Sissi's interview with Christine Bekaert
1. What was your background before becoming a jeweler?
“After graduating in art history from the Ecole du Louvre, I turned to interior design, I worked at Sotheby's , where I became passionate about jewelry.
In London, at Sotheby's and Christie's, I discovered antique jewelry sales. I was completely fascinated by the work of Castellani and Giuliano , Italian goldsmiths who were inspired by Egyptian, Roman, Greek, Russian art…
My years spent in Paris and London were the basis of my training in aesthetics, architecture, art, literature and poetry. Everything I discovered was going to inspire me all my life!”.
A few years later, I discovered India!
I first unearthed ancient Indian jewelry there. After training in gemology at the Hoge Raad van Diamant in Antwerp, I started creating my own jewellery, first in 22K and 18K gold and then also in brass.
2. What are your sources of inspiration for the creation of your jewelry?
Everything inspires me...
“The ancient world, Byzantium, Greece, Rome, I like to draw from all these authentic sources.
Nature fascinates me, the language of flowers, the shapes and textures of leaves
that I pick up in the woods and dry in my books…
But also,…
“The know-how of artisans in Jaipur who sometimes make me discover new textures or techniques, I sometimes stay for hours observing them…”
3. What connection do you have with India?
India came into my life by chance about twenty years ago in my life and is my most beautiful love story! After Elisa...
Why this love for JAIPUR?
It is first of all the discovery of a world that thinks and lives differently from us, in Jaipur, there is:
- Colors
- The light
- The smiles
- Gestures that have become rituals
- Dignity…
So many things disarm me, speak to me and upset me,...
A sometimes violent beauty that strikes in the heart, a universe where you feel as much caught up as excluded...
A universe that never ceases to amaze!
Jaipur is the city where everything comes together:
- Precious stones from all continents,
- The know-how of craftsmen who, for generations have transmitted their profession,
- The culture of the Rajputs, these warrior descendants of the Sun who built the magnificent palaces,
- People of all colors, castes, religions...
and then we, the lovers of this city, coming from the 4 corners of the world, the creatives, the poets, the artists who feed on the nectar of the Pink City.
“I find my stones in India, the know-how of my craftsmen represents an important part in my creations. Sometimes a few details in an Indian jewel can inspire me, but inspiration really comes from everywhere!”.
4. What is the creative process?
- The size of the stone
- The different sessions with the craftsmen, a piece passes through the hands of 5 to 6 craftsmen, they all have their specialties
- And sometimes, you have to start over a prototype several times before it's perfect!
When this brass one is made after days of work, it will be put in a gilding bath, a layer of 18k gold will be applied to it”.
5. How did you transmit your passion for jewelry to your daughter Elise?
“Elise has accompanied me to India for 20 years. She is therefore completely immersed in this world and knows the splendours, the wonders but also the challenges!
She has always known a creative mum, I'm not sure I passed on her passion for jewellery, but I hope from the bottom of my heart that I have shown her that the important thing is to be passionate and that in working with me, she discovers the value of a job well done and valuable relationships…
Elise teaches me a lot of things, it's my greatest gift in this adventure!”
6. What materials do you use to create your jewelry?
“The pieces are made of brass with 18K gilding. The stones are natural colored stones, labradorite, moonstone, amethyst, malachite, chalcedony, smoky or pink quartz etc..”
“I'm always proud of the piece I have in mind and imagine. Once done, it will be the most beautiful!”
7. A few words about your latest creations
Our collections are based on exoticism and exploration, on nature and spirituality.
Thus, our creations become topics of conversation:
They spark a dialogue and bring to the women who wear them the stories and the strength they carry within them.