Cabinets of Curiosities | Shoreditch Design Triangle: Meta - x Franzé & Evans
Meta-
Meta- is a thoughtful jewellery studio run by designers Jess Jones and Julia Georgallis. The studio combines old with new, fast with slow and digital with analogue, working with high tech production processes and artisanal makers to create meaningful, bespoke jewellery collections.
Our Story
Julia Georgallis and Jess Jones have been firm friends since they met in 2007 while studying Product & Furniture Design at Kingston University. Their first collection, TIME, was designed asa response to a brief which set the task of combining the ancient process of lost wax casting with the relatively new process of rapid prototyping, or 3D printing as it’s more commonly known.
They quickly realised that 3D printing lent itself to making bespoke pieces and, although jewellery wasn’t a common outcome for students on their course, it was obvious that a bespoke jewellery system was a perfect answer to the brief.Jewellery often marks a significant moment or memory and by creating custom-made pieces where the shape is influenced by a customer’s personal data, each piece holds greater significance to its owner.
After graduating the pair exhibited expanded their range and sold jewellery for a couple of years, until, as often happens, life got in the way and Julia and Jess went on to have separate careers.In 2019, ten years after first designing together, they decided to relaunch their jewellery as part of a wider studio concept, with more ideas on how to create thoughtful, bespoke pieces. Meta Studio is forged with friendship and a joint understanding of what jewellery should not only look like, but also feel like to wear.
Commitment to Sustainability
Meta is a slow jewellery brand. We make bespoke pieces that are made to order, which means that we don’t produce any waste or unnecessary stock. All of our pieces are produced in Birmingham’s prestigious jewellery quarter by skilled, heritage artisans and technologists. We do not invest in unsustainable materials or work practices.
We asked Meta- founders, Jess and Julia, what drew them to Shoreditch
Shoreditch is always moving, changing, adapting - when you think it's all over, it keeps on going and we find that constant, incessant energy really stimulating.
Does your work reflect your community and if so, in what way?
Together Jess and I have both had a number different jobs and roles in different industries. Both Meta's collections so far combine eclectic makers with vastly differing skills - from those who work with new technologies like rapid prototyping and CAD modelling to old manufacturing methods like casting and jewellery finishing, so I think combining lots of different disciplines is a lot like our own career paths.
If you could collaborate with any Shoreditch-based artist - past or present, living or dead - who would you choose and why?
I'm not sure about artists - there are so many to choose from! But there did used to be a tooth maker who had a studio across from Jess's flat. How amazing would a collaboration be between a jewellery studio and a toothmaker? It's the ultimate bespoke 'wearable' and requires just as much skill as a heritage jewellery maker.
Franzé & Evans
Franze & Evans is a small family run cafe specialising in a variety of fresh homemade modern brunch and breakfast foods, unique salads and delicious signature cakes. We spoke to owner, Nicola Franze, about what Shoreditch means to him.
“Being an Artist/Designer myself and living in Shoreditch since 1990 (old Nichol Street) I understood the importance of a place like Franze & Evans, as it creates a hub for the local community. Artists, fashion designers, musicians, and other pioneers can meet and share their culture and ideas. Back in 2006 there was nothing in the area except for LE Tre Garson (restaurant) and Lounge Lover. I had a vision for Franze & Evans, which was then followed by others; Albion, All Press, Labour & Wait, Burro & Salvia. Everyone started to arrive after Franze & Evans in search of the same goal - to make Redchurch Street one of the most famous streets in London.
Shoreditch has been a destination for all creatives since the late 60s with Gilbert & George, to the 80s with Tracey Emin, and Rachel Whiteread in the 90s. For me, Shoreditch has been a haven for the creative and inspired to live their truth! It is important to support independent designers - they are the ones who make London diverse & colourful.”
In advance of Earl of East opening the doors to their new Redchurch Street store (any day now!), we had a chat with Sarma to find out what inspires her, her thoughts on community and which era would be the most fun for hanging out in Shoreditch.
What inspiration do you draw from Shoreditch?
I have been treading the streets of Shoreditch since the early 2000's, and watched the area grow and change so it holds a lot of memories, from going to my first Thirsty Thursday to dancing till 4am in one of the clubs! I think it is in the energy of Shoreditch that I find inspiration; there is so much creativity here. From all the different shops to the street art, it's a good place to walk around and get ideas and inspiration.
Does your work reflect your community and if so, in what way?
This is a really interesting question, as when I think of my work I tend to think of the personal language that I have developed with my work. Yet only recently I have been thinking about the word 'community,' because I am developing a collection inspired by Carl Jung's theory about The Collective Unconscious. I'm making various recognisable images or symbols (including the hand) and how this changes elements with the materials, colours or even environments I use.
In the future I would love to do more community-based projects via stained glass and drawing, I think there could be some fun, unique projects, so watch this space!
If you could collaborate with any Shoreditch-based artist - past or present, living or dead - who would you choose and why?
I would like to go back for a day to meet William Shakespeare when he lived here in Shoreditch for a brief time whilst developing his early plays. After a good day wandering about looking at everything, I would see one of his plays at the newly discovered playhouse The Curtain. I think Elizabethan London would be a fascinating place!
Cabinets of Curiosities is a project for Shoreditch Design Triangle, a cultural event that celebrates the creative industry in East London.
it was established in 2008 as a vehicle for the designers, companies, and institutions situated in the East End to collaborate on the promotion of their activities during the London Design Festival.
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