26 INTERVIEW


Sandrine Tessier Bedazzles


Sandrine Tessier is a Parisien bespoke jewellery designer whose work oozes elegance and luxury Paris is known for. So without further ado let’s get our bling on for a Hotminute with Sandrine Tessier.


HM: You come from a family of jewellers, so was jewellery design a natural progression or did you ever want to do something else?


Yes my grandfather was a jeweler, but it was not my aim to follow in his footsteps at the start. I wanted to work in genetics and create new orchids! I changed my mind around the age of 17 with the help of my father, I thank him a lot for that.


HM: How did you become a jewellery designer?


I had always loved drawing, this comes from my mother who is a great designer, I draw everywhere from notebooks to paper napkins!


I started out at the ‘Rue du Louvre’, the famous French school for jewellery. After graduating I started “my career” in an atelier working as a maquetist on ‘Place Vendôme’ pieces, then started my own business. I still work freelance


for well known brands but I also love creating pieces for my own customers!


HM: What inspires your collections and


designs?


I would say life in general, from nature and architecture, to the people I meet every day.


Inspiration also comes from flowers, perfume, a feeling, a stone, a pearl.


HM: Tell us about your jewellery making process


With bespoke fine jewelry it begins from a blank page and a meeting with the customer. We discuss what


they want (shapes, materials etc …if they have ideas), then I start sketching.


At the second meet I present coloured drawings, for approval of shape and stones. It’s usually at the end of this meeting that the decision is made on which jewels to use. At the third meet I present the finished painted drawing to scale. At the end of this third appointment we’re ready to go into production. That


means wax


carving or working


directly on metal. It all depends on the shape, stone setting, polishing… This is all done in my atelier.


The last meeting is the most exciting when I give the box (and the painting design of the jewelry piece). When my customers open it with the biggest smile, I know that I’ve done my job!


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