Stephanie Schneider’s jewelry is a synthesis between the natural world and utilitarian imagination–a delicate union of the spontaneous and precise. With a background in both fashion and textile design, the Antwerp-based designer walks the line between sculpture and adornment. Though many designers string beads on silk, Stephanie Schneider takes the concept to a new level–using silver, gold and silk as interlocking yarns to create small, personal tapestries for the body.
After studying fashion and textile design in tandem, Stephanie Schneider opened her jewelry label, 17, in 2006. Her fascination with textiles is obvious within her line, which read as equal parts fine jewelry, futuristic weaving and mini chainmail. At the core of Stephanie Schneider’s practice lies a delicate yet powerful technique: hand-weaving. Drawing inspiration from Bauhaus designer Anni Albers, Stephanie Schneider elevates this humble practice with sterling silver and gold.
Stephanie Schneider choice of materials further amplifies the uniqueness of her pieces. Delicate seed pearls and black diamonds tumble from the interlocking chains, creating a precious spontaneity in each composition. The stones do not simply rest on the surface; they are interlaced with the metal–becoming part of the very fabric of the design.
Each bracelet, necklace, and ring feels more like an experience than an object, inviting a world of tactile enjoyment. Her shawl necklaces, in particular, embody this sensibility, wrapping around the neck in an intimate and unexpected way, with no clasp to break the fluidity of their form. In Stephanie Schneider’s hands, jewelry becomes a living, breathing entity—a natural extension of the wearer’s own style and spirit.
