MELBOURNE: Gretchen Hillhouse is making waves at home and abroad. The sculptor and homewares designer turned jeweller has been selected as an exhibitor at the Melbourne State of Design Festival from July 16 to 24 and the Life In Style trade fair from July 30 to August 4. She is also one of 10 Australian designers scheduled to show at the International Design Festival in Bangkok this October.
In creating her latest jewellery line, the 'Empire Collection', Hillhouse said her aim was to "create pieces with a fully formed individual in mind, a woman with a certain substance to her and a depth of character."
The Empire collection used porcelain as a primary material, in combination with stirling silver and pure silk cord, she said. Drawing inspiration from Victorian mourning jewellery of the 1800s, it featured references to the cut gemstones and carved jet and ivory of the period, coupled with Hillhouse's signature contemporary lines and colour palette.
"Porcelain in most people’s minds is this beautiful but fragile material that teacups are made from, with handles that snap off if you don’t hold [them] the right way. But I use it in a way that maximises its strength, high-firing it to industrial temperatures so it ends up with similar properties to a stone like jade. I like the idea of creating finely crafted objects of lasting beauty."
The range comprises belts, rings, brooches, necklaces, bangles, wristbands and earrings, at wholesale prices from from $60 to $320.