Neva | Audace

RINGS
Rings as a whole are semiotic objects which have been tied to human culture throughout the history of mankind, and are arguably the most intimate accessory we wear on a daily basis. Pinky rings and signet rings in particular date back to ancient times, and have since then functioned as signifiers of different forms of status up until modern times. They have been worn by the bourgeoise and aristocracy in earlier historical moments, though today they often signify more of a spirit of individuality, often work by bankers, gangsters, musicians, and more recently, empowered women.

AUDACE
While planning this collection, Zuzana sought a name that would describe the collection in more than one way, hoping to speak about the work as a series rather than a singular object. At its core, the collection touches on many contemporary issues ranging from gender & sexuality to class & status, and the word AUDACE (meaning audacity and boldness) felt appropriate to describe such a grouping of ideas, serving to describe an approach and a method more than just a static theme. For Zuzana, this collection is as much about creating beautiful objects as it is about creating a dialogue, and in hopefully in this collection an audacious conversation emerges.

OCTAGONAL
The collection’s predominantly octagonal shape in the form of emerald cut diamonds is meant to emit a classic feel of the brand, as it utilizes one of the first and oldest cuts of diamonds. The eight sides of an octagonal shape also refer to an idea of balance, an idea that is particularly intriguing given the collection’s emphasis on pinky rings, which have a diverse history linked to both men and women. Zuzana firmly believes that we are each made from both masculinity and femininity, and that there is more fluidity and less of a dichotomy between the two genders.

COLLECTION
The AUDACE collection has five different rings with a further set of variations within each type of ring (coincidentally, the pinky is also considered to be the fifth finger of our hands). Each ring in the collection has its own history and inspiration, though they are all derived from the same octagonal form. These five rings are also representative of the designer’s own eclectic tastes and sensibilities, appreciating and drawing from seemingly contradictory things. At its core, the collection hopes to feel both acutely traditional while also being willfully modern. Zuzana hopes that the women and men who approach AUDACE make the rings their own, attaching their own personal histories to them as the designer has, and possessing the freedom to wear them however they want.

When do I feel most audacious?

PHOTOGRAPHY SPUSTOVA ARCHIVE
PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY PETR KARSULIN