Name: Anton Heunis

Occupation: Luxury Jewellery Designer

What inspired you to pursue jewellery design?

I have always been fascinated by jewellery. It is something extremely personal. Like fashion, it is an art form that intrudes the wearer’s personal space – as if it is almost a part of the one wearing it. . I think it is amazing to be able to create an object that can build on the identity of another person.

You’ve travelled to various destinations, which has been your favourite and why?

I don’t think I have a favourite destination. Some places change every time you go. Take Paris as an example. It can be the best place in the world if you are there with the right person/people, sitting at a wonderful restaurant, wining and dining…but it can also be one of the worst if you are there, you don’t speak any French, have too much luggage and are trying to enter the Metro with your suitcase. If I have to choose one destination though, it would be the Victoria falls in Zimbabwe. It is unbelievable. I have never felt as insignificant as when I was there.

What was your most memorable experience at Erickson Beamon?

My time at Ericson Beamon is filled with amazing memories. I cant think of one single memory that stands out. From day to day, life with my eccentric boss, Vicky Sarge, to working on couture pieces for Ungaro or to seeing people like Sean Connery coming in to do Christmas shopping. All of them are special to me . We would all be sitting in the back talking about the most banal things when we would see Victoria Beckham in the shop looking for a tiara for her sister’s wedding.

Could you describe for us the creative process involved when creating a piece

I never have a set process of working. Sometimes I would see something that inspires me and I would make a few sketches, which would later be turned into pieces. But most of the time I start out by playing around with materials, findings or old brooches which I have picked up in second hand stores or flea markets. When I make a collection, I usually start by making a ridiculously unpractical piece, which would either be impossible to wear or would just never be producible. I then try and make something that has the same feeling, but would work better as a wearable piece of jewellery, than just being beautiful object.

What’s been your greatest opportunity?

I suppose it was when I was offered to do my MA at the academy of Fine arts in Munich. Suddenly I was in a masters class working together with people from all over the world. I learnt incredible amounts from colleagues and tutors from Japan, Europe, Australia, USA, etc. I had the opportunity to work and experiment so many different techniques.

What do you hope to achieve from this year?

I have been very fortunate. In little more than two years with my own label we have managed to be stocked in top boutiques and department stores like Liberty, Harvey Nichols, Le Printemps (Paris), Calypso (NY), Lane Crawford (HK), Podium (Moscow), Tomorrowland (Japan) and Apropos (Germany). I would like to build on this foundation expanding in markets like US and Europe as well as continuing to grow in markets like Japan and Pacific Asia, but most of all I want to carry on making beautiful objects that makes the wearer feel beautiful when wearing it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

When you want to cook clams, you have to soak them in salty water for at least two hours before cooking them.

Visit Anton Heunis

Stockists include Liberty, Harvey Nichols, Browns Thomas, Le Printemps (Paris), Calypso (NY), Lane Crawford (HK), On Pedder (Singapore, Taiwan), Delitto e Castigo (Madrid), Podium (Moscow), Tomorrowland (Japan).