Lady LUX

Fine jewelry is treasured as art and no one understands this better than Kristen Hanson. Born with a passion for making jewelry, she began studying the skill at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, but left to study with legendary master goldsmith Harold O’Connor in Colorado. Hanson pursued further master training at the Alchimia School of Contemporary Jewelry in Florence, Italy. Under the tutelage of Giampaulo Babetto, she discovered a love for architecture and an appreciation for luxury.

The skilled jewelry designer returned to her home city of New York and started her career designing custom pieces for top fashion houses and launched her first official public collection at Bergdorf Goodman. Hanson has since evolved her business into a full jewelry atelier based in Tribeca named 60 Reade. The atelier boasts an 8,000 square foot gallery, a store and the impressive Fine Jewelry School. The store carries signature pieces from her Kristen Hanson Fine Jewelry line for women and men, as well as ready-to-wear fashion pieces from her KIKI by Kristin Hanson line.

“The business evolved over quite a few years through my experience as a student and professional. As my interests and inspirations expanded, so did my love for diamonds and, in turn, my diamond atelier. In my earlier years as a student under different masters of my industry all over the world, I yearned for a merging of technique and design in my studies, which inspired me to start my school in 2006,” Hanson explained.

LadyLUX via Kristen Hanson

While many designers and artists prefer to keep their techniques a secret, Hanson aspired to share her jewelry-making knowledge and expertise. The school began with one bench in her Brooklyn apartment and became the fastest growing international school of contemporary European goldsmith training. In six years, Hanson and her team have taught the art of jewelry to over 1000 students from around the world. The school provides a comprehensive education in the fine jewelry arts, focusing on contemporary design using classic European fabrication techniques with precious metals, stones and experimental materials. The workshop is equipped with state-of-the-art machines and tools, and students are given intensive one-on-one instruction as they are exposed to new ideas and techniques to refine their skills. With courses ranging from 36-hour to two-year programs, the school provides students with opportunities such as advanced workshops, networking skills, studio exhibitions and industry insights from a successful jewelry entrepreneur.

“The Fine Jewelry School is the only one of it's kind in the United States. Our split focus on design and technique really set us apart from any other program the world over. We also teach and encourage a focus on entrepreneurship, which is an invaluable asset to our students,” Hanson shared. “At the school, students become designers as soon as they start, not when they graduate. They leave with a refined skill in jewelry making worth more than the curriculum cost. More importantly, they will possess a timeless art form that can last forever and be passed down through generations.”

As a jewelry designer, Hanson’s work is extraordinary. She has an extremely rare specialty in colored diamonds that has led to international recognition as a leader in the fine jewelry industry. Hanson recently opened the world’s first Natural Color Diamond atelier, adding to her already remarkable 60 Reade space.

LadyLUX via Kristen Hanson

With four unique collections, Hanson offers an array of individual designs. Kristen Hanson for women is a line of jewelry designed to bring a touch of couture to any woman’s wardrobe. Using only the finest metals, precious stones and diamonds, Kristin Hanson’s carefully crafted designs can be tailor-made and customized. The collection includes opulent rings with unique characteristics, necklaces and chokers made decadent with fine details, earrings that dangle with shining stones and intricate bracelets and cuffs.

To further expand her offering and to fill a void in the market, Hanson launched Kiki by Kristen Hanson in 2011 to bridge the gap between classical training and New York style. The ready-to-wear line reflects a luxury lifestyle that can be appreciated by many. The new Spring/Summer 2012 sea-inspired collection fuses precise techniques with creativity and classic elements, finished with a tough edge.

LadyLUX via Kristen Hanson

“The KIKI collection is influenced by the graphic textures and rich colors of the sea. There are playful references of tiny starfish winding and clawing bright gemstones sprayed with diamonds and Swarovskis,” Hanson described.

The collection ranges from long, delicate chains tangled around brilliantly cut Swarovski crystals to sterling silver starfish clawing green amethyst, citrine, coral, onyx and topaz. Cufflinks of cast bronze vertebrae, starfish earrings and rough textured sea urchin rings are embellished with sapphires, diamonds and Swarovski gems.

LadyLUX via Kristen Hanson

As extravagant as Hanson’s fine jewelry collection is, the refined bridal collection truly celebrates engagements and marriage. Kristen Hanson Bridal embodies contemporary signature forms carefully designed to accentuate the innate beauty of natural color and white diamonds. The Kristin Hanson bridal team works closely with clients to source the perfect stones and design pieces that shine and sparkle for the big day and will also be cherished for generations. The bridal line is not limited to engagement rings and wedding bands. Hanson has created an experience for the entire bridal team to enjoy with customizable packages that include cuff links for the groomsmen, adornments for the bridesmaids and even a bridal party at the exclusive 60 Reade event space.

LadyLUX via Kristen Hanson

Rounding out the assortment, Kristen Hanson for Men presents intriguing pieces for the tailored yet tough modern man. The rugged collections use unexpected materials such as gun scraps and carbon fiber contrasted with fine diamonds. Hanson embraced a masculine aesthetic with bullet casing cuff links, bone-fragment money clips and necklaces, and shark tooth rings.

Between the different collections and the school, Hanson still finds time for charities. She is committed to the empowerment of developing countries in Africa and Haiti. Hanson established the Fine Jewelry School Initiative with the belief that education is one of the most critical elements that empowers society and individuals to realize their full potential. In the attempt to help improve the economies of the two countries, the Fine Jewelry School educated students from Africa and Haiti in the art of jewelry-making while encouraging them to pursue their dreams and advance their artistic careers. A strategic curriculum has been carefully designed to allow students to simultaneously develop their own line of jewelry while in school, thus setting them up to launch their own businesses while inspiring others to succeed.

LadyLUX via Kristen Hanson

Hanson has built an admirable, well-rounded business that is as luxe as it is generous. In the next few years, she aims to develop a few more lines and expand the retail business.

“We really are promoting a lifestyle brand here at Kristin Hanson. Expect to see KIKI by Kristin Hanson in stores! We are also launching a men's collection called Hanson Man, an extensive Couture Bridal selection and a high art women's jewelry line. All very exciting!” Hanson shared.

Tagged in: lux exclusives, jewelry, spring 2012, kiki by kristen hanson, fine jewelry school, jewelry school, fine jewelry school initiative, kristen hanson, women jewelry, mens jewelry, jewelry atelier, kristen hanson men,

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