The story behind Grey Pearl studio
Grey Pearl studio exists because of the Coco Chains.
Told many times, but here in writing, is the story behind Coco Chains and Grey Pearl studio: As a designer, my eyes tend to automatically merge images, which leads to new ideas. On one occasion, this kind of merge spurred more than just new ways of arranging colours on paper.
Told many times, but here in writing, is the story behind Coco Chains and Grey Pearl studio: As a designer, my eyes tend to automatically merge images, which leads to new ideas. On one occasion, this kind of merge spurred more than just new ways of arranging colours on paper.
Pearl girl and design habits
When it comes to jewellery, I’m a pearl girl. For personal use, I had never even looked at anything but pearls. Sadly, years back I lost my favourite pearl pieces in a nasty burglary. A really upsetting incidents which made jewellery loose some of its appeal. After that, I rather went unadorned. Decades later, I came across a box of vintage faux pearls and couldn’t help playing around with them. One day, a box of pearls, some silk spools and a stainless steel chain happened to share a corner of my desk. That did it! The three materials merged. |
My third eye, the one I don’t quite control, spotted an interesting combination within reach of success (even without any training in jewellery making). Several tests and many hours later I had an unusual pearl and steel necklace with a nice weight to it. A statement piece - either four times around my wrist - or as an opera length necklace. This became my signature adornment; enhancing any outfit and I started to get questions about where I got it.
Coco inspired
Gradually I started to ponder, how complicated could it be to offer the same to others? - Now, that took some months, and many trials. A nice feature, the lovely silk string of the prototype had to go; it frayed with heavy use. Eventually I come up with a safer and alltogether better version of the original. This work in progress was referred to as the “steely pearls”. Until one day, a friend asked how my “Chanel-like-pearls” were coming along, and the necklace got its name. When she asked, it just clicked. Coco Chanel adored her pearls; typically faux pearls, like these - so “Coco Chains” were born. Grey Pearl studio materialised
Soon I made Coco Chains in different colours and combinations and needed a place to organise and show them. I lived in France, with my friends all over the world, so I started a newsletter. Since my absolute favorite pearls are grey, what better to call it than Grey Pearl? “Studio” was added to include the process of both designing and hand making the pieces. |
Grey Pearl studio website
After the newsletter followed the Grey Pearl studio website. My actual "studio" was anywhere I felt like spreading out in our lovely 1830’s house on the French Riviera. An intensely inspiring and beautiful setting for working in the business of creating beauty. A signature technique
Further development and testing led to a standard for the technique. Later labeled BEADSonCHAIN, a design concept unique to Grey Pearl studio. The original concept, pearl adorned chains, was later expanded to include semi precious stone beads. The first stone bead chains were inspired by edible, and not so edible berries and fruit from all corners of the world. The idea was wearable berries! Redesign of old pearl pieces
Being a designer at heart, I couldn't stop looking for more ways to use chain and beads. Redesign was a logical concept. Giving new life to outdated, unused or broken pearl pieces became a service for private customer. Grey pearl studio continues to enjoy collaborations with both businesses and private customers. |
Copyright © 2011-2018 Grey Pearl studio
Tittin Rinde. All rights reserved.
Tittin Rinde. All rights reserved.