The Cindy Edelstein Memorial Emerging Designer Award | Hannah Alpert, Hannah Allene Designs, Inc.
Hannah Alpert’s upbringing was immersed in the arts, which paved the way for an appreciation of world cultures and meaningful designs. Her father is an Indonesian art expert, and her own home in Dallas was full of some of these treasures. Her parents had a strict rule to safeguard them: “No bouncy balls in the house,” she recollects.
She was permitted, however, to enjoy the hobby of making jewelry, an interest she acquired during high school. “I made jewelry for friends,” says Alpert.
In college, she kept making jewelry as a side hustle while serious pursuits mirrored her internationally inspired homelife; she studied diplomacy, world a airs and Spanish literature with a minor in linguistics. But after someone purchased one of her jewelry designs, second thoughts surfaced about a career path, followed by an opportunity to move to New York City. Could this have been a sign to shift gears?
She took it as one and landed a position in product development with one of the big names in fine jewelry. That experience became a graduate school of sorts, where she gained an intimate understanding of what it takes to operate a well-honed jewelry brand.
After three years there, another opportunity arose to move to Singapore. Once there, she decided to create her own brand steeped in an appreciation for culture, primitive art, and stories.
Today, her line is largely made in yellow gold with strategically placed gemstones and rich backstories. For example, pieces in Thor(vi) are inspired by both a Danish niece and desire to make “a beautiful hammer” and the harmony present within symbols of strength. A Comet collection captures the magical energy of personal adornment. All her work celebrates universal themes and how light interacts with form.
“I embrace jewelry as a non-gender-conforming means of expression that is thoughtful in use of materials and presents as understated symbols of elegance.”
THOR(VI) HALF HAMMER PENDANT and Thor(vi) Chain Link necklace in 18K yellow gold with a 2.9-carat peridot and diamonds (0.04 TCW), $10,800
THE VITALIS AURORA DROP EARRINGS in 18K satin-fi nished rose gold with removable 20 mm by 16 mm cultured baroque freshwater pink pearls and Malaya garnets (0.45 TCW) took 1st Place in BEST PEARL JEWELRY OVER $5,000 and retail for $12,750.
THOR(VI) OPEN CUFF in 18K yellow gold with G-H-color, VSclarity diamonds (0.50 TCW), $9,800
