Nothing adds panache to an outfit like the perfect accessory. Hand-crafted jewellery label, Bande des Quatres promises that “Je ne sais quoi” with a touch of class. Founded by mother-daughter design duo, Erin Wahed and Janis Kerman, each piece is an intimate glimpse into their art-obsessed minds.
Launched in 2011, the Montreal-based label is a huge departure from the overly- trendy, mass-produced jewellery we’re used to seeing today. With an abstract and architectural aesthetic, inspiration is drawn from a multitude of styles in art and design including photography, sculpture, painting, architecture, graphic and industrial design. Creating yearly collections, as opposed to seasonal ones, the designers pay as much attention to the quality and craftsmanship of their work as they do to the originality of each piece. Though the jewellery is made to order, it still represents a rich history which can be traced back to the source of inspiration. The brand’s first collection, based on the Bauhaus movement focused on the perfect balance between wearability and weight and the contrast between finishes. Their second collection, based on architecture, worked with the three-dimensionality of each piece, adding a strong element of illusion and mystery which has become Bande des Quatres’ signature. The newest collection, is perhaps their most complete, with the addition of multi-part earrings to their previous mix of rings and bracelets. Based on modern abstract photographers, the collection uses bolder and larger shapes to create a statement. Every earring, ring and bracelet is created by hand using sterling silver (oxidized or non-oxidized), 18kt yellow gold, palladium white gold and precious gemstones. Each piece is then finished either from sand blasting, scratching, oxidizing or polishing (also applied by hand).
Though the designers stick to basic silhouettes, their use of space somehow gives their creations an air of both fragility and strength. The dainty shapes and negative spaces they create give the illusion that they are floating above and around the wearer’s body rather than affixed to it. Meanwhile, the undeniably sturdy textiles and clever artistry assure the utmost stability.
Whether it’s the uncompromising craftsmanship, timeless appeal or playful eccentricity that catches your eye, there is no denying that Bande des Quatres is in a wonderfully creative league of its own.
See more at bandedesquatres.com
Story by Dayana Cadet, KA MAGAZINE