In the haze of late August, I scrolled through Instagram and paused on a two-inch explosion of fantasy technicolor chic. Elena Perminova, recent streetstyle star and fashion grasshopper had a thin, plexiglass cuff on her wrist – what stopped me was the bracelet’s closure, an industrial bolt.
Reading the comments, I found the brand name : Cooee.
Cooee? What is that?! I had to know.
And I had to have that cuff.
One web-shop glitch and an email to customer support, and I was soon trading emails with Cooee founder (and now friend) Catrine Aberg.
Click to read my interview with the Stockholm-based designer, who is gaining acclaim and attention (from the likes of Moda Operandi, with a trunk show for her SS13 collection in September) for her unique use of plexiglass and metal, always with a hint of whimsy and an element of surprise.
What inspired this very distinct design (of the nutcuff)?
I love Scandinavian minimalism, but I like to put an edge or a twist to it sometimes. I often have a gut feeling of what’s up (and) coming. I have always loved old buildings and factories. It’s both the history and the life that used to be inside the building, and the industrial architecture that is interesting.
For the “Nut-cuff” bracelet, it recalls the Machine age with the bolts and the future with the Plexiglass. (I have attached a photo of my Mother when she was young and its from my Grandfathers factory, I love this photo and it has been in my memory, it could be one factor to the idea of Nut-cuff) One night the idea of the bracelet came to me, and the next day we started to work on it!
When did you first realize your love of jewelry?
I have always loved jewelry and I grew up in a family that works in, and is very interested in art and design. My grandmother was a great painter and she also loved accessories. I used to play with her vintage clothes and jewelry. She is a great inspiration to me. I have photos of me when I was only a couple of years were I have styled myself with clothes, shoes and jewelry!
When did you create the brand Cooee?
I have lived abroad for a couple of years, in London, Dublin and Sydney. I studied graphic design and marketing. When I was in Sydney I got a lot of inspiration from the Aboriginal art and the Australian nature. I decided to start my own brand 2005, I named it “Cooee” which means “hi, hello” in the Aboriginal language.
Tell me about your team.
I started the company on my own but since 2008 we now are a family company. We all have different roles in the company. We have one employee that works in the production and girls that works extra in our concept store.
What are your favorite materials?
I love to work with Plexiglass that has all the colours of the rainbow and it can be bent when heated etc. Corian is mostly used in modern kitchens, but I have jewelry made in it, which is really unique. Corian is interesting as it could be either matte or glossy finish. It contains 75% natural minerals. I like to mix this with pure metals.
Do you have a favorite style from your collections?
It changes over each season, but some jewelry stays forever. For now I love to mix at stack of bracelets, for instance; "nut-cuffs" with other plexi cuffs, leather bracelets & a facet diamond bracelet. I think a new jewelry style that I will carry a lot this coming season is the new "Nut-cuff" necklace.
Who are some of your biggest supporters?
Several International bloggers are wearing my designs as Sabrina Meyer (afterdrk) & Hedvig Opshaug (northernlight). Fashion icons as Candice Lake, Natalie Joos and Elena Perminova. Also the Royal Crown princess Mette Marit (Norway) and Victoria (Sweden).
Will you expand further into home goods?
Jewelry is our main thing, but we also have interior decoration objects in our collection. I have worked with bigger projects and designed a whole concept as well. Unfortunately, the time is not enough to do all I want to!
What (or who!) is your biggest inspiration when designing?
I find inspiration all around me. I live close to nature with lakes and great woods. I often get inspired by colours to be combined from nature and flowers. I love music, art, films and to photograph. Patterns from different centuries. All this is great inspiration. It can also start when I find a great colour and then the creativity starts! Plus, I draw a lot and write down the ideas in the mornings.
Exclusive: Catrine will soon launch the nut-cuff necklace, seen here in vibrant red.
