The jewellery designer crafting complex simplicity
Kiala Kanzi Kiala Kanzi officially launched her eponymous jewellery brand Which is why this fresh talent’s designs are made by hand and then in February 2019, but her love for crafting dates way back. “I’ve lovingly gold-plated. “There’s a radiating element to the pieces, always been creative,” she says. “I started with tailoring, they bring a soothing light,” she says, adding that it’s important shoemaking and product design, and then I realised I was that her approach to design remains unforced and experimental: actually into small things.” Currently based in Barcelona, Kanzi “you can just go with the flow and come up with a different shape has been building up her portfolio for the past three years, all as you’re creating the piece.” Her growing love for one-of-a-kind the while studying jewellery and object design. And as her first pieces has also led her to start developing a bespoke line, which pieces reveal, it’s obvious that despite her minimalist aesthetic, has already caught the attention of British musician Jorja Smith, Kiala Kanzi is about offering the heirlooms of tomorrow. who’ll soon be seen wearing a Kiala Kanzi custom crown in her This ambition stems from Kanzi’s memories of being fasci- next music video. nated by her grandmother’s gold jewellery as a child, Speaking to Kianzi, it’s clear that her versatility which is when she realised the inherent power of the pushes her to continuously test different directions and accessory. “It’s not something you need; it’s something go beyond the simply pretty. “The names of my pieces you decide to wear because you want to.” So she’s now are inspired by spirituality and the cosmos to reflect committed to translating stories into exquisite keepthe idea of searching for meaning in life,” she reveals. ables. Whether it’s a pair of statement earrings, a This explains why she refers to her approach as signet ring or a chain necklace, there is always history “complex simplicity” because, despite the wearability of behind the design, which relates back to her personal her jewellery, there are multiple beautiful facets to her journey as a German-Cameroonian-Syrian designer. brand. For example, each design comes accompanied “So many things have been insensibly appropriated by a poem exploring the messages behind it. As Kanzi and commercialised,” she reflects. “It’s only natural says, “I don’t want to impose limits to what I can do.” that I want to express who I am and reclaim my identity through my work.” Styling, hair & make-up KIALA KANZI
UPFRONT
Words SARAH BEN ROMDANE
Photography ANGIE LOPEZ
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