Moss & Lupine specialises in jewellery enamelling of earrings, bracelets and pendants for necklaces. We hear from the creative team behind this new Singapore-based jewellery brand, including their collaboration with mature-age model of the moment, Ong Bee Yan.
How did Moss & Lupine begin?
A deep love of the traditional techniques of jewellery enamelling and guilloche sowed the seeds of Moss & Lupine. (Guilloche is a decorative technique in which a precise, intricate and repetitive pattern is engraved into an underlying metal.) We wanted to share our appreciation of this incredible craftsmanship with others. The first known jewellery enamelling was done in Cyprus in the 13th century – vitreous coloured layers fused to six rings of gold. For centuries, enamel accessories have been equated with beauty and luxury. With Moss & Lupine we’ve been able to bring this beauty so treasured and celebrated in the past to the present. By adding a modern twist, we hope it can be enjoyed by generations to come.
Your brand uses artisanal methods like guilloche and jewellery enamelling – tell us more!
Enamelling is a specialty technique used for fine art and jewellery design. It blends painting with metallurgy and also chemistry. The mix of these elements must be exact. The procedure involves melting powdered coloured glass over a meticulously handcrafted sterling silver or gold base. The final product is jewellery with a coloured glass finish that compliments the guilloche details beneath it. This is the hallmark of a Moss & Lupine piece.
We like to sketch, design and create different guilloche patterns and to play with colour to bring the patterns to life. Not every creation is a success, but the joy is in the journey. And we like to think that our passion is reflected in each piece.
How would you describe the Moss & Lupine aesthetic?
At first glance our design is simple. But when you take a closer look, you’ll see the intricate patterns decorating the metal. We use liberal dashes of colour and texture and think of our pieces as wearable works of art.
In the beginning, we launched statement pieces, like our Lune and Garden collections. These are larger pendants for necklaces designed to be the feature of a woman’s outfit. Over time, we received requests for smaller designs. There began our quest to craft more petite pieces.
Are your pieces designed for special occasion or everyday wear?
Our intention is to make all our collections equally suited to both special moments and daily wear. Fashion is such a personal thing; it’s up to the woman how she wants to style her outfit with a Moss & Lupine. This is one of the reasons we have at least two colours per collection, to give more options to mix and match as you please on any given day!
How do you find inspiration for your enamelling collections?
We love nature and the colours it has bestowed on us – in the flowers, the plants and the trees. Our jewellery designs are all inspired by the beautiful textures the natural world has created for us.
Our latest collections, for example, are inspired by peony flowers. Their overlapping petals acted as a muse for the signature decorative patterns of the peony collections. It’s a flower that radiates positivity and represents all things that are good and pure.
Any new bracelets or pendants for necklaces in the works?
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we launched Anais (one of the peony flower collections). We hope these pieces are a daily source of inspiration of sophistication, strength and confidence for all women.
Why did Moss & Lupine decide to collaborate with Ong Bee Yan?
Ong Bee Yan is a great role model for all women as living proof that a 67-year-old woman can be relevant, beautiful and useful to society. She co-founded a start-up business at 60, started modelling at 63 and has worked with many fashion brands and magazines. She’s using her platform to influence and empower the silver generation as well as the next generation of women. In our opinion, Yan is the epitome of elegance, a timeless beauty in our modern world.
Ong Bee Yan wears the Moss & Lupine Emie pendant and bracelet set. Why were these her pieces of choice?
Ong Bee Yan loves pendants for necklaces and was drawn to the Emie pendant and bracelet adorned with classic white enamelling. It’s inspired by the oak tree, the universal symbol of wisdom and strength. The pieces spoke to her because, like the oak tree, at 67 she is “older and wiser”, and is “wise enough not to argue over the small things, bear no grudges and be happy.”
To Ong Bee Yan the pendant serves as a reminder that she is strong – physically, mentally and emotionally, and can face any challenges that come her way. We feel lucky to have such an incredible role model for women finding strength and beauty in our brand.
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Now you’ve sourced some beautiful jewellery, maybe it’s time for a facial to get your skin looking and feeling great!
This article first appeared in the April 2023 edition of Expat Living. Purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
