November 14, 2023
Inspired by the natural world, the ethical jewels of Capucine Huguet
I am particularly drawn to the sustainable and ethical ethos of your jewelry collections. Can you tell us how you came to designing fine jewelry?
I became a jewelry lover very young! When I was a child, I absolutely loved collecting stones and rocks, I spent hours admiring my rocks collection. I was fascinated by how nature create these unique and beautiful gemstones. In parallel, I also had a love for drawing, it is in combining these two passions that I turn to jewelry design and become a jeweler!
When I was 14, I did an internship at Van Cleef & Arpels, the very first day I knew fine jewelery was my future! I first studied jewelry making at the Haute Ecole de Joaillerie in Paris, then I studied design at Central Saint Martins School in London, and now I combine the best of both worlds!
Collaborating with Chanel was a thrilling opportunity! In 2021, I participated in and was awarded a prize at the 36th Hyères Festival. Chanel, who sponsors the festival, offered me to work on collaboration. We chose to work on seas and oceans, and I especially focused on phytoplankton, why we need to preserve it to protect our planet. The jewels in this collection are statement pieces, bold and colorful, I am really proud of what we did!
Nature and the environment is central to your creations, what are your environmental commitments? and how do you put this in practice in your creations?
My intention is to highlight environmental issues thanks to my jewels. I want to focus on sustainability and raise awareness about climate change. This is my goal and my life commitment. Jewels are meant to be cherished and passed on from generation to generation. We can buy less but better, while making it a point of honouring and focusing on quality, and high craftsmanship.
My creations are made of 18k recycled gold, repurposed diamonds and ethically mined colored gemstones. When I use sapphires, they are unheated and untreated (it represents only 2% of the market). I also make my work locally, all of my jewels are 100% made in Paris, from the casting, the polishing, to the stone setting.
Last but not least, I believe the more we take from Nature, the more we should give back. This is why I have chosen to donate a part of my sales each month to Climeworks. Founded by two mechanical engineers in 2009, Climeworks captures the CO2 contained in the air and stocks into it into the ground (a natural process called mineralization). With this innovative technology, the company is responding to one of the most urgent challenges of our time: global warming.
My inspiration is very science-based. I choose a particular environmental topic to highlight and work on it. I do a lot of research, I work with scientists, biologists, even glaciologists. For my first collection inspired by the Arctic ice I travelled to Svalbard, in the North Pole, that was an amazing experience! This trip allowed me to meet scientists and to study on the field how glaciers are impacted by climate change.
You and I have previoulsy talked about personal power, heritage and legacy in jewelry. What do you intend to provide to the women who wear your pieces?
I wrote a critical review about why we wear jewelry and how we use jewels for self-expression. It's fascinating to understand how much your jewels tell about your personal story! Jewels can remind us of our loved ones, our religion, our personal accomplishments, etc. For me, I want my jewels to inspire strength and empowerment for the women who wear them. I want my jewels to be a symbol of pride and care for our planet.
Is there any exciting project for the year ahead that you want to share with us!
I do have exciting projects for the year ahead! I think the biggest one is the launch of my new collection! Last year, I went to Costa Rica, and volunteered to work in a Natural Reserve. Over there, I learnt so much about biodiversity and how each animal interacts with the others! This is the topic of my next collection, I am really excited about it!
DISCOVER CAPUCINE H COLLECTION
