3 German Designers to look for at Romanian Jewelry Week 2024

Our favorite jewelry event (Romanian Jewelry Week, of course!) is back in Bucharest, with some well known designers (at least in the jewelry addicted fans area) and some very fresh ones, with a lot of surprises and a tone of good vibes. And, because this year Goethe Institute will be one of the special venues (and it will also host the exhibition-installation and the conference of the artist Michael Berger), I talked with 3 special German Designers to look for at Romanian Jewelry Week 2024. Meet Michael Berger, Sharareh Aghaei, Letícia Domingues and their amazing pieces of jewelry. (Photo up – Letícia Domingues)

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1. Letícia Domingues – @letmdoaa / http://www.leticiadomingues.com

What is the main message of your collection presented at ROJW 2024?

My work feels like a whirlwind set free, and my jewelry collection for ROJW 2024 is still in progress. I’m racing against time, as each piece carries an emotional and fragile essence. I always struggle to find closure on a new series because my creations embody that very search—a quest to find my own way through the art I make.

Your first moment of falling in love with the jewelry world was when…

I spent my time in a chemistry lab, polishing endless squares of thin metal for experiments. They would shine so perfectly – only to be destroyed in the process. I couldn’t help but think how much more rewarding it would be if they could become earrings instead.

Imagine that: a famous character, wearing YOUR jewelry, in a big city, walking on the rhythm of the song… (what is going to be the full picture)?

António Variações was a Portuguese singer and Songwriter. He was born 1944 and despite his short-lived career due to his premature death at the age of thirty-nine, his work is a central reference in Portuguese music. Cover of his first single, 1982 Record label: Valentim de Carvalho. Now to the big picture: Picture António Variações in Lisbon, dancing to the rhythm of “Estou Além” (“I Am Beyond”):
“I cannot overcome
This state of anxiety
The rush to arrive To not arrive late.”
And there it is—my wild new brooch pinned to his shirt, catching the free wind with every move.

About the designer: Letícia Domingues is a Portuguese jewelry artist residing in Leipzig, Germany. She graduated in chemical engineering in Lisbon and conducted research in metal electrochemistry. 
About the collection: “I’m far from closure. The storytelling that transcends mere aesthetics, delving into the realms of emotion, perception, and cognitive dissonance captivates me.” 

2. Sharareh Aghaei – @sharareh.aghaei / http://www.shararehaghaei.com

What is the main message of your collection presented at ROJW 2024?

My work is about memory and cultural identity. Usually my works have dusty look, seemingly old broken objects which are excavated from historical sites. What occupied my mind since I started my study abroad was the concept of identity and memory. This concept has become the main topic of my works since I migrated from my home country.

Your first moment of falling in love with the jewelry world was when…

… after I started my bachelor at Art University of Tehran; focused on arts and craft, developing hard skills working with different materials such as wood, glass, ceramics, textile etc. While progressing the craft skills, we needed to choose a field to the final bachelor’s work, which I have found the metal, and mainly jewelry the most fascinating medium to step in the world of artistic expression. 

Imagine that: a famous character, wearing YOUR jewelry, in a big city, walking on the rhythm of the song… (what is going to be the full picture)?

I can imagine a famous character walking through the streets of historic and culturally rich city of Isfahan, Iran. The city is covered in the golden light over the stunning architecture. The character has a long coat, but what stands out is the glittering jewelry she is wearing. A brooch full of sparkle, that catch the light as she moves and reflects the rich colors of Isfahan. The iconic turquoise and lapis lazuli blue and gold mosaics create a fascinating moment. As the character walks through the busy bazaar or along the grand Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the soft sound of a Persian-inspired song plays in the background. The glittering jewelry almost seems to dance in sync with the rhythm, creating a mesmerizing visual symphony. The jewelry shines and attracts the attention of those around. 

About the artist: Sharareh Aghaei is Germany/Iran – born in Tehran, Iran, live and work in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. 
About the collection: Most of the stones are from those not more usable material of precious stones (extracted but declared unfit), collected from different carving companies, stone workshops, or artists’ remains, to upcycle and give them another chance to show again their forgotten beauty. 

3. Michael Berger – @kineticrings – www.atelier-berger.de / www.kineticrings.com

What is the main jewelry of your collection presented at ROJW 2024?

Wearing kinetic jewelry is fun, playful and a real conversation starter.

Your first moment of falling in love with the jewelry world was when…

 I realized, that jewelry is able to create a very deep and emotional connection to the wearer – and been able to create such a tight bond with my own hands was very tempting to me.

Imagine that: a famous character, wearing YOUR jewelry, in a big city, walking on the rhythm of the song… (what is going to be the full picture)?  

There are many pictures in my head, but for instance say: Tilda Swindon in all white – wearing one of my kinetic brooches in a Chanel fashion show in the Grand Palais in Paris…

About the artist – Michael Berger lives and works in Düsseldorf. 
About Goethe series – These kinetic rings belong to a series of Goethe related pieces made for annual exhibitions of a Düsseldorf based jeweller group called düsselGOLD – founded in 2007. For many years the Goethe-Museum Düsseldorf has hosted this exhibition of contemporary jewelry from a group of around 20 makers. The group shows work from their collections and at least one piece especially made for this event to the – annually changing – Goethe related theme.

• About Anniversary Edition of Romanian Jewelry Week 2024…
• … from the 2^nd to the 6^th of October, at the National Library of Romania.
• … 230 designers and collectives from over 40 different countries.
• … not to forget: on 2nd of October, on 5th and 6th only – you can buy your favorite pieces of jewelry.
• … 3 exquisite collaborations will also hallmark this special edition – Diploma Show 2024, Goethe Institute and AlbAlb – https://www.romanianjewelryweek.com/.

Photography: ROJW / courtesy of the artists.