Meet 3 Designers Diversifying the Canadian Jewellery Industry

Their recognizable minimalist aesthetic has made them household names in-and-outside of the country, but there are a handful of designers whose maximalist sensibilities that derive from unique cultural traditions are diversifying what it means to craft Canadian jewellery With intricate pieces adorned with colourful beads, recycled materials and centuries-old techniques, these women of colour - with roots from Africa and the Caribbean, Columbia and Pelican Lake First Nations - stitch and weave their cultural history into every piece, proving that jewelry is not just an accessory, but a tool to uplift women and bring their communities together For these homegrown designers, each handcrafted accessory is a sacred way of storytelling, a piece of vibrant history and a wearable form of activism.

We sat down with Asia Clarke of Wild Moon, Jessica Sanchez of Santa Isla and Helen Oro of Helen Oro Designs to talk about how they're creating statement pieces that connect them to their cultural roots and challenging what it means to be a Canadian jewellery designer in 2019 Toronto-based designer Asia Clarke wants to create jewellery that could be found in a museum, displayed next to ancient African art and historical adornments worn by royalty "As soon as I put it on, I could feel it; I could feel that kind of magic" And ever since that trip, she works closely with a group of Emberá Chamí people, who help bring Sanchez's designs to life.

Helen Oro is changing the way we think about Indigenous beadwork with her glitzy, over-the-top designs. . Source