Alexandra Jefford
Alexandra Jefford was born and raised in Geneva. She studied fine art at Central St Martins, concentrating on etching and drawing. After graduating with honours, she pursued a career as an artist and illustrator then began designing jewellery in 2001, developing many of the same ideas and themes she had explored in her art work. On completing a design course at the GIA (Gemmological institute of America) she decided to become an independent designer of fine jewellery. She started experimenting with wax modelling, creating one-off designs of great complexity that echo the geological forms and patterns she finds so fascinating in nature.
Although she works in minute detail, Alexandra approaches each piece of jewellery as she would a sculpture. Using a sketch as a guide, she models the wax into different forms, searching constantly for the ideal setting for a gem or a pearl. Once the right combination is found, she then assembles the piece and has it cast. What she loves about this process is that there is always an element of surprise. Not knowing how a piece is going to turn out provides an element of freedom and ultimately leads to more spontaneous, original work.
Whether she is working on her own collection, or designing specifically for a client, her aim is always to create unique pieces that have their own identity, that can be admired and discussed at the same time worn with complete confidence. It is this combination of wearability and artistic ambition that has brought her admirers in the film, design and art worlds on both sides of the Atlantic. She has sold to actors, artists, designers and filmmakers in New York, Los Angeles and London.
As well as her commercial success, Alexandra has also had articles and photo shoots of her work published in Vogue, the New York times, the Sunday Times, the Times, GQ, Beaux arts magazine, the Jeweller, Baselworld, Wedding Day and Harpers Bazar. She has also been commissioned by the V&A to design a piece for the museum based on their Japanese Collection and was one of four top British designers to be showcased at International Jewellery London, nominated by fashion and lifestyle editors Hilary Alexander and Kate Reardon.
She is currently showing at perimeter Gallery in Paris alongside furniture designers. Her work is sold at Rose Ark in Los Angeles, U.S.A and at Perimeter Gallery in Paris, France.
Alexandra Jefford can be contacted on: info@alexandrajefford.biz or 0207 384 9207/07768863404 www.alexandrajefford.biz
