Beauty and transformation: BCXSY and H. Stern collaborate on ’Humble Vanity’ and ’Mystery in Gold’ collections

Brazilian jewellers
A vanity console, box and a wall mirror are the result of the 'Humble Vanity' collaboration between Brazilian jewellers H. Stern and Amsterdam-based multidisciplinary studio BCXSY
(Image credit: press)

Combining a fine jewellery inspiration with experimental design: this was the idea we had when we brought together Brazilian jewellery house H. Stern and Amsterdam-based multidisciplinary designers Boaz Cohen and Sayaka Yamamoto, aka BCXSY.

The designers immersed themselves in the Brazilian company's world – learning about jewellery-making techniques from their local craftsmen – and developed a collection of furniture inspired by Brazilian modernism. 'The colours and characteristics of the materials serve as a reference to the jewellery world,' explain Cohen and Yamamoto, who were mainly inspired by stone setting when designing their metal and glass structures. 

The result of this collaboration is a three-piece vanity collection in minimal forms – entitled 'Humble Vanity' and comprising a vanity console, box and a wall mirror – combining brass structures with mirrored and coloured glass surfaces. The collection channels BCXSY’s affinities with the world of alchemy, via design references to the mysterious and magical aspects of beauty and transformation. 

The creative conversation between the two parties branched one step further, with BCXSY’s work also inspiring a jewellery collection from H. Stern. Called 'Mystery in Gold', the three-piece set features a cuff bracelet and two pairs of earrings made of the company’s own 18 carat 'noble gold' – a mix of white and yellow golds. The pieces are set with a combination of dark and light cognac diamonds, and feature an intricate architecture-like construction, with an interior lining that enhances their three-dimensional perspective. 

A true tribute to the art of collaboration, the double collection exemplifies the creative powers of our six-year-old Handmade venture. 

Diamond cuff bracelet

The creative conversation between the designers and jeweller disciplines branched one step further, with BCXSY’s work inspiring an intricate jewellery collection by H. Stern

(Image credit: press)

Mystery in Gold

Called 'Mystery in Gold', the three-piece collection features a cuff bracelet and two pairs of earrings made of the company’s own 18 carat 'noble gold' – a mix of white and yellow golds

(Image credit: press)

Dark and light cognac diamonds

The pieces are set with a combination of dark and light cognac diamonds, and feature an intricate architecture-like construction, with an interior lining that enhances their three-dimensional perspective

(Image credit: press)

Combining a fine jewellery inspiration with experimental design: this was the idea we had when we brought together Brazilian jewellery house H. Stern(opens in new tab) and Amsterdam-based multidisciplinary designers Boaz Cohen and Sayaka Yamamoto, aka BCXSY

Both the designers and the jewellery company closely followed the production of 'Humble Vanity' through frequent visits to Silver Tre, an Italian factory specializing in metal artworking 

(Image credit: press)

Silver Tre factory

View of the Silver Tre factory, where the designers worked with artisans to realise the collection

(Image credit: press)

Work-in-progress

Work-in-progress snapshots of the collection at the Italian factory 

(Image credit: press)

Silver Tre

A selection of metals at Silver Tre

(Image credit: press)

Wall-hanging mirror

Model of the wall-hanging mirror, photographed at BCXSY's studio in Amsterdam

(Image credit: press)

A small maquette

A small maquette of the jewellery box by BCXSY

(Image credit: press)

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.