JENNIE KWON: JEWELRY THAT SINGS

JENNIE KWON: jewelry that sings

 

There's something about the delicate, intricate designs of Jennie Kwon that sing.  And this makes sense, perhaps, when you learn she was once a classical concert violinist. Her soft, sweet, exceptional designs lure you into a world of luxury, that allows you to make tiny statements of joy through her jewelry.

The Jewelry Edit had the opportunity to talk to Kwon about what inspires her.

How did you come up with the concept for your jewelry line? 

I founded the company in my mid 30s, while on a break from the law and after the birth of my twins which really put my priorities into perspective.  There wasn't much dainty jewelry out there at the time and the dainty jewelry out there were designed for a younger demographic.  I came from a non jewelry background, wasn't aware of other designers, stores, trends, so I designed what I, as a woman in my mid 30s, wanted to wear.

Where do you look for inspiration when designing pieces? 

Sometimes I derive inspiration from the stones I use and want to feature them in the purest way possible, other times, my pieces are inspired by things I find beautiful and meaningful.  I myself am inspired by balance, nature, architecture, the spirit of children, and people.

What’s your favorite type of pieces to design and material to wear/work with?

Rings and of course in gold and diamonds!

 

 

How would you describe your style? 

Clean and practical.  The opposite of fussy.

Who is your biggest style influence? 

Sofia Coppola

How has your heritage inspired your jewelry?

Just like all sources of inspiration, i can't say any specific element of my heritage has directly influenced my pieces.  But my general sense of aesthetic, what I'm drawn to visually, what i'm inspired by is shaped by all of my life experiences, my genetics, and everything that has shaped me as a human being.  My heritage is a huge part of my identity and life experiences.  Everything I see and experience, I do through the lens of being Korean American.  The two are intertwined.

It's been extremely difficult watching everything go down over the past year or so, and escalating dramatically over the past few months.  It's been difficult having uncomfortable conversations with my elderly parents to stay vigilant of their surroundings and to step down should they get into any sort of confrontation.  It's been difficult having to have conversations with my children as to what's going on around us.  However ugliness needs to surface for us to deal with it.  Until now, Asian Americans, as a community, have remained silent, but this is our time to speak out and bring to light what's been going on for centuries.  


What was the first piece of jewelry you remember buying for yourself?  

A pair of huge triangle dangle earrings back in the 80s from a store in the mall called Contempo Casuals


What’s the most special piece of jewelry you own? What’s the story 
behind it?

My mother's old, quirky white gold wedding band that has hers and my dad's wedding date engraved in it.  

What’s one piece of jewelry you wear often, that you can’t live without?  

My wedding ring!  

How many pieces of jewelry do you usually wear at any given time? What
are they?  

Around 6 pieces.  3 necklaces and 3 rings.

 

 

Why do you think it’s important for people to wear/own jewelry? 

Jewelry is completely optional in its nature, yet you look around and you'll notice that 99.9% of women are wearing at least one piece of jewelry.  Jewelry holds meaning and significance that's different for each person.  As diminutive as a piece is, it reminds someone of a special milestone in their life, a special person or simply makes someone feel unique and beautiful.

What’s something people should keep in mind when shopping for jewelry?  Find something beautiful that uniquely resonates with them!

What draws customers in to purchase jewelry from your collection? 

A unique design, a personal touch, all while remaining accessible and wearable on a daily basis.