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2015-01-07 00:09:00.0
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Melanie Georgacopoulos
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Tasaki Exhibition
Melanie Georgacopoulos x Tasaki Exhibition
For more than 60 years, TASAKI has been bringing the exquisite aesthetic value of Japan to the world of luxury jewellery. And now, TASAKI has collaborated with London-based designer Melanie Georgacopoulos to create an exclusive collection that challenges ideas about classic pearl jewellery.One of Britain’s most directional designers, Georgacopoulos’ trademark is sliced pearls and this collection features the finest selection from TASAKI’s inventory of exceptional pearls contrasted with black rhodium-plated titanium chains in a series of experimental pieces that look as though they have come straight from the catwalk.

Discover the beauty of Melanie Georgacopoulos x TASAKI at Lane Crawford Season’s Place Beijing from December 4, 2014 – February 28, 2015.
Born and raised in Athens to a Greek father and a French mother, London-based Melanie Georgacopoulos is a contemporary and forward-thinking designer that constantly defies convention. Having studied sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art followed by a Masters in Jewellery at the Royal College of Art, she combines her passion for multi-dimensional form, metal and the pearl to create a unique voice in the world of jewellery.
Born and raised in Athens to a Greek father and a French mother, London-based Melanie Georgacopoulos is a contemporary and forward-thinking designer that constantly defies convention. Having studied sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art followed by a Masters in Jewellery at the Royal College of Art, she combines her passion for multi-dimensional form, metal and the pearl to create a unique voice in the world of jewellery.

Tell us about your latest collection with TASAKI.

Every collection I design feels like a different chapter of the same book. Pearls fascinate me and I try to look at them every season from a different angle and think of interesting designs that capture people's imagination. For the Drilled Collection I worked on the material aspect, drilling them so many times until they become translucent like ivory, so that they look like pearls but are actually weightless. For the Hidden Collection, the challenge was to design pieces where the pearl was barely visible, representative of the ultimate luxury and indulgence of having pearls, yet hiding them under a veil of gold chains.

By slicing a pearl you don't destroy it, rather you enhance its value.

What first drew you to the pearl?

I started working with pearls while I was studying my Masters at the Royal College of Art in 2006. Under the influence of my previous studies in sculpture I was working with various materials until I came across pearls. Out of curiosity I decided to cut one in two to see what it looked like inside; I found the slice so beautiful that I was instantly inspired to dedicate my whole degree show collection to pearls.

Over time as I researched more and more, I realised that all pearls, even cultured ones, still have to be made by a little mollusc at the bottom of the sea. They actually come out looking like we see them, beautiful and ready to be added onto a piece of jewellery, without need for any polishing or faceting like other gemstones. It is that very aspect as well as the fact that over centuries they have been adored and coveted by all of society that make them fascinating.

Has it been challenging to rework the image of the classic pearl for today’s contemporary jewellery audience?

Yes, absolutely. Most people expect a classic pearl necklace and a pair of stud earrings. Introducing sliced, faceted and drilled pearl designs among others has been a struggle but also a very interesting process. I think the biggest challenge relies on the value that people place on materials, and explaining that by slicing a pearl you don't destroy it, rather you enhance its value. I think that having such a successful company

like TASAKI producing those designs gives people confidence to purchase new adventurous designs.

What’s next for the collaboration? Where do you see it going?

We are continuing to launch two collections a year and introducing new concepts every season. I hope that more and more people get to see the pieces and as TASAKI slowly expands to the West I hope that the European and American audiences will be as receptive to M/G TASAKI as they have been in Asia.

HOW TO WEAR YOUR PEARLS
by Melanie Georgacopoulos