PRINCIPIUM speaks to the idea of core values and principles each of us develops over time. When all is said and done, when a decision needs to be made, this is where we find answers — within our values and ideals. This collection, intentionally devoid of ornamental patterns and complicated forms, aims to highlight the essence of what it is made of – hundreds and thousands of tiny beads.
Though simple like a black dress, PRINCIPIUM pieces have a lot to say. And the meaning of that message is mostly deeply personal to each of the wearers. Thus, individual pieces are meant to serve as reminders and “notes to self” about what matters the most, rather than as decorative accessories alone. This deeply personal effect can be achieved by layering with other collections and by inter-mixing pieces within the PRINCIPIUM.
To be who we truly are is akin to be adorned with the most precious of gems. The word GEMMATUM comes from the Latin “gemmatus” which means to be adorned with precious stones. In line with PORTOMEA values of inner wisdom, the real gems lie within the beauty of our own inner essence. So while we choose beautiful pieces to wear, they can only highlight what we already are — precious gems of creation. This collection introduces a textured raised central element to the already familiar shapes and forms, and it invites the wearer to attend to the very core of who they are, the value they bring to the world, the light of their uniqueness.
So much of what we do on a daily basis (and even go through in life on a bigger scale) can make us feel disconnected from our purpose and meaning. We may experience resistance and blocks that dull our sparkle and hide the brilliance of our own light. But when we know deeply that we are valuable and precious, then in the process of living with intention —we become aware of our authentic self. To be who we truly are is akin to be adorned with the most precious of gems.
Derived from the Latin phrase “iterum atque iterum,” which means time and time again, comes a collection inspired by the idea of loops and repetitive actions that, when taken together, create something unexpected and new. One needs to look closely to see how tiny transitions and deviations, from one step to the next, create this gestalt. The whole picture communicates something bigger than the sum of its parts.
The ITERUM collection calls us to pay closer attention to something that so easily tends to be dismissed – a repetition, a pattern. As soon as something begins to repeat itself, it is in our nature to dismiss it as a nuisance. Yet, with proper consideration of what is in front of us, we may discover something elusive but important. Numerous cells taken together make a body, many attentive acts develop into a relationship, countless days taken together add up to a life… We are built to detect patterns and we are also made to ignore them. By keeping the shift between the whole and its parts in focus and by contemplating the seemingly “obvious,” we gain a new appreciation for the ordinary.
MEMENTO is the collection that speaks to the dimensions of memory. This vital cognitive capacity is like Ariadne’s Thread inside the labyrinth of life’s experiences. Like the reliable connection between one moment to the next, MEMENTO’s design is the connection of dots across the beaded plane. Trace it from one end of the design to the other…
Sometimes we rely on our ability to restore an idea or a thought to its initial state by mentally walking backwards from where we are in the moment and retracing our steps back to the place where we have started. The MEMENTO collection is challenging the notion that tokens and travel souvenirs are acquired for their social value, and instead is suggesting that their capacity to remind us of our experience holds the highest significance. In an ironic way, however, they also serve as an illusion that our memories and recollections will be readily accessible to us when we need them.
CURSUS takes its name from a Latin word for “course” and “running”. This collection represents directionality and commitment to one’s path. To stay the course means to honor one’s goals no matter the obstacles. The pieces in CURSUS collection feature an arrow-like design to serve as a reflection of this idea and be a token of that pledge to keep moving forward.
