The curves, bends, style ebbs and flows of her pieces speak to different stories and it is fascinating to watch her tell the lineage behind her major pieces.
Meet Anna Ruth Henriques, a Jamaican jewellery designer now living in New York City. With an exemplary record of artistry, creativity and world experience, she has the ability to create transitional and versatile pieces that may be dressed up or down, bringing individual expression to a woman’s wardrobe.
Iceta Wright sat down for an interview with Henriques, whose goal is to empower women to be strong and resilient individuals, of course, doing so with style!
Henriques’s jewellery journey started when a friend simply wanted her companionship in a jewellery-making class. She recalls how encouraging her instructor was, pleased to have her as a student, since her hands, trained in draughtsmanship and painting, were naturally ready to mould the materials to create artistic and beautiful Jewellery. As fate would have it, she now has her very own line of fine jewellery.
One of her major accomplishments is creating a jewellery collection for a non-profit aiding Afghans. Her AAYENDA Jewellery line is based on the concept of an eight-point star as a symbol of hope in a war-torn country, using Afghan stones like lapis and turquoise. It has been a tremendous success around the world, if we may say so ourselves, selling thousands of pieces.
Henriques started out with her first collection in BARNEYS NY where she had to learn rapidly about the retail industry of which she knew nothing. This she credits to her ability to fit into any situation – an adaptability she developed while living in various countries after Jamaica from France, Spain, London, Tokyo and now, New York City.
“I knew nothing about retail, pricing or even the ability to create the vast number of orders they required, but as opportunity struck, I leapt in,” says Anna.
Anna Henriques’s collection is inspired by nature, authenticity, spirituality and all things Jamaican. Her focal point for her jewellery is the spider. Why? She views spiders as the epitome of a woman’s strength: they are Independent as they catch their own food, Creative in building an intricate and stylish web and Resilient in rebuilding their webs when destroyed. Powerful and inspiring indeed!
Her pieces, fashioned with her inner soul, are all made from natural materials from 14 karat gold, precious gemstones and pearls. Jamaica and the Caribbean are where her heart is.
She says,
“The warmth and soul of our very own Caribbean people cannot be replicated and that is the culture that I have lived on and thrive in.”
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #9, 2016 Issue.