Chatting with jewellery designer Cheryl Fernando! 

Tell us about yourself. What inspires you as a jewellery designer?

I grew up in Colombo but now live in the beautiful hill capital of Sri Lanka. Being surrounded by its beauty and enriched culture one couldn’t ask for a better place for an artist/designer to live. I studied at Methodist College and afterward followed a bachelors degree in Design, at the University of Moratuwa. Besides my jewellery work I volunteer at a youth organization. I have always been passionate about serving youth. When it comes to jewellery anything that’s beautiful and unique inspires me in my work.

What is your signature style when designing your jewellery?

My style is somewhat out of the box. Jewellery is usually defined as, an adornment which is beautiful and expensive. Most often its value is based on the material it has been made of rather that the design in itself. So I wanted to created adornments which are beautiful, but, with less expensive, yet interesting material. The concepts are based on the curious materials I use and the styles derive from the unique properties of each material. My first attempt was making adornments out of fabric waste. The most recent has been a collection called “Naturale” - a mix of silver and natural fiber called hemp (hana).

As a designer who is your clientele?

There's no specific age limit to whom I design for. People of different social backgrounds have also shown interest, including tourists who find my designs exotic.

'Less is more' they say. As designer what is your opinion on this statement?

When it comes to jewellery, you would think quite contrary to this statement. But if you take a look at my collections this very idea of 'less is more' will seem to resound. Simplicity has been a recurring theme in most of my designs. Having said that I would find it hard to back away from the more elaborate, traditional designs that depict rich culture and grandeur.

What are some of the upcoming trends in the jewellery design industry?

Honestly I don't really follow trends. Trendsetting interests me more.

Statement necklaces are big this season. What inspires you to create your one of a kind pieces?

Most of my designs turn out according to the unique property of the materials I use. For example, the thin fibrous hemp can be braided and sewn together to make a flat surface. But it also can be fixed together to form a brush-like surface. Keeping an eye out on the ever changing fashion trends is also important as it goes hand in hand with jewelry design.

Who is your most favourite jewellery designer?

The jewellery designers of long ago, especially those who crafted the Kandyan necklaces. It amazes me how they drew inspiration from day to day objects such as flowers, grains etc. and produced such beautiful authentic work.

What's the most fancy piece you've designed and what design element made it so significant and special?

I would say it's a set called “FoliEdge”. Other than for the merging of silver and hemp, what makes it significant is the combination of natural leafy patterns (namely the papaya leaf) and geometric shapes that frame a surface of hemp. They are constructed in 3 segments and strung together - almost like wearable art. This set is inclusive of matching earrings and bracelet.

By Sandra De Zilva