Katerina Reich

Kyō
Gold plated brass, Perspex
photo Eliška Kyselková / MUA, model Kateřina Koki9 Mlejnková / dress ODIVI - Sobje

The Kyō collection of jewels is freely inspired by the mesmerizing world of art, elegance and the ancient traditions of Japan. It especially reflects the woodcarving of Japanese masters Utamara Kitagawa a Utagawa Kunisada, from 18th and 19th century, who captured the lives of geishas and courtisans.
When a girl, in the world of blossoms and willows, becomes a maiko (the apprentice of a geisha), she accepts her artistic name which will symbolize her new life. That is where the name Kyō comes from – an artistic name reffering to the city of Kyoto. In this city there is also situated one of the biggest hanamachi or the flower city where everything comes into being and obeys the principles of artistic and bodily beauty of professionally trained companions – geishas.
Geishas' fragile appearance was my inspiration for designing the subtle jewels which are easy to put on. The absence of disruption of the body integrity is very important. The collection is completed with red circles as a symbol of “the Land of the Rising Sun“ and with other construction elements which come from Japanese architecture and calligraphy.