About
Blurring the boundary between jewellery and clothing, designer maker Maria Lau creates unconventional jewellery and fashion-prop
accessories using semi-precious stones and minerals that are
combined with non-precious and familiar materials. The resulting
experience is a harmony between casual and luxury. Graduating with a Masters from The Royal College of Art in Mixed Media Textiles in 2003, jewellery became a natural progression after experimenting with diverse materials to create hand and body accessories which were inspired by ethnic adornment, Japanese crafts and the female form.
For Maria Lau each collection embodies elements from a central character or story such as legendary heroines, tribal warriors or an imaginary tale conjured up in her mind. The materials and techniques she uses come together with other forms of inspiration such as alternative beats in fashion and music, to the ever-changing English seasons.
The jewellery Maria Lau creates is playful yet contradictory as materials are chosen for their tactility and familiarity, whilst conventions are given a twist. Materials and their associations are brought together to create offbeat pieces that contain irony, creating a new narrative.
For Maria Lau each collection embodies elements from a central character or story such as legendary heroines, tribal warriors or an imaginary tale conjured up in her mind. The materials and techniques she uses come together with other forms of inspiration such as alternative beats in fashion and music, to the ever-changing English seasons.
The jewellery Maria Lau creates is playful yet contradictory as materials are chosen for their tactility and familiarity, whilst conventions are given a twist. Materials and their associations are brought together to create offbeat pieces that contain irony, creating a new narrative.
Manipulating through simple hand techniques - knotting, wrapping and braiding, combined with beading that twists and intertwines,
different materials are given a new role in the form of jewellery, becoming more complex in their dimensions. Once on the body, they become conversation pieces and new interactions.
British-born and bilingual with Cantonese parentage, a strong fusion of cultures and mixed perceptions have always been present in Maria's life. Her choice of materials and play with irony and conventions reflect this dual heritage. She belives that most things, when examined closer hold an underlying or alternative meaning.
Having previously worked with Michiko Koshino and on special jewellery projects with DKNY at Harrods and Selfridges, Maria is now focusing her unique take on jewellery with her eponymous fashion jewellery line. Since her first collection was previewed in 2007 at Coutts London Jewellery Week, she has received increasing interest from key press and buyers.
British-born and bilingual with Cantonese parentage, a strong fusion of cultures and mixed perceptions have always been present in Maria's life. Her choice of materials and play with irony and conventions reflect this dual heritage. She belives that most things, when examined closer hold an underlying or alternative meaning.
Having previously worked with Michiko Koshino and on special jewellery projects with DKNY at Harrods and Selfridges, Maria is now focusing her unique take on jewellery with her eponymous fashion jewellery line. Since her first collection was previewed in 2007 at Coutts London Jewellery Week, she has received increasing interest from key press and buyers.
