What is the main inspiration behind your jewellery?
I first worked a lot with wooden, ethnic jewellery – I loved it. One day, I came across a Jewish wedding ring that was shaped like a house, a house that you wear. As someone who does not really know where I come from, this idea really spoke to me. Since then, I have liked to work on places I have been to, or dreamt about.
Does the notion of territory have a special meaning for you?
Born in Africa, from Greek and French parents, territory remains a very vague term to me. But for a few years now, I have turned towards my roots, to Greek jewellers; I see a lot of similarities with my work. Voluminous, colourful jewels, very Mediterranean.
How would you define your pieces of jewellery?
Wearable dreams. I want people to have stars in their eyes with my jewellery. The most rewarding thing is to see that my customers are wearing the jewellery, that they are nourished by it. I create lots of different collections, so people always find something to their taste.
What role does tradition play in your approach to your craft?
If you took me back 100 years, I would still be able to make jewellery with the tools of the time. I do sand casting, I melt my ingots, and so on. I am rooted in tradition: cutting metal, stamping it. Making a piece of jewellery from start to finish is the most important thing to me.