Fashion and Beauty

Kremlin treasures inspire Joyce Makitalo's jewelry show

October 5, 2011 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Jewelry designer Joyce Makitalo showcases her fascination for church paraphernalia and the opulence of the clergy in “Non-Saint,” her first solo show, which opens on Oct. 14 at Firma in Greenbelt 3, Makati City.

“A book about the Kremlin treasures actually inspired me — beautiful, bejeweled objects from all over the world, “ relates Joyce, who is also a painter and graphic artist. “Most of the pieces I was drawn to were religious in nature, and I thought that if I were to own such a piece I would want them to be with a bit of humor. Also, I had in mind the greatness of the human spirit and how these objects celebrate it.

“Opulence for the layman was my goal,” she adds. “I imagined, I sketched, and created ‘Non-Saint.’” The quirky and bejeweled objet d’art collection includes “Sancto,” a necklace with a pendant made of jasper, amethyst, reconstructed shell and coral, and the mystical “Mid-cross” ring of sodalite, chrysocola and jade.

Aside from the new jewelry designs, exciting additions to this collection are calyxes and spectacles. “I also made my very first bags,” adds Joyce, who named one “Bird of Prey” in agate, mother-of-pearl and phantom quartz, a key piece that will surely fly off the boutique’s vitrines come opening night.

Thou shall not covet: Bishophead calyx by Joyce Makitalo

Joyce started her foray into jewelry design in 2003 when an encounter with strands of semi-precious stones inspired her to create her own pieces. Not long after, her bold, chunky pieces were available at the Ayala Museum Shop under the Galleon label.

In 2007, she joined the Guild of Philippine Jewellers annual design competition and won in the competition’s Non-Traditional category. From then on, she has been designing rough, irregular-cut, semi-precious stone jewelry, including special collections for Firma. Her bold, raw and almost talismanic pieces reflect her passion for art and fashion.

As described by vivre.com: “A self-described modern-day hippie, Joyce Makitalo creates jewelry that captures her free-spirited sense of style. Inspired by ancient empires and global cultures, she handcrafts statement pieces that are refined and feminine, yet provocatively primal.”

Aside from vivre.com, the designer’s work has been featured in the pages of Vogue US, WWD, O magazine, Marie Claire US and Paper Magazine US, among others.

“I am very excited about the calyxes. I have always dreamt of owning a bejeweled one. I just hope there would be one left for me after the show,” Joyce enthuses.

“Non-Saint” is on view until Oct. 31. The show is presented byFirma, in cooperation with Greenbelt at Ayala Malls and Modern Epicurean Kitchen.