Nicole Hana Kim

Goldsmith

The intentionally imperfect touch

Nicole creates pieces of jewellery
Her work is both playful and sculptural
Her work combines Korean aesthetics and Swiss precision

It was while working in another field that Nicole Hana Kim one day decided she wanted to do something meaningful with her hands, and started taking goldsmithing lessons. Three years later, in 2018, she was ready to present her first collection and has since continued to create in her workshop in Zurich. Taking inspiration from her roots, she brings together a Korean sense of design with her Swiss training in goldsmithing, resulting in meticulous, handmade pieces. "My pieces are playful, sculptural jewellery, that keep the making process still visible in the finished product," Nicole explains. Each piece of jewellery tells a unique story, and Nicole likes to impart a personal twist specific to the future bearer when creating bespoke pieces.

Interview

What brought you to jewellery making?: One day I realised I wanted to do something with my hands. I am fascinated by the material itself, how it behaves with fire or under pressure. I also find jewellery to be very personal, whether it is a gift, a treasure inherited or a little token and this in itself intrigues me.
How do tradition and innovation meet in your work?: Tools I use in my workshop are all very old and partially made by the goldsmiths I inherited them from, so working on contemporary designs with tools that already have a long history humbles me and puts my work in a traditional context.
What part of your craft do you most enjoy?: I really enjoy custom jewellery and incorporating some parts of the future bearer’s story. Often when meeting up with a customer I hear a personal story and try to weave something symbolic into the design of the piece, which links it to the wearer’s story.
What would you consider to be a well made piece?: Firstly it needs to be of lasting quality, taking into account how it is made and its design. The handmade aspect of the piece can be visible as a piece can be imperfect, and if intentionally imperfect, then it means it is well made.

Nicole Hana Kim is a rising star: she began her career in 2018