Vincent Michel

Jewellery maker

©Etienne Dione

Swiss traditions fuelled by imagination

Vincent is a prodigy in fine jewellery crafting
He values the Swiss tradition of jewellery making
His workshop opens onto his boutique

Having always loved nature and precious stones, it was with great joy that 12 year-old Vincent accepted a three-day training course with a jewellery maker, a passion that never left him after that. After winning the Swiss jewellers' championship age 19, he opened his own boutique and workshop in the heart of Lausanne when he was 26. It is a place of true visual discovery: all the pieces of jewellery sold are made by Vincent and his team. The workshop gives on to the showroom, which allows us to witness their craftsmanship while appreciating the completed pieces. Vincent's jewellery creations each have a story to tell: from a flight of bees to the cathedrals of Lausanne and Fribourg, from Lake Léman to fireworks. Vincent's imagination guides his creations.

Interview

©Johann Sauty

What is so appealing about handcrafted jewellery making to you?: I think it is the mix between the technical and the artistic. To stand out from the crowd you have to make something more unique, and that involves both of those skills. It is a game between the constraints of both and finding a harmony.
Are there any techniques that you prefer?: The life of a craftsperson is made up of techniques and tricks, and we learn techniques all our lives. But traditional jewellery making starts with a hammer and an anvil, for cold forging. A lot of the pieces I make are cold forged on the anvil.
Where do you find inspiration?: I love the seasons and nature, like the chaos of a flight of bees which reminds me of my parents' garden. Sometimes the inspiration also comes from the stone itself, or from architecture.
What is your advice to people interested in jewellery making?: In Switzerland we have a legacy of high-end jewellery making with ancient techniques, and a teaching and learning model that is excellent. It is good to evolve with modern techniques, but without forgetting where you come from.

Vincent Michel is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2009