The allure of fine jewellery lies deeper than the sparkle of a diamond or the clarity of a stone. Behind each piece of spectacular craftsmanship is the creative mind who brought earth’s natural treasures to life. The Unique Show’s exhibition in Monte Carlo, Monaco from 19 – 21 June was a luxury lover’s dream. Guests had the opportunity to get up close and personal with 52 jewellers from around the world. In all its diversity, the Unique Show showcased a sparkling array of talent on the French riviera.
From the elegance of Bahrain, to the eastern inspired designs of British designer Louisa Westwood, and the ethereal stories behind French designer In Fine Joailler, the Unique Show was a delicious trove of haute design. Curated by founder Dalila Daffara, the Unique Show’s sixth edition incorporated its first awards ceremony this year where expert judges crowned designers based on different categories. The real highlight of the event was getting to know the stories behind each designer.
London’s Ruth Aymer, behind Aymer Maria, caught our eye for the understated everyday luxury of her Malian collection. In its simplicity, Aymer Maria has captured a city pulse with subtle style choices like delicate jewels contrasted with structural boldness. Aymer speaks passionately about turning the world around her into an artistic reference. “As human beings, in terms of the places and spaces we occupy, there is something very important and quite soothing about symmetry,” she says.
The roots of her Malian collection stem from West African architecture. “The Larabanga mosque is an ancient mosque. It basically has these beautiful dome like structures that run all around it and there are wooden straps that stick out. I had the concept of having the baguette diamonds act as the wooden straps,” Aymer tells Schön!
“I want it to kind of feel excavated, like a piece of treasure that you kind of unearthed. The way that the diamonds are set, I wanted to look as though they’ve sort of been thrown into the gold and they’ve fused,” she explains. And when it comes to the embellishments on her sculptural pieces, she says that they’re all Botswanamark diamonds, meaning they’re traceable and harm-free. There is something so enticing about finding a go-to uniform of jewels and Aymer Maria effortlessly fits the bill.
photography. Courtesy of Aymer Maria + the Unique Show
words. Shama Nasinde
