Thursday February 26, 2009
Sea inspiration
By S.S. YOGA
One of Japan’s biggest exports, the cultured pearl, is sold by a Belgian jewellery label.
QUITE often, all it takes is a touch of genius to get a business going. Of course, it also helps to be at the right time and place. The renowned Belgian jewellery company Misaki was set up because a friend who worked for the Belgian airline Sabena (now called SN Bruxelles) suggested to founder Erik Vandefonteyne that it would be a great idea to sell pearl jewellery onboard planes.
On the rocks: Oceane set from the Misaki 2009 range and the Acqua B watch. – Pics courtesy of Misaki Using in-house designers, sometimes in collaboration with outside European designers, Misaki (Japanese for “beautiful blossom”) tries to imbue European craftsmanship and styling with creative, updated, elegant and seductive designs. It combines pearls with sterling silver, gold or rhodium plating and other crystal stones in its collections.
Its pearls are sourced from Japan. This is because the know-how for pearls in Japan is unmatched, and their pearls are renowned for their beauty and quality. The pearls are cultured either in the sea, such as the famous Akoya pearl (the oyster is found only in the shallow waters of the Japanese coast), or in fresh water, by Unio Margaretafera Oyster. A natural quartz crystal is placed inside the oyster to produce the layers of mother-of-pearl and, two years later, a pearl is fully formed. What’s even more amazing, Misaki’s technicians can control the shape, size and even colour of the pearl.
What Misaki offers is the patented X-treme Lustre Pearl, with a shine supposedly superior to that of natural pearls. And since contact with perfume or lacquer sprays (in addition to perspiration, detergents and sweat) may affect pearls and jewellery, Misaki’s pearls are finished with anti-perfume coating. All their pearls come with a two-year guarantee.
Alluring: Odissey set comprising bracelet, ring, earrings and necklace. First established in 1987, the brand took a strategic choice to move its headquarters to Monte Carlo, Monaco, in 1995. The principality was seen to represent glamour, luxury and prestige – just like the Japanese pearls. In 2005, the company was bought over by Philipp Wille; the purchase was completed in 2007.
Among the well-known designers who has worked with the brand include the Belgian goldsmith Axel Mees, who is based in Monaco. His work has adorned royalty and presidential families, celebrities and the rich and famous, including Princess Stephanie of Monaco and David Bowie.
Surprisingly, Misaki has not yet established a presence in Japan. This is probably due to the strong presence of other established brands there. But Misaki hopes to be more visible there in the next couple of years, now that they have built a strong brand identity.
In Malaysia, Misaki entered the market in 2006 and presently, there are three counters in Kuala Lumpur, located in Metrojaya Mid Valley; Robinsons, The Gardens; and Parkson Pavilion.
Sleek: Marina watch from the Misaki 2009 Collection. About 85% of the product range comprises jewellery while the rest is made up of watches and other accessories like brooches and silk scarves. The emphasis is on creative and affordable jewellery. The complementary lines offer a choice of trendy, classic, timeless, basic and sophisticated pieces. The watch collection started out initially with niche pearl straps but are now focused on more contemporary designs. There are plans to introduce men’s watches next year.
Inspiration for the 2009 Ocean collection comes from the kaleidoscope of light reflections and colours found in the ocean, which has characteristics said to reflect Misaki’s core spirit of harmony, mystery, calmness, purity and power.
“Our designers were inspired by the beauty and mystery under the water as well as the fun and luxury above the water – interpreted to fit beautifully with our pearls – making them desirable for every woman. Shells become fantastic rings, marine knots are interspersed with pearls to become special sautoirs (chain with a pendant) and even caviar finds its way into our jewellery,” says a Misaki spokesperson.
Spell-binding: Bermuda watch The jewellery has whimsical ocean-inspired names like Sirene, a set in sterling silver and pearls that adapt elements of the mermaid scales; Sea Berry, in rhodium-plated silver and agate that brings to mind the beauty of seagrass swaying in the ocean; Spirale, which reflects the natural spirals of a shell, decorated with crystals and cultured pearls; and Oceane, which combines pearls and rhodium-plated silver decorated with white epoxy featuring a flower.
To complement the jewellery is a selection of watches. Among the outstanding timepieces is the Marina watch which looks like a marine organism and the Bermuda watch, that’s stylish yet funky.
> The jewellery retails from RM200 to RM2,500. Watches start from RM500. For enquiries, call 03-4043 3111.
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