IT’S TIME TO SHOW WHAT WE’RE MADE OF
BACKS AGAINST THE WALL
AGAINST ALL ODDS
THERE’S NO TELLING WHAT’S NEXT ONCE CONCENTRIC SOULS DISMISS SYNTHETIC LIMITS
IN THE FACE OF OBSCURITY WE TAKE ON THE HORIZON
HEAVY IS THE CHEST THAT CARRIES A LEGACY BRACED BY BEATING HEARTS
THIS IS US
HERENCIA
by Rosabelle Illes
INSPIRATION
This collection is the SOLO collection launch for MAISON RYON.
Inspiration was drawn from RYON’s childhood, in which he loved to explore books and sites about history. His interest in these subjects were always very present and the curiosity led the mind to wanna know more.
HERENCIA is a collection based on our Aruban history, it is based on the pictographs and petroglyphs on archaeological sites in Aruba. These carvings and drawings were interpreted in the span of the century by different archaeologists, Arubans and visitors to the island.
We visited the archeological museum many times, went on site guided visits at the Arikok National Park to the pictograph and/or petroglyph sites. We also visited Etnia Nativa, which gave us a lot of perspective into Aruban history.
We read and went through the 2019 publication by Aad H. Versteeg & Harold Kelly: The Archaeology of Aruba: the Pictographs and Petroglyphs to gain more knowledge of the sites, sights and documentation.
The fascination with them led this to be the idea of the creative director of the brand to be his brand launch collection focusing on ancestry, authenticity, mystery and connection to a time of simplicity and unity.
The idea that these drawings were made centuries ago, by the first who sat foot to the Aruban soil we call home today are the symbols made into fine-crafted jewelry, symbolic to a plethora of things we can only describe in our emotions the HERENCIA pieces are meant to be a reminder of the echoes of the past of our own history, or the ones of our Home.
THE DESIGN AND MAKING OF
The Maison, while doing the selection and research of the inspiration, selected pictographs to continue to inspire and elaborate on, as this would be a dynamic collection that will continue evolving with time.
From the 458 registered carvings and drawings, the creative director narrowed down 4 of the pictographs as the main inspiration for HERENCIA.
A collection of amulets, the idea of the HERENCIA pendants was born.
These were drawn on paper, meetings were held with fine jewelers to be able to create the vision that the Maison has for this collection. When the right jewelers were met, it is because they understood the importance of these items, historically and sentimentally. The authenticity factor, sizing and weight that we wanted to achieve then molds were created in wax to be able to formulate the pendants for the collection.
Three dedicated jewelers and artisans did the hand work together with the guidance and eye of the creative director. Molds were made 3 times before the desired formats were created, the preciseness and impeccability was very important to the Maison.
TECHNIQUE: LOST WAX
Through the carving of wax molds by hand we developed the designs.
Wax is an ancestral craft process in the development of jewelry and ornamentation, it allows us not only to visualize the final model but also to work on its reconstruction if it is necessary to correct it.
Once we have the mold, we proceed to work microcasting in ovens that reach high temperatures and melt the wax leaving us a piece that allows us to fill in silver. This is how we have unpolished pieces identical to the mold, which are then polished with the patience and dedication of the jewelers hands.
Silver is a workable material, appreciated and that reveals its brightness with the right process allowing us to deliver pieces worked 100% by hand, full of love and dedication.
The pendants are based in 925 sterling silver and the gold ones are in sterling silver with a 24 carat gold plating.
From design to having the first pendant took a period of 6 months.
THE PENDANTS
From research made, no clear meaning can be set for the pictographs and petroglyphs in Aruba by the Amerindians. We therefore inspired ourselves in the names by our eye for detail and respect for our heritage: HERENCIA.
TERA CORA
BACK AGAINST THE WALL
AGAINST ALL ODDS
SHOW WHAT YOU’RE MADE OF
by Rosabelle Illes
Inspired by a documented pictograph A-1-24 (hereinafter: #WH, source referenced below) at the Fontein cave in the Arikok National Park, the records show that this was seen and documented firstly by van Raders back in 1827.
TERA CORA, starts our HERENCIA from the soil up, our Aruban TERA CORA (red sand, dust) also linking back to the pictograph in the red color of the drawing made with tints of the TERA CORA.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust: meaning that our body is made of elements of the earth and will return to earth’s basic elements after passing away.
