Five Minutes with a Friend: Emma Chapman Jewels
The award-winning jewellery designer Emma Chapman, uses gorgeous gemstones, precious metals and ancient couture techniques, to create totally unique, regal heirloom treasure for the 21st century. Drawing on old heritage traditions, her jewellery incorporates carving, engraving, enamel, jaali and embossed work. Her signature style is haute-bohemian in flavour, exotic and glamorous.
Emma Chapman Jewels will join us at this year’s Selvedge Makers’ Fair in Bath on 21 September 2024. We spoke to Emma Chapman setting up Emma Chapman Jewels, her appreciate for textiles and what inspires her jewellery designs and collections.
What is your first memory of a textile?
I only started appreciating textiles later in life, and started collecting various textiles on my travels to places like Morocco, Peru, India, Cambodia, Thailand and Africa. I think one of the serious pieces I bought was a Killim Rug in Morocco which I still love.
Can you put into words what you love about textiles?
I love the stories they tell about the lands and regions that they come from and the fact that they are works of art in their own right.
Where is your most inspiring space to create?
I am actually a jewellery designer, who lived in Jaipur for 10 years and set up my workshops there. This is my go to creative place, where the gemstones, and alchemy of working with my team of goldsmiths and stone-cutters comes into play.
What has inspired you recently?
Watching Bridgeton. I loved the colours, the textiles, the jewels, the costumes. It was a feast of inspiration.
What is your most cherished jewel and why?
My turquoise, ruby and diamond ring set in 18ct gold with hand-engraved Mughal Floral patterns on it. I wear it all the time. I found the turquoise on a trip to Ladakh in the Himalayas. It brings me joy to look at every day. I love the colours in it, the workmanship and it transport me back to Jaipur.
Where did you learn your craft?
I learnt my craft on the street in Jaipur and Nepal. I have spent years sitting in my workshops in the old city looking at gemstones as they arrive in someone’s back pocket fresh from the mines of places ranging from Afghanistan, and Burma to South America. I am a self-taught designer who is inspired by the shapes and patterns all around me especially in sacred geometry.
Apart from Selvedge, what else do you sell?
I have sold at stores ranging from Fenwick and John Lewis to the V & A museum and National Portrait Gallery to high end resort hotel shops and fashion boutiques around the world. I am also a regular exhibitor at London Fashion and Paris Fashion Week and also at shows in New York.
Can you tell us a bit about your neighbourhood/community? Why is it so special?
I have two neighbourhoods in my life. One is in Frome, Somerset where I live in an old Georgian House. It is a vibrant artist market town near Hauser and Wirth art gallery and Babington House, with stunning countryside all around. My other neighbourhood is Jaipur, India where I have a second home and my workshops. This is my creative hub and where all the magic happens.
Can you tell us something about one of your loyal customers?
I have several very loyal customers who like to commission special pieces when I am in Jaipur. They appreciate my one-of-a-kind fine jewellery and love the fact that it is made especially for them. They love being part of the process, as I search the streets of Jaipur for unique gemstones and enjoy watching the design process unfold while I am there.
The Selvedge Makers' Fair will take place at The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Down, Bath on Saturday 21 September 2024. Find out more and plan your visit here.
Emma Chapman Jewels will join us at this year’s Selvedge Makers’ Fair in Bath on 21 September 2024. We spoke to Emma Chapman setting up Emma Chapman Jewels, her appreciate for textiles and what inspires her jewellery designs and collections.
What is your first memory of a textile?
I only started appreciating textiles later in life, and started collecting various textiles on my travels to places like Morocco, Peru, India, Cambodia, Thailand and Africa. I think one of the serious pieces I bought was a Killim Rug in Morocco which I still love.
Can you put into words what you love about textiles?
I love the stories they tell about the lands and regions that they come from and the fact that they are works of art in their own right.
Where is your most inspiring space to create?
I am actually a jewellery designer, who lived in Jaipur for 10 years and set up my workshops there. This is my go to creative place, where the gemstones, and alchemy of working with my team of goldsmiths and stone-cutters comes into play.
What has inspired you recently?
Watching Bridgeton. I loved the colours, the textiles, the jewels, the costumes. It was a feast of inspiration.
What is your most cherished jewel and why?
My turquoise, ruby and diamond ring set in 18ct gold with hand-engraved Mughal Floral patterns on it. I wear it all the time. I found the turquoise on a trip to Ladakh in the Himalayas. It brings me joy to look at every day. I love the colours in it, the workmanship and it transport me back to Jaipur.
Where did you learn your craft?
I learnt my craft on the street in Jaipur and Nepal. I have spent years sitting in my workshops in the old city looking at gemstones as they arrive in someone’s back pocket fresh from the mines of places ranging from Afghanistan, and Burma to South America. I am a self-taught designer who is inspired by the shapes and patterns all around me especially in sacred geometry.
Apart from Selvedge, what else do you sell?
I have sold at stores ranging from Fenwick and John Lewis to the V & A museum and National Portrait Gallery to high end resort hotel shops and fashion boutiques around the world. I am also a regular exhibitor at London Fashion and Paris Fashion Week and also at shows in New York.
Can you tell us a bit about your neighbourhood/community? Why is it so special?
I have two neighbourhoods in my life. One is in Frome, Somerset where I live in an old Georgian House. It is a vibrant artist market town near Hauser and Wirth art gallery and Babington House, with stunning countryside all around. My other neighbourhood is Jaipur, India where I have a second home and my workshops. This is my creative hub and where all the magic happens.
Can you tell us something about one of your loyal customers?
I have several very loyal customers who like to commission special pieces when I am in Jaipur. They appreciate my one-of-a-kind fine jewellery and love the fact that it is made especially for them. They love being part of the process, as I search the streets of Jaipur for unique gemstones and enjoy watching the design process unfold while I am there.
The Selvedge Makers' Fair will take place at The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Down, Bath on Saturday 21 September 2024. Find out more and plan your visit here.