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Born in Shanghai, she graduated in 2012 the MA in Fashion Artefact at London College of Fashion. Her graduation collection in called Joinery in Jewels, winning with one of her pieces the Swarovski Elements Jewellery Award.: “The whole process was a challenge – it was hugely important to me to find a new way to create contemporary Chinese jewelry. There are so many great traditional Asian cultures we can develop into design – not just în terms of shapes, but also artistic spirit” she said for Swarovski Elements. The pieces are inspired from Asian joinery, with a history of over 7000 years and from the timber architecture.
Octavia Xiaozi tries to recreate with her technique the way in which combine two different parts, without using any elements like glue, needles or nails. Because they are hand-made and because she is very careful with details, conceiving a piece takes about two weeks.
She works with semi-precious and imperishable materials (metal, crystals, leather, resin and wood), and she used to work like that even before she was a student: “I damaged my favourite shoes in high school, so I fixed them by applying Swarovski elements and they looked amazing. Now I see Miu Miu doing a similar thing!”
By combining different materials and Asian elements the artist creates harmonious and elegant pieces, but having a futuristic and eccentric touch. They look like some yin and yang accessories, who can resist very well as strong fashion pieces. Parts of her jewelleries are interchangeable and can be repaired in there is the case, thus prolonging the lifetime of her works.
For her jewellery the artist uses innovative techniques live silversmith, 3D print and laser cutting. Octavia Xiaozi wants to launch a ready-to-wear collection, starting from her MA collection: “I plan to create my own brand which focuses on contemporary Chinese jewellery. China is a big market. We need more quality jewellery brands which are founded on both Chinese and international backgrounds. Right now, I’m looking for professional partners to group into a team for running my business.”
by Alexandra Ivașcu
Alexandra Ivașcu is a fashion designer living and working in Cluj. She is pursuing her PhD at the University of Arts and Design, Cluj, studying the representation of the couple in contemporary art
For more information visit http://ivascualexandra.com/.