1Congratulations on winning the French Design Awards! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?
Thank you! OBY JEWELRY is honoured to receive the French Design Awards. Our passion lies in pioneering sustainable luxury, blending lab-grown diamonds with recycled S925 silver to create timeless, elegant pieces inspired by French artistry. At OBY, we believe in conscious beauty, responsibly crafted and uniquely styled to fit every lifestyle. This award is a testament to our dedication to innovation and sustainability. We’re truly grateful to the French Design Awards for this incredible recognition!
2What does being recognized in the French Design Awards mean to you?
Being recognised in the French Design Awards is a tremendous honour for OBY JEWELRY. It validates our dedication to creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. This recognition not only elevates our brand on a global stage but also inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of design. It’s a celebration of our team’s hard work and a reminder of the impact thoughtful design can have.
3How has this achievement impacted your career, team, or agency, and what opportunities has it brought so far?
Winning the French Design Awards as a Gold Winner has been an incredible milestone for OBY JEWELRY. It has reinforced our commitment to sustainable luxury and validated our innovative approach to jewelry design.
This recognition has not only strengthened our brand’s credibility but also opened doors to exciting collaborations, expanded our global reach, and attracted new clients who resonate with our values. Most importantly, it has motivated our team to push creative boundaries even further, knowing that our vision is making an impact in the design world.
4What role does experimentation play in your creative process? Can you share an example?
Experimentation is essential to our creative process, allowing us to refine ideas and push boundaries. Whether it’s exploring new materials, reimagining functionality, or solving design challenges, we embrace trial and error to achieve the perfect balance of beauty and practicality. For this entry-Finesse Diamond Watch Earrings, we adapted and refined key elements to enhance both aesthetics and wearability, proving that innovation often comes from continuous experimentation and thoughtful adjustments.
5What's the most unusual source of inspiration you've ever drawn from for a project?
One of the most unexpected sources of inspiration for OBY JEWELRY came from the intricate internal structures of lab-grown emeralds. These unique formations, scientifically engineered yet evocative of nature’s artistry, inspired a collection of delicate, asymmetrical designs that harmoniously fuse innovation with timeless elegance.
6What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the design process?
We wish more people understood that the design process is not just about aesthetics—it’s a deeply thoughtful and iterative journey. Every piece we create involves research, experimentation, and countless hours of refinement to ensure it meets our standards of quality, meaning, and beauty.
7What were the challenges you faced while working on your award-winning design, and how did you overcome them?
Balancing client expectations with our creative vision is a dynamic process of collaboration and communication. We deeply value our client’s needs and aspirations, actively listening to their ideas while offering our expertise and artistic insight. Through thoughtful guidance and open dialogue, we bridge the gap between their vision and our brand’s identity, ensuring the final creation is both personally meaningful and artistically authentic.
8What were the challenges you faced while working on your award-winning design, and how did you overcome them?
We faced two main challenges in production. First, incorporating a real moving hour hand required a watch movement, which added weight and reduced comfort. To solve this, we replaced it with decorative hour hands, preserving symbolism while improving wearability. Second, using gemstones as the cover obstructed visibility.
We switched to a white mother-of-pearl base and glass for clarity, ensuring elegance and functionality. These adjustments highlight our commitment to balancing beauty and practicality.
9How do you recharge your creativity when you hit a creative block?
When creative blocks arise, stepping away from the design table is often the best remedy. Travelling, exploring art galleries, or simply immersing ourselves in nature helps reset our perspective. We also find inspiration in unexpected places—architecture, music, or even vintage craftsmanship.
Engaging in hands-on experimentation with new materials, sketching freely without constraints, or collaborating with other artists also sparks fresh ideas. Ultimately, creativity thrives when given space to breathe, and we embrace that process wholeheartedly.
10What personal values or experiences do you infuse into your designs?
At OBY JEWELRY, we infuse our designs with values like sustainability, authenticity, and emotional connection. Many of our pieces are inspired by personal experiences, cultural heritage, and the beauty of nature, ensuring that each creation carries a deeper meaning and resonates with our customers.
11What is an advice that you would you give to aspiring designers aiming for success?
Our advice is to stay true to your vision while remaining open to growth and learning. Success in design comes from passion, persistence, and a willingness to take risks. Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and evolve—it’s all part of the journey.
12If you could collaborate with any designer, past or present, who would it be and why?
We would love to collaborate with Coco Chanel. Her revolutionary approach to design, blending elegance with functionality, aligns with our philosophy. Her ability to create timeless pieces that empower the wearer is something we deeply admire and aspire to.
13What's one question you wish people would ask you about your work, and what's your answer?
We wish people would ask, “How do you ensure your designs remain meaningful in a fast-paced, trend-driven world?” We answer that we focus on creating pieces that tell stories and evoke emotions. By prioritising craftsmanship, sustainability, and timelessness, we ensure our jewelry transcends trends and holds lasting value.
