To be perfectly honest, I wasn't sure whether I was going to make the title of this post 'Julie Pang' or the jewellery line she has recently created, 'OKRA'. Julie is Karen Pang's older sister - yes, the same Karen who collaborated with me on PEOPLE: IN FASHION, the incredibly gifted photographer - and, as you may probably have figured out by now, talent runs in this family's DNA.
The 23-year-old launched her jewellery line only a couple of days ago and it has gained immediate popularity, so much so that the Mauritian master jeweller Ravi Jetshan shared a photo of one of her pieces on Facebook.
Moka Necklace
But that's not all. Julie is a very gifted artist: She graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Fashion Design at the IFA Paris fashion school in Shanghai, China this year, winning her school's 'Creativity' award of 2013 and has also been awarded a scholarship (!!) for her master's degree in September 2014 in Paris, where she will be studying contemporary design.
Julie and her stunning designs
Shanghai Fashion Week
Shanghai Fashion Week
Shanghai Fashion Week
OKRA is going to be massive. When Julie posted pictures of her beautifully unique, handmade pieces on Facebook people (myself included) were already trying to order them within thirty minutes. They are the most delicately intricate little works of art, that complete and redefine the simplest of outfits to the most elaborate black tie pieces. I especially love how Julie plays around with colour and materials, balancing them out brilliantly - wood, nutshells, copper wires and rich jewel tones give her pieces a mythical quality, like magical charms.
Floating Dragonflies
Falling so very hard in love with her jewellery, I just had to ask Julie a few questions:
When did you create OKRA and why?
I created Okra three weeks ago in my head, and it finally came to life when I launched its facebook page five days ago. It was more of a hobby to me, to escape and experience new techniques and medias. I have always been interested in design, especially illustration and prints. I am a crafty person, and in my fashion sewing classes I always had to be precise in order to get beautiful neat finishes on my garments. But I always found myself going back to illustration and painting to get my dose of messiness and not think about sewing or pattern making.
Metamorphose Necklace
Her handmade prints, for her graduation pieces
What inspires you to create your art? Do you have any particular influences?
I am fond of nature and its creepy bugs and animals. I want to reflect that in my jewelry. Also prints always catch me! I follow prints and patterns on patternbank.com. I might use pieces of printed fabric in my jewelry, who knows! One of my favorite Textile Artists, Lily Stockman, is so inspiring and nurturing. Her use of colors is just so right. Photographers such as Sally Mann and Nirrimi Joy Firebrace evoke a lot of nature and real life in their work. And music of course. I get carried away by listening to Bonobo (North Borders) and Bon Iver makes me cry out of gratefulness for life.
Your pieces have a very bohemian spirit to them. Was this a feeling you wanted to evoke and develop in your pieces or did it happen instinctively?
My work reflects my spirit. When I started manipulating copper wire, I felt free. Completely myself. That's when I knew that was it. I did not have a clear picture of what I wanted to achieve, it just happened!
Beetle Shine Rings
What materials do you enjoy working with?
Recycled materials, paper, fabric, wire and beads.
Do you create other things?
I do paint, and recently had two exhibition openings at an art gallery (O.Gallery founded by a Mauritian) in Shanghai.
Where and how do you retail?
I don't retail yet as I have just started. But I recently visited a sustainable designer shop called The Squirrelz. I do participate in creative markets sales in Shanghai which is a good way to meet people and shops for the future. I am planning on opening an Etsy and Society online shop.
More of Julie's pieces
There are a few people who I talk to and know that they are going to be recognised and lauded for their talent abroad, because it seems that they can do nothing other than create perfection. Julie Pang is undoubtedly one of them.
xoxo
Alex
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StyleMauritius
Twitter: @Alex_W_Isaacs
Email: stylemauritius@live.com
