Anna-Reetta Vaananen's Waves necklace is a unique piece of jewelry that stands out for its innovative design and the story it tells. The necklace is a celebration of womanhood in all its forms, and it is inspired by Botticelli's iconic painting, The Birth of Venus. The design reflects the waves of water and hair and the curves of a woman, creating a piece that is both visually stunning and deeply meaningful.
The necklace is made from recycled silver in Finland, and it has a matte surface that is suede-like but made from silver. The original piece for casting and mold making was hand-made by bending warm wax sheet with form giving irons. The flowing form was accomplished by controlled artisan skills. Casted silver parts have been finished by hand and joined together, resulting in a necklace that is both beautiful and sustainable.
Despite its massive and festive appearance, the Waves necklace is surprisingly light, making it perfect for a red carpet look. The length of the necklace can be adjusted to fit different sized women, adding to its versatility and appeal. Each piece adds the length approximately 2 cm, allowing for customization and personalization.
The design process for the Waves necklace began in September 2017 and the first necklace was completed in September 2018 in Sonkajarvi, Finland. The project started with Vaananen's admiration for women of all kinds and her desire to create something precious that celebrates their diversity. The final product has the light feeling and the looks of suede even though it is made from silver, a testament to Vaananen's innovative design approach and technical skills.
The Waves necklace is more than just a piece of jewelry – it is a statement about the beauty and diversity of womanhood. It is a tribute to women of all kinds, and it is a reminder that it should be easy to love oneself every day, no matter what. The necklace is a testament to Vaananen's skill and creativity, and it is a worthy winner of the Silver A' Jewelry, Eyewear and Watch Design Award in 2021.
Project Designers: Anna-Reetta Väänänen
Image Credits: Image #1: Tuomo Jalkanen, photographer, Alias Creative, 2020
Image #2: Elina Manninen, photographer, Johanna Nordblad, freediver and model, 2020
Image #3: Elina Manninen, photographer, Johanna Nordblad, freediver and model, 2020
Image #4: Elina Manninen, photographer, Johanna Nordblad, freediver and model, 2020
Image #5: Elina Manninen, photographer, Johanna Nordblad, freediver and model, 2020
Project Team Members: Anna-Reetta Väänänen
Project Name: Waves
Project Client: Anna-Reetta Väänänen