The #RemakeChallenge : Schwarzie teams up with finalist Anke Nel

Dinah Petal Earrings by Schwarzie

It was natural for us to pair KIN jewellery designer Karen Emma Schwarzie with Remake Challenge fashion finalist Anke Nel as both designers share a love for bold line work and rhythmically repeated shapes. The angles and thickness of line in Karen's Deco Dance range complement Anke's clean-cut patterning and appliqued detail beautifully.

Karen is one half of Schwarzie, a sister-made business that is determined to portray life with enthusiasm and colour. Together Astrid & Karen have built their business to uplift and inspire through the stories that their designs inherently weave. Every piece that they make - from a card to a show-stopping necklace follows this ethos and is made with a deep love for what they do.

One of Anke Nel's designs

The bright brass and beautiful design of Karen's pieces conjure up the wealth, elaborate parties, open extravagance and glamour that was at the height of the Art Deco and jazz era in the 1920's. When paired with Anke' chosen materials, the fashion and jewellery pieces open an interesting play and contrast as they echo each other in elegance, but tease our notion of luxury.

Dinah Framed Double Finger Ring by Schwarzie

Dinah Framed Necklace by Schwarzie

Each piece in Karen's Deco Dance collection is carefully cut by hand from brass and polished to a glitzy shine. The pendants & earrings feature sterling silver chains and links. Although inspired by a glamorous past, there is a clean lightness to the designs, making them contemporary translations of the era.

One of Anke Nel's designs

Baltimore Cuff by Schwarzie

Karen says:

" When I was invited to join this project I was thrilled to have a reason to go all out and make over-sized fashion pieces. Working with Anke Nel was an easy process, we seemed to 'click' and it was a smooth process to design pieces for her outfits. Her designs are modern, and structural with geometric details which worked perfectly with the Deco Dance aesthetic. "

Baltimore Mosaic Earrings by Schwarzie

One of Anke Nel's designs

All the pieces in the Deco Dance collection are named after dances and the jazz songs that accompanied them - such as the ‘Charleston’, ‘Lindy Hop’ ‘Margie’ and ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz.’ 

A charming example is the song that goes with Karen's ‘Dinah-Rose’ designs:

“...Dinah, 

Is there anyone finer 

In the state of Carolina? 

If there is and you know her, 

Show her!..." 

Dinah Framed Earrings by Schwarzie

Dinah Framed Cuff by Schwarzie

Anke (left), her lovely model for the photoshoot (middle) and Karen (right)

 More pictures of Karen's jewellery pieces coming soon!

But for now :

Read more about the Remake Challenge here!

Follow the lovely Schwarzie sisters on Facebook here!