Hello dear reader, It's discount code time again! You can now claim 20% off all beautiful accessories from Antonio Ben Chimol by entering HEY4XM5B. I first came across these crazy cool bracelets when shopping in a local boutique, Della Kaur and fell in love with their understated style and chic simplicity. The bullet bracelet with its contrasting pink and grey colouring makes a bold statement.
The powder set includes minerals and metals transformed and hermetically (I had to
look that one up it means airtight) sealed inside transparent
tubes. They work separately, linking
two together for a necklace or intertwined for the wrap look – be careful
though, they can pinch if you aren’t paying attention to the magnetic
fasteners.
Intrigued by
Antonio’s story I asked if I could interview
him and he kindly accepted. There’s
something at first a little unnerving, then quite refreshing about Antonio’s
offbeat attitude and forthrightness.
Switching from the poetic to the pissed off with the nonchalance of a true
European. Dropping details of the (5)
languages he speaks and how his company evolved (the result of a
not-so-great business decision) Antonio's designs are as individual
as his personality. But don’t just take my word for it...
1. You
dropped out of higher education to embark on a great adventure – sailing boats
across the Atlantic. How do you feel
this prepared you for life and your career now?
You know to own
a company is exactly the same as to be part of a boat crew, from my sailing
experience I did learn that we have to enjoy the moment. The good weather as for example success,
collections selling well, clients paying their invoices, etc. In the mean time you have to be ready for the
storms, when your crew fail, the new collection is not selling, clients piss
you off and suppliers make mistakes. If
you don’t find the way to survive the storm, it is the end!
To see how
fragile and small we are comparative to the ocean, the whales, sharks and
storms it remind you every day that you are human. This is a very good tip when you deal with
people from all around the world because they are human as well!
I grew up in a
small town as Bologna, a transatlantic experience did open my mind
and my general view of life, confronting myself with other cultures, people and
languages. To leave Italy on a sail boat
was just the beginning of a long trip that I have not yet finished I have lived
in Rome, Bangkok, New York, Paris, Milan, Sardinia Island, Berlin and
Barcelona. Where next?
2. What
first drew you to jewellery design?
An
accident. I was the owner of a night
club in the north of Sardinia Island, once I decided to organise a big concert
but things went wrong. In one night I
lost a lot of money and to cover the expenses I lost my part of the club. To make money quickly I had to invent
something and why not bracelets done with car springs? This was The MASAI
bracelet and it was a hit - two million units sold in 6 month. It is still in my collection and selling very
well since 1996.
3. Can
you remember the first piece of jewellery you saw that made an impact on you?
Yes absolutely,
was a gold and emerald dragonfly by Cartier on my grandmother’s book
cover. I have no Idea why that jewel
made such an impact on my memory in that way.
4. What
do you provide your customers with that they can’t get from high end stores?
Original
designs. The chance to own a wonderful
piece, the opportunity to wear something that is not always the same model and
label as everybody else but without sacrificing quality. The name of my last model is BLACK SHEEP
BRACELET, in the label it is written “leave the heard behind and buy original
designs”.
5. Do
you remember where you first got your inspiration for the current collection?
It is just a
constant search for something new, something that nobody has yet seen or done.
New shapes, solutions kinds of clips, textures or different colours, something
unique. I kindly invite you to discover my sea urchin bracelet,
the colours of the rainbow or compare the colours combinations of my Bullet
bracelets with the flowers you find in nature. There you will find my
inspiration.
6. Each
of your collections hide a secret within (Rainbow – 7 colours, politician –
with 2 faces etc.) Do you feel your opinions on nature/politics shape your
designs or vice versa?
Everything is
connected, it would be nice to finally have a politician or leader conscious
about that point.
7. How
would you describe Antonio Ben Chimol products to a blind person?
I will ask them
to touch it!
8. What’s
coming up next season for Antonio Ben Chimol?
I keep this a
secret.
9. What
is your life and career mantra?
Be yourself in
the good as in the bad, no matter what they say.
I think I may
be taking this on as my mantra too!
Happy Shopping!
The Interview
has been edited for grammatical accuracy.
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