mood board #2
When going through the designs for the Nosotros collection I knew I wanted pieces that made enough of a statement to stand alone yet classic enough in the silhouette that it could be layered and draped over a sea of gold.
This is a special collection because each piece reminds me of the jewelry worn by my family when I was a child. From the signet ring to the classic hinge bangle… all of them ridden with nostalgia.
Nostalgia is interesting. Because you may not be able to see it but holy fuck can you feel it… Nosotros is a song that was written in the 1940’s by Pedro Junco, and I am sharing this song with you because it is the easiest way for me to properly explain the weight of nostalgia. Specifically the weight of nostalgia in objects gifted to us by the people we love.
My most prized possession, gifted to me by mi abuelito Berna.
A sterling silver cuban link chain with a ceylon blue gemstone pendant, I was 12 years old.. and saw it hanging on my tio’s neck; I had to have it. So shortly after we left my tio’s house, I softly asked mi abuelito if we could find something similar at a nearby market in Tlaltizapan. He just dismissed me.
The following day he shows up with a little white wax paper bag with his brother’s chain, I was ecstatic… That was probably my fondest memory of him.
My grandfather recently passed & all I’m sitting here left with is that chain he gifted me and regret. Regret for allowing the estranged relationship I have with my father keep me from visiting him and learning more from him.
Today my dad called me at 4:51pm and I would tell you what he said but I didn’t answer. I never do.
Forcing you to listen to Nosotros is a way for me to explain the delicate lining of an estranged relationship.
When I received the photos from this shoot I was impressed (as always) with what was captured. You can feel the presence of each individual in the photos, no one falling into the background as group shoots tend to do. What is hard to miss is the beautiful rigidity.. almost like a familial tension.
As I went through each image I heard the strings of Nosotros strum up, the Jose Feliciano version, and I sang each word stopping in between to ugly cry.
