Right Round
Whether a result of current-event hysteria (Swine Flu! Pirates! Earthquakes in LA!), or simply a case of spring fever, designers, it seems, have been feeling a bit loopy lately. No, I’m not referring to their personalities, but to their liberal use of circles and ovals which, judging by how frequently they’re popping up in collections, have been crowned the shape du jour.
Soft and fluid, these round silhouettes possess a certain lightness and simplicity, making them a perfect pick for the relaxed, fuss-free days of summer that are right around the corner. It should come as no surprise, then, that a pair of designers from California, a state famed for its easy, sunny style, are leading the circle brigade.
Based in San Francisco, designer Vicente Agor is known for his handcrafted pieces made from 18-karat gold and sterling silver. Inspired by the art, architecture, and cultures he encounters while traveling around the world, his designs are simultaneously luxurious and understated—perfect for the modern woman.
Ovals are featured prominently in the earrings, rings, and necklaces that comprise Agor’s eye-catching Antarctica collection. One ring, made of 18-karat gold, is a simply beautiful pave-diamond studded oval that rests lengthwise across the wearer’s finger. A more budget-friendly pick are his sterling silver and gold-accented oval “Slope” earrings, whose design was inspired by the slope of a mountainside.
Headquartered a short drive down the coast from Agor is designer Ian Saude. Born in Hollywood and schooled in Berkeley, Saude has now set up shop in San Luis Obispo. Along with light, nature, and the human form, Saude is inspired by space and the juxtaposition of it being both nothing and everything.
With that in mind, it makes perfect sense that hollow circles and ovals have rolled their way into Saude’s collections. Usually fashioned into chain links, some of his styles, like the yellow-gold Veronique bracelet, are light and delicate, while others, like the Minu necklace, make a bold statement with their chunkier styling. And like Agor’s, his designs easily transition from day into night, making them perfect circles, indeed.
Tags: 18-karat gold, Agor's Antarctica collection, chain links, circles and ovals, designers, earrings, Ian Saude, Minu necklace, modern woman, pave-diamond studded oval, rings and necklaces, Saude, Saude's collections, Sterling silver, sterling silver and gold-accented oval Slope earrings, Vicente Agor, yellow-gold Veronique bracelet