Cebuana designer to launch jewelry line for the young

CEBU, Philippines — Cebuana fine jewelry designer Gladys Young, better known as ‘G’, will be launching a new product line aimed at helping the young breed of customer base to appreciate jewelry investments.

Young, who is known for her intricate, custom-made, avant-garde fine jewelry pieces, carrying the Verobrand, is creating another brand name, purposely for younger, yet classy customers and it will be known as the Ve fine jewelry line.

Vero is an Italian word, which means "true."

Set to be made available in the first quarter next year, Young said that the market for fine jewelry is on the constant high, however, there is a need to reach out to the younger segment by providing them with affordable pieces and designs that suit their lifestyle.

Young's Vero collection is more popular in the higher and luxurious segment of fine jewelry collectors and the stylish class market in Cebu, due to its unique and personal designs that are most often uniquely made for a particular owner.

In an interview with Young, she said that unlike the Vero collection, which are priced much higher due to its composition of 18-karat gold mixed with gem stones like multi-colored diamonds, the upcoming Ve brand will play within the 14-karat base tweaking her signature of delicate, dainty, contemporary designs.

But before the introduction of Ve fine jewelry brand, homegrown, artisanal fine jewelry line Vero is releasing its 2017 Holiday Collection dubbed "Art Storm".

According to Young, this by-invitation-only trunk show slated on October 18 and 19 in Manila and October 21 in Cebu will showcase her one-of-a-kind pieces - from necklaces to bracelets and cuffs - handcrafted for the modern woman.

Her fine jewelry business, which started in 2014, has always been about her personal touch, and the lifestyle of a buyer.

Mostly doing custom-made, personalized, Young said she usually designs a piece that speaks loudly about the owner, "I need to know their lifestyle."

For her own designs, she said Vero only makes at most five pieces of the same design, or even less, as the business is more driven by her passion and respect for art.

Coming from a family of artists, Young veers away from taking inspiration from fashion magazines or trends, and instead takes her ideas from the curves, geometry, character, and grace of architectural details, paintings, and sculptures, she said.

Young is one of the very few artists in Cebu that ventures into the avant-garde fine jewelry design business.

Her collections are also on display in the Vero and Jun Escario Boutique at the lobby of Cebu City Marriott Hotel. (FREEMAN)