KEY POINTS:
Shona Lee has been creating special jewellery under her DEM Jewellery label since 2004, clashing the pretty with the heavy. Her eclectic and simple jewellery design has earned her a broad range of fans: she collaborated with the Lonely Hearts team in 2006 and her work has been worn by Outrageous Fortune's Cheryl West. Lee is also the designer behind Ruby's range of sweet jewellery.
Another collaborative project has seen Lee join forces with friend Kate Megaw (who designs the Penny Sage label), to launch the jewellery label DEM Penny Jewellery. The pair have released two ranges, the most recent having influences ranging from hippie-bogans to art deco and craftwork.
The range, exclusively stocked at Miss Crabb's Ponsonby boutique, features earrings made from knitted chains, bold chain-link necklaces, and plenty of knots and fringing. In less talented hands these pieces would look like a tangled mess. Each numbered collectable piece is handmade, limited edition and unique. Megaw recently left New Zealand, but Lee plans to continue the DEM Penny Jewellery label - the next collection is inspired by all things sci-fi and will feature more pieces than ever. She shares her design picks.
1 Miss Crabb clothing
Throw on one of these dresses and you instantly feel glamorous and sexy. They're the perfect quick-change outfit. The design, cut and fabric makes what looks simple - but isn't - fall beautifully on anybody. This lady's style is awesome.
2 Erica van Zon Liberace chandelier
Made for an exhibition and based on antiques from the Liberace museum, Las Vegas. This is a hand-stitched satin, sequin, crystal 900 x 800 wall chandelier; crazy! Erica also hand-stitched a large replica of Liberace's car. Her volume of work is motivating. I was lucky enough to do an art/jewellery trade and now want more.
3 Peter Robinson sculpture
A massive polystyrene chain sculpture, titled "Closed Cell Construction". It is on public display in a transparent front space on the corner of Western Springs and New North Rd. This piece made me double-take and stop, as I am obsessed with chain. I am happy and inspired that I get to view this piece on a regular drive-by basis.
4 Allen Jones chair (circa 1969) postcard
Allen Jones is a British graphic and sculpture pop artist. The set decor of the Korova Milkbar from A Clockwork Orange was based on his work. What an awesome card to receive in the mail from a beautiful friend, bought at the Tate, sent from Paris. This is stuck to my studio wall.
5 Ed Gains screen-printed poster print
I brought this for the colour combos, because she's a vampire and because I like Ed Gains' work. I like the print effect and finish of a screened poster and always appreciate a good band poster and album art.
6 Music videos
Three to four-minute visual feasts, throwing at you art, graphic, fashion, lighting, animation, performance, whatever. They portray a diverse display of people's ideas, all to music. I'm hooked; C4's Added this Week has been sucking me in, as has YouTube.
7 DEM Penny knitted treasure earrings/Ruby trunk ring
Two collections of my work, DEM Jewellery, in stores now. DEM Penny, a collaboration, completely about chain, with the talented Penny Sage, and Ruby jewels is a design contract with Ruby. Working on both of these is exciting as it feeds new stuff and means I get to put out and satisfy a variety of design influences.
8 Jose Bribiesca jewellery
I used to work for Jose - he is this incredibly interesting, Mexican-born, Texas-raised 70ish-year old jewellery designer/architect. His cool jewels are chromed structures with great perspex colours, first made in the 70s, stopped and restarted this decade. He's had exhibitions in the United States, Mexico, Europe and long associations with New Zealand designers World, and NZ galleries. I love him and his chihuahua named Zorro.
9 Early 80s sci-fi thriller movie/TV design
My favourites include Blade Runner - the design is fantastic; set decoration, costume, lighting, all of it. And V - it's not as slick, but the memory of watching has stuck with me since childhood. Mad Max, same coolness. Total Recall in 1990 and Quantum Leap in 1989, extending the bracket a little. I blame my friend Charlotte for influencing me on this stuff more. It's not really jewellery-related but feels like an old design crush turning up.
10 Family and friends
Not a specific design thing but inspiring for the things they teach me and make me think, good and bad. I'm sure it all mixes up in there and comes out somehow. I can't live without them and am very grateful that I have them.
