Following in her family’s long established art background – her grandfather, uncle and father, all served as court painters under the Ethiopian emperor – Liza Belachew went on to make a name for herself in the creative world serving as an art director at Nylon Japan and Dazed & Confused Japan. After years of working in publishing, she decided to pursue a new career path, launching her own Tokyo-based jewelry brand in 2014. Her debut collection, “The Share Collection,” won her the prestigious A’ Design Award at Jewelry, Eyewear and Watch Design Competition Category in March. Read on as Liza discusses her collection, reflects on her former career as an art director, and reveals her future plans.
How has your family’s art background influenced your work so far?
My grandfather, my father and my uncle painted for the Emperor. My grandfather in particular was a pioneer who created modern Ethiopian art influenced by traditional techniques.
When it comes to me and my work, I always try to create something new, and incorporate traditional elements into modern. I think I was mostly influenced by the way their entire life was related to art.
What triggered your interest in jewelry in particular?
Since I was a child, I would get excited about jewelry, or anything sparkly, and later I came to think that I could implement my graphic skills to design. I wanted to design jewelry after I acquired the necessary skills, and had mastered art direction.
What was the biggest challenge of jumping from editorial to design?
Taking the actual decision to leave Nylon Japan to start making jewelry.
What was the first piece of jewelry you ever designed?
It was a pair of earrings I made using a big stone.
Tell us a few words about your collection.
“The Share Collection” consists of a group of eight charmingly designed earrings perfectly combined with each other through the superbly elaborate techniques of Japanese craftsmanship.
What was the inspiration behind the idea of fragmented earrings?
The collection was inspired by the idea to share, and connect with others. The idea was that multiple people can share a single concept through these pieces, which connect them not only with friends and families, but also with anyone who shares the interest for this collection, blessing all those that wear them with a sense of oneness, comfort, serendipity, and happiness.
Are you influenced by trends, be it material, shapes or anything, at all?
Yes, from simple yet unique shapes.
Have you found your signature yet?
I think my signature is mixing traditional with modern elements, and incorporating art in my designs.
Does winning an award actually offer, besides self-reward, designers the exposure they need?
Not so much; however, when I am talking about the award, most people in Japan are surprised. It is a good thing to win an award, if your industry thinks this type of authority is important.
Given your experience in publishing, what is the one thing a young designer’s work has to have to catch an editor’s eye?
Captivating images or a powerful story behind the product is important. People select an item based on their image.
What are your future plans?
I want to collaborate on a traditional Japanese project with people from other countries in the graphic field.
www.lizabelachew.com
Shop Liza’s collections online here.
Images © Liza Belachew
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