KONZUK jewelry has been a Design Milk favorite for many years, so much so that we had to bring their wares to our sister site, Adorn Milk. The designer behind the brand is Karen Konzuk, who continues to create line after line of awe-inspiring jewelry. Each collection varies but the common denominator is the architectural feel and minimal forms, which Konzuk brings from her love of industrial design and architecture. After graduating from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where she earned a BFA with a major in jewelry design and a minor in art history, she launched KONZUK, which has grown into a world renowned brand. This week’s Friday Five explores some of Karen’s sources of inspiration.
Photo courtesy of Neutra.org
1. Architecture + Design: Richard Neutra’s Kaufmann House
For as long as I can remember I have admired the considered simplicity of mid-century design and architecture. When I was young I discovered a booklet on 60’s house floor plans that my parents had stored away. I would flip through it on many occasions dreaming of living in one of the houses. I loved how the designs captured the outside and brought it in through courtyards or huge open spaces. It was houses, such as the Kaufmann House by Richard Neutra that inspired the design for our current house on the Sunshine Coast in BC.
2. Music: The House of Love
I can’t make it through the day without at least one listen to 80’s new wave music, especially the House of Love. When I am alone in the studio, which is rare, I like to blast the volume and sing to my heart’s content.
Photo by Karen Konzuk
3. Contemporary Art: Donald Judd / Marfa Texas
My husband and I went on a pilgrimage of sorts to Marfa, Texas to view the works of Donald Judd. I am deeply inspired by all of his works of art, architecture and design. To see his concrete (also wood and aluminum) objects in person was awe-inspiring. The trip coincided with the art festival in which all of the gallery’s doors were open to the public including the Chinati Foundation and concluded with a huge street party at night.
Design + Fashion: Marni
If I had all the money in the world my wardrobe would be full of Marni designs—I am lucky to have used a few in photo shoots (and kept them for myself). I love the experimental approach to design materials and color. It would be a dream of mine to someday collaborate with the brand.
Image by melfoody via Flickr
My Surroundings: The starry night sky
Since launching our Stellar collection, which was in fact inspired by the stars in the night sky, we have been obsessing over the stories that the stars hold. In identifying each piece we looked to the naming of stellar systems. And now when something like the recent Perseids Meteor shower takes place it excites me because I can fit it into context of one of our designs.
from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/friday-five-with-karen-konzuk/
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