My interview with The Inspired Co.

SOFIA, TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?

I grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina where I studied fashion and textile design. My first entrepreneurship was a bridal studio - ‘Sofia Maria Buenos Aires’. I’ve always had a love of handmade and one of a kind pieces so this was a beautiful experience.

After some time, I noticed brides kept asking me for jewellery and headpieces and so I decided to take some classes. There I discovered metalsmithing and a whole new world of possibilities opened up. I knew this was the start of something truly amazing.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO ESTABLISH YOUR JEWELLERY DESIGN STUDIO IN AUSTRALIA?

At the end of 2016, my boyfriend Tom and I decided we wanted to travel and experience living abroad. Australia looked like a paradise. Upon arrival, I got a job in a lovely bridal studio in Surry Hills, a charming old house filled with ivory silks and breath taking embroideries.

After a few months working in the bridal studio, the excitement started to fade. I really wanted to do my own thing – either bridal or jewellery, and I wanted to continue to travel. So I quit the job and travelled to Japan, a place I had always wanted to visit. I fell in love with the streets, makers and little boutique stores with artisanal design and handcrafted goodness - it all blew my mind away.

I was very inspired and motivated. I decided I wanted to be a maker not only a designer - I wanted to make beautiful things with my own hands. When I returned to Sydney I slowly started to build my own jewellery studio in my sunroom, while at the same time working to improve my skills in new workshops. 

YOUR DESIGNS DRAW INSPIRATION FROM MANY CONCEPTS, WHAT DOES A SOFIA MARIA PIECE REPRESENT?

After spending this time in Japan, I became aware of how beautiful an imperfect handcrafted piece is as opposed to a perfectly manufactured one. I draw inspiration from this concept of beauty, along with my Argentinian background combined with our relaxed Australian lifestyle by the sea. 

I think my pieces are feminine, minimal and earthy. I only use locally sourced and recycled metals to create these organic and textured jewels. I now also offer a limited collection from Argentinian makers I admire (@smcurated), a space I want to keep in rotation – introducing new pieces regularly.

WHERE ELSE DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION?

Women inspire me. My own idea of what will look cool, delicate and different on them. When I'm creating a piece, I imagine how it will look with a certain outfit for a certain occasion, as well as seeing it on myself. I keep a mirror close to my working bench to see the way that piece falls on my neckline, against my skin, how it looks with a simple white tee, a white linen shirt or an evening silk slip dress. The relation between the jewel, the body and the clothes is really inspiring to me. 

Sometimes I glimpse something worn my someone else and it catches my attention. I prefer not seeing exactly what it is, rather I then imagine its shape and work around that idea. I dream around that brief image in motion playing in my head. I love how metal shines in movement and how it can lighten up your face and especially your eyes.

I’m very inspired by antique craftsmanship, raw pieces where you can see the hand of the maker. A jewel that looks nothing like an industrial product made by a machine is the ultimate luxury to me. I love a piece that's a little bit off, there's a true beauty in imperfect raw shapes. A uniqueness to it.

MINDFUL DESIGN AND CONSUMPTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU, TELL US MORE…

I think now more than ever people appreciate a mindfully crafted object. Something unique, personalised, made to order. I love the concepts of slow living, meaningful design, quality over quantity. Time is certainly a luxury nowadays and when you can offer a thoughtfully made piece you are providing that luxury. Your time, love and energy goes into the design and crafting of each piece, and I believe the person who chooses to own your design can feel this. It attaches a story and experience to each piece - making it unique, special and meaningful.

I am also very inspired by nature, sculpture and architecture and this reflects in my process and my designs. Coming from a family of architects, I am really drawn to the contrasts in materials, shapes and textures. I feel especially drawn to textures, and prefer neutral hues to enhance them.

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE YEAR AHEAD?

Exploring new ways of crafting jewellery as well as new materials. I’m loving solid gold at the moment. I recently started experimenting and I’m so excited to share my new pieces. I’m also extremely excited about my honeymoon in Europe in September! I hope to get some time to relax, be inspired, recharge, and explore, explore, explore. 

Also, I’ll be back in Buenos Aires at the end of the year and I will meet with new makers for @smcurated. I’m super excited to bring to Australia new jewels and other objects from my country. The local makers are incredibly talented and share my true values. I adore selecting pieces from them and seeing their world, their studios, their techniques. I want to cultivate nourishing relationships with them and be a connection between these two worlds. I really love these pieces, they are beautifully made with loving hands. 

DO YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR EMERGING DESIGNERS?

I’m one of you! I think what has worked best for me in the beginning – when I had to decide where to start - was going within myself. Taking time to sit down and really figure out what I wanted to be, meditate on what I wanted to create. Then getting outside, being inspired by people doing similar things. Ask, listen, read, learn – follow your curiosity and start creating. 

Trust the process - patiently - and keep moving forward, even one little thing each day makes a difference and puts you one step closer to your dream. And try not to compare yourself to others, focus on your own thing! So hard but so true x