MEDAYA
HEAVY IS THE CHEST
THAT CARRIES A LEGACY
BRACED BY BEATING HEARTS
by Rosabelle Illes
Inspired by a documented pictograph A-30-d located at the Paraguaná site, a boulder in a private residence, records show that this was seen and documented firstly by van Koolwijk back in 1882.
A MEDAYA (medallion), most times, is a great honor, a legacy we are proud of. This design embodies that pride of all the people and ancestors before us, including the Amerindians, the first inhabitants of the island.
From soil to chest, humanity and character filled with pride of our HERENCIA.
CONEXION CONCENTRICO
THERE’S NO TELLING WHAT’S NEXT
ONCE CONCENTRIC SOULS DISMISS
SYNTHETIC LIMITS
by Rosabelle Illes
Inspired by a documented pictograph A-7-a+b located in Arikok A7 subsite, this is a ring-and-bar motif in white paint, on top of the right hand ring is a number of more or less parallel white lines. These pictographs are completely different from those found in Fontein. It is a set of connected concentric circles, Wagenaar Hummelinck (1991) considered this shape as double or twin suns. Records show that this was seen and documented firstly by van Koolwijk back in 1882.
This piece was selected to be designed and made due to its feeling of unity, the CONEXION CONCENTRICO (concentric connection), in life we strive to be happy and part of that is having meaningful connections.
From soil to the human chest, to the connections between us.
ELEVA
IN THE FACE OF OBSCURITY,
TAKE ON THE HORIZON
by Rosabelle Illes
Inspired by a documented pictograph A-8-16 located at the Cunucu Arikok site, the well-known ‘flying bird’ is a pictograph in a dark-reddish brown with a white outline, records show that this was seen and documented firstly by van Koolwijk back in 1881.
A national symbol, this bird symbolized for many: freedom, peace and our HERENCIA. For us it symbolizes connections of souls which are on their journey and are on their mission of life. A mission of infinite and vast uncertainty but always with conviction to reach the destination while appreciating and being mindful of the journey.
From soil to the human chest and connected concentric souls. Take flight and ELEVA on your life’s mission.
References were taken from:
Versteeg, Aad H., Kelly Harold. The Archaeology of Aruba: the Pictographs and Petroglyphs. Oranjestad, the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba, 2019.
THE POETIC SENTIMENT
A pendant and amulet evokes a sentiment. In this the Maison knew what we wanted to feel but wanted a collaboration with local poet Rosabelle Illes PhD, to bring the sentiment of HERENCIA to life. Also for each pendant a passage reflecting the words that came to mind and feeling while creating and seeing the drawings.
The creative director and Rosabelle sat and of this came the collaboration for the poetic sentiment added to the collection.
IT’S TIME TO SHOW WHAT WE’RE MADE OF
BACKS AGAINST THE WALL
AGAINST ALL ODDS
THERE’S NO TELLING WHAT’S NEXT ONCE CONCENTRIC SOULS DISMISS SYNTHETIC LIMITS
IN THE FACE OF OBSCURITY WE TAKE ON THE HORIZON
HEAVY IS THE CHEST THAT CARRIES A LEGACY BRACED BY BEATING HEARTS
THIS IS US
HERENCIA
by Rosabelle Illes
THE FASHION SHOW
The preparation for the show was an experience that is new for the Maison, rather it was one of creative flow and vision to present it on the night of September 28, 2022.
To capture the essence of jewelry on the runway due its size and distance, remains an element of discussion, presentation and creativity. We focused on a sophisticated styling with the yin yang basic element of the brand aesthetic. Our brand base colors are black and white referencing back to the Yin Yang philosophical concept, that describes opposite forces which are interconnected.
The silver and gold pendants were styled very graciously, sophisticated and polished for the runway.
Our models were diverse and vibrant.
The looks evoke the colors of the brand, black and white clothing through a collaboration with DSHOP for the ladies.
The track that accompanied the models walk during the show was “Atardi” in a rendition by Chris Kross and Tomas Lopez with their guitar and violin instruments with sounds of the ocean. For the closing “only you” by Yazoo was the perfect song.
The model’s walk was inspired by the ‘Battle of Versailles’ show by Halston in november 1973 and ‘Maison Valentino’ PP collection Fall/Winter 2022/2023.
We are truly grateful and proud for all partnerships created and collaborations entered for the show which has been the launch of the first solo collection by MAISON RYON – HERENCIA