People
Sandro Sherents: an architect of silver
Sandro Sherents is an architect by education and a jeweller by vocation. Both women and men like his pointedly rough silver designs. Even museum curators choose his jewelries for the displays.
– Could you please tell about yourself? What is your educational background? Is “Sandro Sherents” a pseudonym or a real name?
– I was born in Tbilisi, Alexandre Sherents is my full name, everybody calls me Sandro ever since I was little. The question about the reality of my name is widespread enough, so no, – it is not a pseudonym. In 1995 my parents moved to Moscow. I finished school and entered the university. I hold a degree in architecture, I graduated from Moscow Institute of Architecture. After graduation I worked in different architect bureaus to gain experience carrying out private projects. In 2012 Oleg, my friend and partner, and I established the architect bureau SHAR PROJECT, majoring in public space design, small architectural forms, country estate and object design. Several years ago I got into jewelry (its history and production), it lead me to creation of my own brand SANDRO SHERENTS.
– How did the idea to create your own brand come to your mind?
– Studying architecture takes almost all my time which I didn’t have for other hobbies and activities, switching me over from my basic occupation. Several years ago I got to know that British Higher School of Art and Design opened new courses on jewelry design. I have always been attracted by jewelries, from time to time I made them myself to order. There were several coincidences in my life and I decided to have interview taking some of my designs with me, and I was accepted. In general, I was quick on the uptake what I want in terms of education, what knowledge I lack for the full cycle jewelry production and tried effectively fullfill these gaps. Fortunately, BHSAD teachers are jewellers with world experience – Vladimir Markin (M.A.R.K.I.N), Igor Komov (ALCHEMIA), Ekaterina Sisfontes(AgAuAtelje, SisKaDesign), and there was a chance to exchange experience. For example, I visited Ekaterina in Switzerland where she works and lives. Going through all these processes, I started to make designs personally more interesting for me – it has always been my main motivation – these designs began to attract other people. Later on I had to – in good sense of this word – stop being selfish and start to share.
– You basically work with silver. Why silver? What are the advantages?
– Silver attracts me aesthetically. Its colour, characteristics, the way it is worked and reacts to actions with it and finally looks like after all steps of work.
– How do you achieve brutal, pointedly rough style of jewels?
– it’s achieved initially – with the help of design and desire to create a thing with visual and tactile aspects. Then, during the production, there are series of decisions and methods of impact on product. It’s the process which should be planed from the very beginning of jewelry creation.
– Your jewelries have been displayed in The State Historical Museum (Moscow) on the exhibition “Handsome man: Elegant Russian in the second half of the XVII – beginning of the XX century”. Could you please tell about this event?
– It was a fascinating exhibition, displaying outfits and men’s personal appliances from 18th century up to present days. Alongside with men’s wear, there were musquets, watches, cigar cases, men’s jewelry. The exhibition curator was Alexander Vassiliev, famous fashion historian, art historian and scene- designer. I was invited and recommended for the participation by BHSAD as its graduate and as a men’s jewelry designer working in the neoclassic manner. It was an unusual and pleasant experience for me. I’m grateful to The Historical State Museum and British Higher School of Art and Design for their confidence.
– Are your jewelry designs created only for men or girls can wear them too?
– It may seem at first sight that only men should wear my designs, but it’s not like that. There’s a high percentage of women who like what I create. On the whole, gender doesn’t matter much in this case for me – almost every single jewelry piece can be adapted. For example, a ring of one and the same design is differently seen on women and men due to the proportions and sizes. In addition, men and women have different attitude to jewels: for women it’s more like an accessory, a piece of outfit, accenting their beauty; while for men jewelry is a thing to show the mood and character. Globally, I prefer bespoke service for every client and piece of jewelry.
– What is SANDRO SHERENTS philosophy ?
– I would characterise it with several points: originality, individuality, connection with nature, brutalism.