Liz Goldwyn at Kabiri

Liz Goldwyn has worked in fashion, art and photography since the age of sixteen. She has produced major fashion shows and art installations, helped establish the fashion department at Sotheby’s New York, and was a global consultant for Shiseido America. She writes feature articles for major magazines. Her documentary film on burlesque queens, Pretty Things debuted in July 2005 on HBO; her book by the same name was published in October 2006 by Regan, and will be available in the UK in November.

In 2002 Liz launched an eponymous line of one of a kind jewellery. She sources all the links and hardware used in the necklaces from antique metal and enamel circa 1920-70. The obsidian arrowheads are antique (circa 1910) from Sioux reservations and feature electroformed 24k. gold. The electroforming process, done by hand, burns gold with special chemistry to create a “bubbled” effect.

Liz’s copper collection is inspired by a frontier story of how mining camp prostitutes were paid for their services for the evening: there would be a double-sided scale on the bar. The lady would stand on one side, and the miners, reaching into their pockets for gold nuggets would place them on the other. When the scales were even, the price for the night was confirmed—hence, the expression “ worth your weight in gold.”

The Copper Nugget set is made from solid old California mining copper circa 1900. Copper is an important metal with many beneficial properties. Its energy is receptive and it is said to hold powers of healing, luck, love, protection and money. Copper balances the body’s energy while stimulating metabolism and blood flow. Copper is worn to relieve rheumatism and arthritis. The Copper will tarnish with exposure to the elements and to the body’s natural oils. These pieces are meant to have the natural patina which improves with age.

Liz’s inspiration comes from many disciplines, including biology, chemistry and history, as research is an essential part of her creative process.