Who Is Simon Cardwell?
Posted Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 10:32AM
After carving out nature’s icons in recycled materials and precious gems, Simon Cardwell clearly isn’t your average treehugger. He’s captured a back-to-nature philosophy with an inspiring jewelry collection, and endangered species around the world are now shining under his platinum (and gold) spotlight.
Cheeky Monkey Jewelry is just one of the designer’s contributions to the world of green, and celebrities and ecocasters alike have come to adore his sculptured creations. We found him rounding up some precious collections on ThisNext, so we put on our English charms to find out what this cheeky jewelry maker is carving up next:
TN: What do you think about green being the new black?
SC: It makes me happy to be asked this: It shows a shift in consumer attitudes. But being green should not be just a trend. Styles change, style doesn’t.
TN: Why did you decide to make your jewelry out of recycled materials?
SC: Using recycled materials is one of the most ecologically responsible choices a designer can make. I saw the opportunity to reduce my reliance on mined gold and instead focus on the vast resources which are already available.
TN: Does it often surprise people your jewelry is recycled?
SC: All the time! They are often shocked because they don’t see gold and silver as something people recycle. But there is enough gold already mined and above ground to last the jewelry industry for the next 50 years!
TN: Any sneak previews you can share with ThisNext readers?
SC: Tigers and snow leopards are beautiful but also seriously endangered. Look for them this spring, along with some wonderful rare flower earrings.
TN: Biggest response a product of yours has received from consumers?
SC: The seahorse and owl have been quite the hits. And Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussy Cat Dolls, wears her endangered Tree Hole Crab pendant all the time; her star sign is Cancer.
TN: The product that’s had the biggest influence on your design?
SC: Sir David Attenborough’s BBC wildlife DVD’s. They capture a unique insight into our fragile planet—like the footage of the rarely-seen snow leopard, one of our planet’s rarest animals.
TN: If you were a product, you’d be a __
SC: Lip salve—I’d be on everyones lips!
TN: Your favorite product discovery in the last six months… Or something that inspired you?
SC: My new D200 Nikon camera.
TN: Most prized possession?
SC: My guitar.
TN: A product love secret you’re too embarrassed to share?
SC: My wife’s sugar body scrub from Sabon.
TN: Name an item under your bed?
SC: Our cat, Junior.
TN: Something in your closet that is not apparel, shoes, bags, etc.?
SC: Sleeping bag.
TN: Fav trend for Fall?
SC: Smoky quartz and onyx?
TN: Least fav trend for Fall?
SC: Python skin handbags.
TN: Can’t leave home without my____?
SC: Treo.
TN: City or suburbs?
SC: The mountains.
TN: Loft or the perfect house with the white picket fence?
SC: Loft.
TN: Flip-flops or sneakers?
SC: Flip-flops
TN: Coffee or tea?
SC: Tea (I’m English).
TN Interviews
post to del.icio.us
digg this
post to netscape
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments