I had made the choice before even finishing school so I was fortunate to study in the right places and have time to hone my design and making skills through my education.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I was born in Greece and knew from an early age, around 15, that I was passionate about jewelry. After having finished school I enrolled in a 3-year jewelry-making course in Athens and completed my studies with a 2year MA at the Royal College of Art in London.
After graduating I worked as a freelance designer for a London-based company and in 2010 I decided to set up my eponymous company focusing on contemporary pearl jewelry. In 2012 the Japanese jewelry house Tasaki offered me to create a joint brand which has been a huge success and is still ongoing. These days I work on M/G TASAKI pieces, unique creations for private clients through my own brand and I am a visiting lecturer at Central Saint Martins in London.
2. When and how did you decide to pursue accessory designing in particular?
I had made the choice before even finishing school so I was fortunate to study in the right places and have time to hone my design and making skills through my education.
3. What makes your brand stand out?
A unique focus on pearls and mother of pearl, creating pieces that defy trends, an individual voice that is instantly recognizable as my own.
4. How do you maintain positivity and avoid creative block?
For me, I have always felt a creative flow that sometimes runs faster and sometimes runs slower. I used to get anxious when I had no ideas but I realized over time that I need to allow myself time for good ideas to mature and come to me.
I can't say that I have ever experienced creative block fortunately but I would advise anyone having one, not to stress and instead keep busy doing other things, reading books, sketching, or playing with materials to allow freedom in their thoughts.
5. Who is your favorite designer and why?
I can't name just one, over the course of my jewelry life I have looked up and been inspired by Lalique, Line Vautrin, Taffin, Alice Cicolini, Lin Cheung, and most recently Angela Cummings.
6. What tips and advice would you give to aspiring designers?
Work extremely hard, grab every opportunity and find your voice.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
The Jewels of Lalique by Flammarion because was the first-ever jewelry book that was ever given to me and inspired me to become a jeweler.
Jeweler Melanie Georgacopoulos is by nature a storyteller. With a background in
sculpture, she works with materials in new ways to release their potential and stimulate new interpretations. She began her exploration of the pearl during her Master’s degree at the RCA in 2007, after which she worked as a freelance designer under Antoine Sandoz for major international brands, before establishing her eponymous label in 2010.
In Melanie’s work, the paradoxical, intriguing nature of pearls and mother of pearl is at the core of every piece, whilst the aesthetic remains simple, structured, and timeless. She continually strives to challenge the existing preconceptions of these organic materials and that of traditional jewelry design itself. It is this unique approach that has given her the opportunity to showcase her pieces regularly at fairs, exhibitions, and galleries worldwide.
Melanie became well known internationally for her work with pearls, leading to her
collaboration with TASAKI, which began in 2013. Directional line M/G TASAKI was born, marring Melanie’s flair to cross design boundaries with the Japanese jewelry company's world-renowned craftsmanship. Following the huge success of the seasonal collections, Melanie was appointed Head Designer for M/G TASAKI in 2015. She has been a visiting lecturer at Central Saint Martins for the last four years whilst she continues to create her own collections and one-off pieces for special projects.
Interviewed By - Anshika Maurya
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