Who started it? Brooklyn native Randi Mates started jewellery label Aesa five years ago. Coming from an academic background, Mates discovered her love for jewellery design while working as a historian of material culture. To supplement her studies with some hands-on experience, Mates enrolled in New York's Jewelry Arts Institute and began training as a classical Greek and Roman metalsmith. Jewellery design and craft became a passion and, within a year, she had launched her first collection. Today her creations are sold around the world and have been featured in magazines such as German Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Elle.
Why we love it: Aesa pieces are all handmade by Mates, who learnt to make jewellery without the aid of power tools. Finding inspiration in a wide range of sources, ranging from ancient weaponry to natural mineral formations, the jewellery references both antiquity and the modern world, and often incorporates a mix of materials such as bronze, silver, gold, pearl and gemstones. Mates' pieces possess a sculpture-like quality and are bold, charming and, at times, quirky.
What we'd pick: we love these simple pieces that resemble the laurel headdresses worn in ancient Greece. We love the black necklace (HK$5,900) and the more glamorous gold version (both above; HK$11,000).
Where can you get it? Aesa is available at Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, Central, tel: 3695 3388.