Sean Gilson

The 11 independent jewelers who will participate in the Designer Vivarium, at GemGenève ♦ ︎

It is called Designer Vivarium: a name that recalls a space dedicated to a species cataloged by the natural sciences, but which is instead an area of GemGenève for independent jewelers. And so, yes, the independent designers are a strange species, even if unknown to the heirs of Darwin. The fair, in its second edition, will be held from 9 to 12 May at the Geneva Palaexpo. And, like last year, it will reserve an area for small innovative brands: a space that has been at the center of visitors’ interest. The Designer Vivarium was curated by the jewelery expert Vivienne Becker, and has been expanded to include more designers. Here are the 11 brands that will exhibit their jewelry at GemGenève 20198.

Nicholas Lieou
Born and raised in Hong Kong, he studied in Europe, taking a masters degree in London at the prestigious Royal College of Art, before working for major jewelers in London and New York. He is a cerebral and passionate designer, who mixes a scholarly approach with art and imagination to revitalize the classicism of high jewelery. For example, in jewelry inspired by the myth of Daedalus, with diamonds in the shape of stylized wings.

Alexandra Jefford
Designer born in Geneva, based in London, which draws on his artistic training to create jewelry deeply considered modernists of powerful line and bold form, color and consistency, often incorporating the engraving of the illustrator that was his specialty. Contrasts darkness and light.

Ming Lampson
Known simply as Ming, he is a private “secret” London jeweler who was born in Hong Kong and learned about the gems in Jaipur. He launched his company in 1998, mainly to focus on custom jewelry. In the last two years, he has created his first two themed collections, blending his Asian roots with refined western craftsmanship.

Milio
This is a mother and daughter duo from Moscow: Lyudmila and Olga maintain the Russian culture through the use of refined gems and stone carvings, balancing at a certain nostalgic romanticism with a timeless modernism inspired by the Art Deco.
Tatiana Verstraeten
She is a designer of accessories and costume jewelery of Belgian origin, which emerges from behind the scenes of the Parisian fashion elite. Tatiana launched its first high jewelery collection during the last Paris Couture in January.

Nadia Morgenthaler
Designer and jeweler based in Geneva, she was already present last year. She has an unmistakable style, which blends architectural details with an almost Victorian romanticism.
Alexander Tenzo
Extraordinary Russian gemologist, restorer, engraver, stone sculptor, creates cameos, carvings and complex carvings, with jewels and slowly revealing their fascinating secrets.

Sean Gilson
American goldsmith artist who makes every jewel by hand with pearls and gold, in a modernist geometric and graphic look.
Ninotchka
Duo of young and dynamic Russian designers, who deepens the tradition with precious stones, often ancient and coming from the Urals, to create fantastic ornaments with rich cultural references.
Cora Sheibani
Designer born in Switzerland and based in London, she grew up in the art world. He uses his innate sense of line, form and color to break the jewel rules and explore completely new spaces.

Racine Osieri
Husband and wife, the emerging talent of the GemGenève section of last year, enters the Designer Vivarium with pavé, a blend of harmonies or surprising contrasts.