Kat Gee's favourite things reflect her quirky jeweller's aesthetic.
Kat Gee is celebrating five years of her jewellery label Kagi this month, as well as launching a new range, dubbed Infinity. The former graphic designer started the label in 2006, and has since created a bold aesthetic that's all her own - quirky jewellery made largely from semi-precious coloured gemstones and pearls. Gee, who will celebrate the brand's birthday with a special party in Auckland tomorrow night, tells Viva about some of her favourite things - many of them made of gemstones, of course.
10 FAVOURITE THINGS
1. Art Nouveau a la Trade Me coffee table
I saw this rough diamond on Trade Me and knew instantly it had the bones of something beautiful. A coat of black lacquer paint later and a new glass lid and this table was transformed. It now has pride of place in my lounge and reminds me daily that a little Kiwi ingenuity goes a long way.
2. My Burmese cat Samson
He's missing a tail from a rendezvous with a car but what he lacks he makes up in love! He's an affectionate little rascal who loves nothing more than an after work cuddle, a police-dog-like attack on post-shower legs and chasing you down the street when you go for runs.
3. German bank note
I bought this 1914 German bank note for a bargain $2 at a secondhand market in Dunedin. Shortly afterwards I was travelling the Rhine Valley in Germany and saw the very same note on display in a museum in a 14th century castle - now that's crazy! I love to think about who would have0 owned this note in wartime Germany and how it made its way to NZ.
4. Onyx tiger
I first laid eyes on this black beauty in Hong Kong and fell in love with it instantly. This is probably my most frivolous purchase ever but was worth every penny of the $1000 freight bill to get it into the country.
5. Chinese hand painted vase
I watched the artist painstakingly decorate this vase from the inside out using an incredibly tiny paintbrush. It takes huge skill and attention to detail to make something so beautiful when under such restrictions. I totally admired the guy's talent and after he had finished painting it, I bought it on the spot.
6. Kagi real pearl necklace
I am hardly ever seen without my Kagi freshwater pearl necklace. It looks great with every outfit and I can instantly reinvent it by adding different pendants. Every pearl is unique which makes the necklace that extra bit special and loveable.
7. Arles Mosaic bull
I bought this on a recent trip to Provence. One day, my family and I piled into a rental van and visited the many old towns in the area. One of the most memorable towns was the rambling Arles and in particular I was fascinated by the Roman arena in the town centre. I didn't go to any of the bullfights - I'm not a fan of animal cruelty - but couldn't go past this wee memento.
8. My grandma's opal ring
This ring was one of my grandma's favourites and every time I wear it it reminds me of her. She hugely shaped part of my life and inspired my to follow my dreams and create my business. I always used to love fossicking through her jewellery box as a child.
9. Louis Ghost chairs by Phillippe Starck
So simple, classic and sympathetic to any space they inhabit. These were my first big furniture purchase and have stood the test of time.
10. Fool's Gold paperweight
I am a magpie, drawn to shiny things, so this paperweight made from pyrite (also called Fool's Gold) instantly caught my eye. Native Americans believed they could look into one's soul when peering into a polished piece of pyrite. I find the naturally formed microcosm of shapes enchanting and love the idea that this stone can help link the left and right side of the brain.
