Kodes are statement jewellery pieces, handmade in Tottenham, London by Morena Fiore since 2015. They are the perfect jewellery for the modern, independent woman, who likes to express herself, her creativity and personality; who likes to be bold and quirky and make a statement through jewellery.
They include laser cut acrylic geometric jewellery, hand painted wooden geometric pieces, as well as necklaces made with silicone beads. They are all light and yet make a statement, being quirky and bold.
Kodes is born from a need for affordable investment jewellery pieces, the perfect statement necklace that packs a punch, the item that you would wear at an interview, where you’re still dressing conservatively but you want to still express your creativity and personality.
The perfect jewellery to express yourself
I have had Alopecia Universalis since I was 10, I was left with no control over my hair.
Through the years I eventually made peace with my condition and I think I found in jewellery the way to express myself and my creativity (which I couldn’t express through styling my hair).
I then realised other women around me were using jewellery to do exactly the same, for different reasons.
Affordable luxury
Kodes also represents a little rebellion inside me towards growing up in a society in South Italy where everyone strived to wear the same designer items.
I learned that luxury can be an item which is handmade, with love and care, by a designer maker rather than a high street brand or a designer brand in a factory.
I met lots of talented designer makers and learned that luxury can be exactly that: that item that nobody else will find on the high street, that you can request to be customised and made unique; your little affordable investment that doesn’t break the bank but still makes such a statement and allows you to be unique, bold and express your creativity.
The Hand Painted Wooden Geometric jewellery
Morena started painting wooden beads in 2015. Initially, it was to match a pair of earrings she had bought in plain block colours. With the years she has developed the textures she paints, taking inspiration from interiors and her upbringing in Southern Italy. She has painted Marble, Granite, Leopard and Terrazzo.
'I've been exploring different textures for my hand painted jewellery and found in Terrazzo, a very old flooring technique which dates back to the ancient Egypt the perfect surface to reproduce. I loved how it has been part of my upbringing, it was everywhere on floors and tiles in Italy, so I decided to bring it back to modern days on my jewellery, creating modern colour combinations, inspired to tropical settings and interiors."
The beads are painted with Acrylic paint and varnished with wood varnish. They are then added on waxed cotton cord, which is kind to skin. Wear and tear will damage the paint with the years, so it’s recommended that the necklaces are kept away from the sun and stored separately from any other jewellery to avoid them damaging and scratching the surface. It’s also recommended not to wear the necklaces with any perfume, cream, makeup or sun cream around the neck.
The hoops are brass plated in Platinum. They’re nickel free. An additional sterling silver hook or sterling silver hoop can be added on request.
Laser Cut Acrylic jewellery
When I set to design the Art Deco collection, I knew it would be for the woman who wants to be elegant, but still be quirky and bold.
It still encompasses the quirky clashes (like the elegant rose gold and the awkward off brown), but showcases unapologetic perspex acrylic dressed in sterling silver and 22 carat gold vermeil (gold plated) findings.
Each item is bold, edgy and still elegant thanks to the mirror finishes.
The design is thoroughly inspired by Art Deco, especially Architecture and there are echoes of the 80s. The strong geometric lines instead, shout firmly they are items for the modern woman who likes to make a statement without breaking the bank.
The items are designed by me, Morena, get laser cut in North London and assembled by me.