A Quick Q&A with Solange Azagury-Partridge

The Bi-Star ring as seen from above.

Much like Athena, who was born fully formed from the head of Zeus, Solange Azagury-Partridge has built a career as jewlery designer who balances a warrior like attitude towards bucking traditional fine jewelry interpretations with the wisdom of a woman who knows in her bones that her creative vision will speak to others. 

An autodidact artist, her illustrious career began in the boldest way possible, her first piece of jewelry was her own engagement ring. From that auspicious start her idiosyncratic oeuvre has found its way into the permanent collections of both the prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum in London as well as the Les Arts Décoratifs at the Louvre in Paris. 

Besides creating vibrant jewelry, Solange has expanded her reach into the world of interior designs. Her striking rugs, neon wall art and provocative objets d’art have become collectors items for those who like artwork designed to be conversational starters. Currently one of her thought provoking pieces “The Secret Garden” is on display at Le Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris as part of the Medusa exhibit (May 18th to November 5th) celebrating contemporary jewlery that explores taboo subject matters. 

Here Solange tells us all about her motto for the year, her dream dinner guests and how being a stay at home mom helped to launch her career. 

The Tri-Di ring’s colorful profile.

Q: How did you first get interested in fashion?

A: I appreciate fashion but would say my main interests lie in Art and design, philosophy, science.

Q: What was your big break?

A: It probably wouldn’t be described as my big break but I designed my own engagement ring.  It was a Bombe gold ring with a rough diamond set at an angle.   I was 25 and wanted something a little less serious than the engagement rings on offer at the time… friends began commenting on it and I started gathering commissions…

Q: What made you finally decide to launch out on your own and create your brand?

A: I suppose I had the luxury of staying at home with my young son until he was 5 and I experimented with designing, manufacturing, selling jewellery during this time. When he was 5, I opened my first shop.

Q: Who inspires you?

A: Rene Lalique, my hardworking mother, The Queen (another hardworking woman), my children, husband, friends, science, nature, art, philosophy…

Petals of precious stones make up Solange’s Flower ring.

Q: Who living or dead would you love to be able to have dinner with?

A: Stevie Wonder, George Michael, William Morris, Elizabeth Taylor,  Rene Lalique, Jane Austen, Dr Lyall Watson, Carravaggio, Timothy Leary, Mozart,  Elvis, The Queen

Q: What is your favorite trip?

A: A weekend trip to Somerset with my family; lots of long walks, reading, lunches  and dinners with friends, baking, getting cosy in front of a fire.

Q: When are you happiest?

A: When my family are all home together sleeping under one roof.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing?

A: I am currently designing a new collection for the end of the year, moving shops, and offices in New York and London, plus a few other projects .

What woman wouldn’t want to dock with Solange’s Space Station ring?

Q: What is your secret talent?

A: Singing.

Q: What is your motto or the best piece of advice you ever got?

A: I write a statement in the front of my diary that I try to live by every year.  This year my motto is: if it’s not fun I’m not doing it…..

Q: What emoji do you use the most?

A: The double pink heart.

Q: What is the latest Instagram feed you decided to follow?

A: @artgarments,  it depicts beautiful clothes and jewellery from old paintings.

Jessica Michault

Jessica Michault is the Senior Vice President of industry relations at GPS Radar by Launchmetrics. She is also the editor-at-large for ODDA magazine and contributes to publications like the New York Times, the Business of Fashion, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Mixte magazine.