SOMA Magazine SOMA Film and Music Issue Aug 15 | Page 16

Future Stars of Fashion

AYK
text by joa bohorquez

“Ceramics is my language” - Anna Yuh Krengel, San Francisco
artist and Central Saint Martins graduate explains as she takes us
through her innovative work for AYK in jewelry ceramic design.
AYK Ceramics constructs its collections with detailed handcrafted designs that are a translation of relics that were once
created by influential ancient power women. The “MUSE”inspired collections have stories behind them surrounded by
cultural artifacts, catacombs, ceremonies in ancient rituals,
gemstones in skeletons, bones, and are essentially interpretations of historical intriguing craftsmanship in relics.
AYK designs statement pieces with unique personality. While
making everything with natural materials such as porcelain, clay,
and stoneware, Anna uses these elements based on their qualities to hold color and their ability to be used with modern glass
gemstones while adding chic rose gold chains and details for a
sophisticated touch.
Potentiana Hammerl inspires her latest collection
“Potentiana”; named after the outstanding Roman crafter who
devoted her life to adorn skeletons and ribcages with precious
stones while celebrating beauty, glory and the unknown. The
interesting hand-carved ceramic accessories have a beautiful
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Middle Eastern inspired color pallet, which is hand-painted and
kiln fired five times, then delicately assembled with red and blue
glass components.
Her innovative work in ceramic design explores assumptions about the material, a perspective that produces delightful
and oftentimes surprising results. Anna has chosen to design
after the muses who had a powerful sense of dedication to their
passions, and who were in pursuit of something greater than
themselves. “These women lived life before my time; it’s so
much easier to be an independent woman today, but during their
lifetime it was much more of a struggle, yet they stayed true to
themselves and powered through” explains Anna.
“I interpret design based on the intangible, like a sound or an
emotion.” Her ceramics evolve contemporarily while creating
bold, and yet feminine statement pieces that become accents
of art in fashion with a strong identity that represents a vision
of whomever is wearing it. It’s an expression of identity of self.
AYK ceramics fosters a language between people about
individuality and educated forward thinking perspectives with
creative progression with the adorned intricate designs are timeless accessories with unique energy and personality.