Inspired by her vast collection of contemporary art, which includes pieces by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Julian Schnabel, Geneva-based designer Suzanne Syz (+41.22.310.20.84, www.suzannesyz.ch) creates colorful, bold jewelry that combines whimsical sensibility with a graphical edge. Although she is best known for her candy-size enamel-and-gemstone compositions in the familiar shapes of Life Savers and Smarties, Syz expresses her fondness for larger, oversize pieces with this recently unveiled earrings-and-bracelet set in matte titanium with chunky sapphires, spinels, and rubies (price upon request). "Titanium allows me to create big jewelry that is surprisingly lightweight," she says.
Syz, who designs only about 30 one-of-a-kind pieces annually, collaborated with a local metalsmith for more than a year to develop the titanium’s industrial-looking matte finish and stonelike texture. Deeply immersed in the international contemporary art scene, Syz notes that many of her clients are fellow collectors. "They like the uniqueness of my pieces," she says, "and knowing that there is only one rendition of each design."
