Scar is No More a Scar: A Powerful Design by Isabella Liu

A Dramatic Expression of Pain and Healing

The collection includes three necklaces, two pairs of earrings, two rings, and one buttonhole. Each piece is made from silver and hand-colored silk, creating a striking contrast between the organic metal shapes and the vibrant silk.

What sets Liu's design apart is not only its unique inspiration but also its ability to surprise viewers from different angles. The organic shape and hundreds of colored layers create a mesmerizing effect, making each view of the jewelry a delightful surprise.

The realization of this design involved a combination of hand casting silver and laser cutting silk. Liu drew inspiration from stone setting techniques to set the silk layers, spending hours meticulously laying different layers by resin and stitching.

With dimensions of 60mm x 34.5mm x 485mm, the necklace comes packaged in a box. The technical properties of the design include casting and laser cutting.

Isabella Liu's research for this design delved into the concept of identity and personal history. She explored the themes of burn, heat, pain, and healing, drawing from her own painful experience with a burn scar. Additionally, she interviewed 50 individuals to understand their own painful stories and thoughts on the subject. Liu also conducted extensive material testing, experimenting with real skin, resin, paper, acetate, and ultimately finding that silk provided the best material and color representation for her concept.

One of the main challenges Liu faced was confronting her own scar and finding a way to express her dramatic story and healing process through her design. She experimented with various shapes, colors, and materials before settling on the final design.

The "Scar is No More a Scar" collection has received recognition for its outstanding design. In 2013, it was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the Jewelry, Eyewear, and Watch Design category. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate exceptional expertise, innovation, and artistic skill, evoking positive emotions and wonder in viewers.

Isabella Liu's jewelry collection serves as a reminder that scars do not define us but can be transformed into symbols of strength and resilience. By wearing her designs, individuals can feel empowered and embrace their own personal stories.