Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronique Gautherot.
Veronique, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Paris from a Mauritanian father (West Africa) and a French mother in 1961, at a time when “ethnicity” was a silent concept. The search for my identity, as a mixed heritage young girl, living in a mainly white French environment, has been sometimes painful.
The intense need to integrate into a culture which was not fully mine was conflicting with this other side of who I am. Deep down, I was a loved but tormented child.
Then, I entered the Academic world, started studying Psychology, French Litterature and came to London.
My journey to London, opened my world. Jewelry is what I always considered as the most significant accessory in terms of the expression of who we are from the core. The introduction of raw material in their natural form and the art of assembling them with harmony and class give birth to unique and exquisite pieces of Jewelry.
Jewelry with Soul!
It is in London that I found the strength and the inspiration to freely create, being exposed to some very organic and interesting materials. I started using shells, wood, evolving in the world of stones and precious metals.
My work is a fusion between the Soul of Africa and the Parisian elegance that screams in each pieces, the desperate pride. The richness of my heritage shines through the glow of a precious and timeless piece of art, as in each piece of Jewelry.
I am now living in Los Angeles.
This feels like a third life where I am reaching a new level.
I am now a member of a lapidary Club which allows me to cut my stones, polish them….
I have a well equipped workshop where I produce all my work.
I have been exploring the silversmithing skills I acquired on a course in London in 2000 during the pandemic and this has allowed me to experiment and refine my metal work.
Jewelry that penetrates your Soul! I contemplate and highly respect Nature. Choosing my Crystals carefully, cutting them, polishing them and setting them in metal (Sterling Silver) is the long journey towards a delicious piece of Jewelry that will make your heart melt. I curate each piece of Crystal and try to bring back the connection to Nature which is fading in our Modern time. We developed a new concept of Statement jewelry with a very bold and raw element to it and a very unique eye for beauty.
I can also describe my work as the melting pot of a very rich and eventful life that carries a lot of experiences, emotions and growth. Those emotions screams through each pieces made from scratch.
My vision: introducing a new concept of adornment where each person can discover their essence and most intimate self, taking jewelry to a whole other level with a deeper meaning.
A stop in my space offers a chance to be drawn to a world of unique and powerful pieces as well as having a unique emotional and physical experience. And for me, experiencing the magic of my work through people’s excitement, genuine engagement and emotional reaction is a humbling privilege that goes beyond selling.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would not describe the journey as smooth but I would say it has been a very interesting one with highs and lows.
The uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring, the income that fluctuates from day to day, the growing expenses
have been sometimes hard to overcome but determination and believe in myself and my product have been my secret to success. Perseverance and resilience have been essential to pursue my dream.
I have consistently worked very hard and as I have been so passionately involved in my business, I got great support from my family who has been inspired by it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have spent most of my Life in the creative field.
I have been an employee for a very short time. It was very difficult for me to adjust to a regular job although I was very good at all the jobs I took on.
I then decided to start selling scarves, jewelry already made. As I have always been on the edge, it became harder and harder to find items that would please me so I decided with my friend to start beading our own pieces by cutting off the ones we found and creating new styles. We bought some African beads from an Independant vendor and started our jewelry line. Then my friend went on to pursue her own dream in the make up artist world and I decided to carry on with the jewelry trade. My Mum and I became very actively involved in selling in market, shops ……..
Then one day while we were selling in a craft market in LONDON, I got introduced to Crystals and my focus changed from wood, shells, leather….. to crystals. I was buying the crystals and making statement pieces, now I built equipment in my workshop and I cut, shape, polish, drill my pieces. I still use shell and wood but I made a big shift in the crystal world and their healing properties.
I am known for the boldness of my work, the choice of quality of my crystals and the unique style of my designs.
I am very proud of touching people all the time with my work, giving them a different experience, making them discover the core of who they are by just choosing a piece which help them to see the depth of their beauty.
Helping people come out of their shell is such a rewarding thing and this is what set me apart of others.
Creating a new image of oneself by trying this new concept of jewelry that I created fills me with joy every single day. The testimonies I receive from customers who had a unique experience with my work mean a lot to me and give me the drive to keep creating and finding new extravagant material. For me, class resides in simplicity and it is very hard to achieve beauty in simplicity although it looks easy. Being a minimalist is giving art a different dimension, a clean look full of power and grace.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
High end material, crystal, boldness, minimalist approach, respect for Nature, Powerful image…
Pricing:
- Wide range of prices
- $150 onwards
- Wide range of prices
Contact Info:
- Website: www.veroniquedesigns.com
- Instagram: veronique_designs
- Facebook: Veronique Gautherot
