Nikollë Radi

NEW YORK-BASED NIKOLLË RADI HAS RECENTLY JOINED THE DESIGNERS FEATURED AT WHITEBIRD. IN PLATINUM FILIGREE, ENHANCED WITH STONES, HIS CREATIONS ARE MODERN, AIRY AND LUMINOUS LACE. TO WELCOME HIM, WE ASKED HIM A FEW QUESTIONS. DISCOVER OUR INTERVIEW WITH THIS PASSIONATE JEWELER:

1. We are delighted to be showcasing your jewellery. Welcome!
Thank you, I'm so happy to be in WHITEbIRD.

2. Jewellery has been part of your life since childhood. What do you remember about the things your parents passed on to you?
Yes I grew up in jewelry. But also for a few years my parents owned both jewelry and bakery, and my mom loved sewing. So I grew up around things constantly being made while often involved. And first thing that comes to mind what I remember is that everything that was being made was thoroughly prepared. The entire process carefully thought out, and each thing thoughtfully made.

3. Your background is a good basis for starting your business  - but how would you describe your own style?
At its core my style is about the embodiment of my own constant evolution. I can never linger in what I have done instead I have to push to see what else I can do.

4. What was the first piece you created? Very first piece that I remember was around 10 years old I made a bracelet for myself in silver. I made it out of scraps that were laying around and I soldered it with a blowpipe torch while my dad was reading a newspaper behind my back. As a teenager and while studying jewelry making in schools I started making more jewelry for myself- rings, bracelets, pendants. The first piece of my jewelry line- in gold and platinum- was a piece inspire by New York city architecture. Its buildings and bridges, the rivets and the steel, and the cables, I found all of it fascinating.

5. What role does time play in your creations?
When creating a new piece, it happens when I am completely, fully immersed in my working bench. I almost always start with metal first. I puzzle with pieces and cut sheets of gold or platinum and bend thick or thin wires until I see the potential what could come out. In the process I often think about the person who could be wearing it, and how it would be worn and where would they go with it.

6. Platinum allows you to chisel your creations. Can you tell us about the notions of precision specific to your craft?
Platinum is an incredible metal, I am very inspired by it. It keeps me on an edge, we dance around each other and it doesn’t let me get bored. It is very difficult to work with it. In comparison with other precious metals is somehow more mechanical so it can be very precise, meaning it can be much thinner and because of its density it will hold its shape and last. I understood that very early on so I had to develop the techniques to be able to use it in a way that works for me.

7. Precious stones create emotion. Which stones touch you the most and why?
In gemstones, I don’t discriminate precious or semi precious I love them all. But if there is one that I am more drawn to, it is old cut diamonds. I am just so fascinated with the idea of how such a tough material was cut and polished in the times with much simpler tools. I collect those.

8. Do you have a strong personal attachment to jewellery? Is there any jewel in particular to which you are particularly attached?
Every new next piece that I make is my most favorite and I am in love with it.

9. Putting aside the hand (and therefore touch), which organ and sense would you find it impossible to live without?
Besides the touch. Loving constantly making things, it is hard to imagine not being able to see what I’m making.

10. What would you have done if you had not become a jeweller?
Other type of craftsman or artist.

Chinese portrait :
If you were a jewel: old mined cut diamond
A stone : ancient arrowhead
A flower: a thistle
A dish: peasant food- ratatouille
A work of art: Malevich - Red square Black square An author or a book: Sabu Kohso
A country: USA
An animal: otter (they carry rocks :))