawn to duskPomellato’s new high jewellery collection, La Gioia, tells the story of a day in precious stones
-
Anklets welded onto the body make romantic and enduring jewellery tokensAtelier VM’s ‘L’Essenziale’ jewellery collection now includes slender gold anklets
