Annabella Schnabel

I had the privilege of bringing the Collar exhibition to life alongside my studio @thekeep__ and @lelajacobs showcasing the work of 60 talented makers from across Aotearoa, each responding to the brief of ‘collar’.

Working from my perspective as a jeweller, I explored the idea of adornment through a pair of vintage kid leather gloves, embellished with my silver lace jewellery and a large silver button, star-set with blue and pink sapphires.

By stitching the gloves together in a particular way, I played with the duality of form: from the front, they evoke the silhouette of a classic collar; from the reverse, a pair of embracing hands. The piece can be turned either way, inviting a shift in perspective. Flattening the rings and bracelet across the gloves became an exploration of jewellery in two dimensions, allowing familiar forms of adornment to take on a new life beyond the body.

These images are from our Tāmaki showcase as part of New Zealand Fashion Week @nzfashionwk , where we were fortunate to share the exhibition across three sold-out shows.

We are so grateful to everyone who came to experience the work and to all those who helped bring this exhibition to life. It is a joy to see the show travel south for Ōtautahi Fashion Week, and I look forward to seeing the exhibition continue its journey.

Ngā mihi nui to all who made it possible.