Spot the Designer - Szilvia Zita Rémiás/ Hungary

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I loved drawing as a child and I won many drawing competitions, so I thought I will be an artist when I grow up.

When have you started creating jewelry? How did this passion come about?

When I was 14, I went to the open day of a vocational school that specialized in art. At that time I wanted to be a graphic designer, but on that day I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere and the objects of the goldsmith’s workshop, and from then on I keep holding on to this profession.

What was your first project or significant piece for you and from what point of view?

My first major project was the "WOW" collection. It was a university project at MOME led by Flóra Vági for which we had to design jewelry that reacts to an emotion. For me it was the feeling of surprise – in correlation with that, I created a bracelet that looks like a simple white rectangular silicone piece, but when we bend it on our wrist, small fish scales motifs appear on its surface. In 2017, this work was awarded at the Design Without Borders Exhibition, and in 2022, it was featured on Talente, which was a huge honor for me.

How do you charge your batteries? What other passions and creative interests do you have?

Besides my work, dance is the activity that brings me joy. I’ve been dancing the Sensual Bachata for five years. My favorite style is the improvisational duo social dance.

What does the connection between manufacturing tradition and contemporary design mean to you?

For me, it was always important to be a jewelry designer who has deep knowledge of practical know-how. If you know the techniques professionally, then it gives you freedom in creative thinking as well. In my opinion, someone can make a great piece by using traditional jewelry-making techniques but in an innovative way.

Which material have you not yet used is a temptation and a challenge for you?

During my first years of university I was experimenting with a wide range of materials. I feel deeply attached to translucent and opaque textures, so experimenting with glass would be evident for me in the future, and also a great challenge.

How was the pandemic period for you as a jewelry designer?

I made my Master’s Diploma project, BODY LIGHT during the first lockdown. I was lucky because I could create my pieces at home and in another studio, but I missed the university’s community and the professional input from my friends. Although my mentor, Zoltán Tóth was supporting me the whole time.

How do you see the future of contemporary jewelry?

My mission is to integrate the art of light into the field of contemporary jewelry design. I see that contemporary jewelry is more and more inclusive and I truly believe that many exciting experiments with materials and cross-field projects will be created in the future.

Find more about the designer Szilvia Zita Rémiás