“This year marks a very special milestone for our brand since it’s our first foray into retail. From being an online brand, we realize the value of being able to connect personally with our clients,” shares Nina Cuenca of Atelier818.
How it started
Over the years, making these special connections with their clientele has led Nina to form genuine friendships with them, including Mikaela Lagdameo. “I’ve been a client of Atelier818 for many years now. Then, one day, we just had a burst of ideas which led to this capsule collection. Everything was just a flow!”
It all started with Mikaela who was in search of belly rings in fine jewelry. A brainstorming dinner was set, with the duo ending the dinner with this collection. “All the creative ideas just flowed, and I easily visualized the stories and details she shared,” Nina reminisces.
“I love working with Atelier818, because everything is taken into consideration—a client’s personality, lifestyle, etc. It’s a very personalized process. Each piece is uniquely made,” explains Mikaela.
Why this collection
This 19-signature-piece collection is entitled Chapters, with designs that are meant to carry special memories from the past with charms, strengthen the wearer at present with bangles and bands, and excite you for what the future has in store with body jewelry. It is meant to capture a chapter in the wearer’s life—these pieces are meant to be a blank canvas that will be given more meaning by the wearer in how they personalize it.
The Chapters collection is divided into three parts.
Chapter 1: Memories converted to tattoo charms
Sometimes, we distill memories into one symbol. Though these charms may have a personal meaning to Mikaela, they are also universally relatable and evoke a certain kind of great memory to its wearer. Choose from a palm tree for an unforgettable adventure, a wine glass for friendship that starts with a great conversation, a heart that expresses love, a cross that reminds us of the power of faith.
Chapter 2: Strength in adage bands
Bangles and cigar bands that may be personalized and engraved with your “adage,” quotes, or simply your word for the year. Words that give you strength and encouragement. This may be re- engraved every year, as you please.
Chapter 3: The ampersand
The ampersand is a symbol that means that your story is still unfolding, and that the best is yet to come. With our new body jewelry creations, we want to evoke a sense of freedom, resilience and constant self-discovery by breaking through new forms such as fine belly rings, anklet cuffs and waistlets.
What’s interesting about this capsule collection is that all of the pieces are meant to be interchanged. A smart connector enables these pieces to be worn in different ways, so you can create a different story—or looks—every time.
How to wear
It took three months for Nina’s husband, Miguel, to work on the prototypes. They spent no time showing them to her. “Absolutely perfect and on point. I could wear every single piece all together. And what’s great about them is that you could stack and layer them on,” she proudly shares about her designs. “That’s the whole point of it all—it could be starter pieces or a very significant addition to your everyday wear collection.”
“I’ve seen Mika evolve and go through many stages. And no matter what chapter she goes through, she handles it all with grace, ease, and effortlessness,” Nina shares about Mika . “This is what we wanted to capture in our capsule collection—timeless pieces that you can easily wear and change up from day to night. At the same time, they serve as a blank canvas where you can write and rewrite your own story.”
Where to start with this 19-piece collection? Mika shares her tips, “Think of a piece that you would use everyday. In my case, I never remove my necklaces, bracelets, my anklet, and earrings—okay, basically everything! For this collection, my standout piece would be the hook bangles where you can add charms to your liking or the adage band to personalize a phrase, a date, a name, something that means a lot and can serve as a reminder. These are all very special to me.”
Coincidentally, July is Mikaela’s birth month. “Not only does it signify a new year but a significant transition in my life. I’m a new woman now, and this is a new chapter.”
*The Chapters collection will be available for six months in store and online. Prices start at P9,000, and can be combined and worn with Atelier818 base pieces.
*Atelier818 would like to thank the following people behind the campaign shoot: videographer Jason Magbanua, photographer Paolo Pineda, creative director Chookie Cruz, stylist Kat Cruz, hairstylist and makeup artist Mica Fuentes, Kath Elefante, Therese Cardensa, and the whole SM Aura Premier team.
