Jelena Behrend

Jelena Behrend (born 1968[1]) is a Serbian-born American jewelry designer based out of the Lower East Side in New York City. Described as fashion forward by New York (magazine),[2] her hammered pieces have been seen on Hollywood celebrities and in feature films.[3]

Jelena Behrend
Born1968 (age 5455)
Serbia
NationalityAmerican
OccupationJewelry Designer
Known forHammered chains
Websitehttps://www.jelenabehrendstudio.com

Early life and education

Originally a writer from Serbia, Behrend transitioned to jewelry making when she emigrated to the United States in 1988.[4] Unable to pursue a career in writing, she turned to the visual arts to express herself. Having acquired some technical skills when she was younger, Behrend was able to train with a master jeweler in Los Angeles before returning to New York City to open her first studio on Catharine Street.[5] She began by making wholesale jewellery for large department stores and then decided to focus on more personal pieces in 1996. Prior to owning her current namesake studio, she co-owned the Oxygène Collectif atelier with former Wilhelmina model Maria Luisa Mosquera.[1][6][7]

Career

Her hand-forged, hand-hammered, and hand-carved jewelry is of Hollywood´s most memorable characters.[5] Behrend is known in fashion circles for her handmade gender blurring jewelry, featured in many magazine layouts[8][9] and also seen in the film The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.[10] Her pieces have been worn by Madonna, Lenny Kravitz and Gwyneth Paltrow,[11] and are sold in high end boutiques or are custom made.[3] Relying on recycled metals, all of Behrend's work is hand forged using old tools. Her signature pieces are hammered chains that eschew mass-production and were inspired by the jewelry worn by European gypsies.[12][4]

In 2008 Behrend produced a storefront installation with the artist Lisa Kirk, designed for a special edition of the fragrance Revolution.[13][14]

Live FAST Magazine describes Behrend's pieces as being raw and edgy, stating that she "..holds true to the purest idea of an artisan".[15] Her technique also reveals a soulful approach to jewelry making. According to Behrend,"My biggest fear is that it is finished. You have to know when to stop. It has to still be alive."[5] In 2011, the Fitzroy Gallery located in Soho, Manhattan paid tribute to Behrend's methodology by exhibiting various videos, assemblages, and photographs regarding her work.[16]

References

  1. "Risky Business". www.villagevoice.com. March 2, 1999.
  2. "Jelena Behrend Studio". NYMag.com.
  3. Abrams, Melanie (November 21, 2017). "His, Hers and Theirs: Jewelry Crosses the Gender Barrier". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 21, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  4. Publishing, Here (June 10, 1997). "The Advocate". Here Publishing via Google Books.
  5. Studios, Vanity Fair (December 7, 2015). "Artisan Craft: Jelena Behrend Forges Bold Directions in Jewelry". Vanity Fair.
  6. Staff, WWD (May 20, 1999). "Article May 20, 1999".
  7. Studios, Vanity Fair (December 7, 2015). "Artisan Craft: Jelena Behrend Forges Bold Directions in Jewelry". Vanities. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  8. Staff, Hollywood Life (November 2, 2011). "Jessica Biel Looks Sexy In White For 'Elle' Magazine!".
  9. "Supermodel Carolyn Murphy Redefines Her Role". April 4, 2016.
  10. Maurer, Sarah (September 13, 2012). "Jelena Behrend: Made of Metal [later retitled: "Fashion Radar: Q&A With Jelena Behrend"]". livefastmag.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  11. "Jelena Behrend Studio". NYMag.com. January 27, 2018. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  12. McGinley, Alexandra (February 7, 1999). "NEW YORKERS & CO.; Custom Jewelry Designed With Help From Gypsies". The New York Times via NYTimes.com.
  13. "LISA KIRK | Revolution! (SmartSpaces)". INVISIBLE-EXPORTS. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  14. "REVOLUTION PIPE BOMB, Lisa Kirk and Jelena Behrend | Artspace.com". Artspace. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  15. Mag, Live Fast. "Live FAST Magazine – The Best of Fashion, Art, Sex and Travel » Fashion Radar: Q&A With Jelena Behrend". livefastmag.com.
  16. "Fitzroy Gallery". fitzroygallery.com. July 19, 2011. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2018.


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