Fly Me To Jupiter: A Review
'Feminine expression clouded in masculine doubt, the virility of manhood threatened by feminine power, Feminine sphere of self-discovery retaliating against patriarchal entitlement, drawing strength from mythological deities, Feminine biological labels relinquished in the wake of astrology, starred maps since the beginning of time, Feminine thought enveloped in Gaelian moons, ragged craters metamorphose into feminine flaws, Feminine archetypes shredded by the canines of a wolf, glinting amber eyes peering into the darkness of masculinity'
Combining the eloquence of feminine form with the power of a gender-fluid deity,Kassandra Lauren Gordon's debut jewellery line 'Fly Me To Jupiter' draws inspiration from astrological and mythological deities. Grounded in feminine power each individual piece is lovingly hand-crafted and is named after unknown women who possessed authority throughout different eras in time. Represented as angular shapes, Gordon hones the powerful energy that we find in deities and transforms them into sharp-cut pieces, a symbol of the unharnessable nature of the female 'body'. Instead Gordon moves away from traditional expectations of feminine expression and contentrates on symbolic rather than aesthetic value. In other words each ring, necklace or bangle has a hidden narrative behind its craftmanship, a refreshing change from mainstream comprehension of the female form. Jewellery should be a powerful evocation of feminity and it was pleasing to view Gordon's passionate ethos to change perceptions of the jewellery industry.
Priced at mid-range Gordon has created a sub-collection named 'Finding Water On Mars' a softer alternative to the angular spheres of 'Fly Me To Jupiter'. Inspired by public interest in the origins of the moon, the collection feeds into Hindu and Greek Mythology where women were defined by the phases or cycles of the moon. Selena a Greek 'Mother Goddess' was a passionate lover and unafraid of challenging contemporary social conventions on how women should behave and Gordon's feeds into this no-nonsense approach to feminity. Rejecting that jewellery should be explicitly feminine, like the phases of the moon Gordon blurs gender boundaries through distortion of shape. Clean minimal lines are offset by textured 'crater' inspired spheres, an organic representation of Mars.
Empowering women through the re-definition of shape Gordon's main collection 'Fly Me To Jupiter' is a portal of self-discovery educating consumers about the historical achievements of woman. In an age still characterized by patriarchal entitlement Gordon aims to show buyers that women are just as powerful-if not more so- as men. Key figures that inspired the collection include Hypatia, Joceyln Bell Burnell and Copernica, women who questioned the validity of 'male entitlement'. Hypatia the first known female mathmetician was head of the Neoplatonic school in Alexandria where she taught philosophy and atsronomy, admired by both men and women. To Gordon Hypatia paves the way for the modern woman 'independent, informed and authorative' a trait that is most evident in the structural spheres that permeate her collection. The linear sequence of a sphere as a symbol for feminine power is empowering and feeds into Copernica's conjecture of what 'could have been if women were given equality throughout history'. Women like Burnell -who discovered pulsars in 1967- would have been rightfully awarded the Nobel Prize instead of rewarding her supervisor a man 'with a position of authority'.
Rooted in appreciation of feminine achievement, the juxtapostion between harsh, blurred texture and soft cyclical spheres is a political statement, designed to both empower and teach the modern woman. The Gordon woman is 'inquisitive' 'passionate' and a 'scholar for justice' whose unique outlook to life makes her transcend all social boundaries. Unafraid to reject the social norm the boldness of Gordon's collection is simple yet powerful, a complex web of philosophical thought engineered by the most brilliant of minds.
Certified 'Fairtrade' Gordon recyles previous materials to reduce waste and buys into the concept of 'social enterprise'. Social enterprise is an ethos that improves communties, quality of life and/or environment issues and is a topic that Gordon holds close to her heart, grateful for the opportunities that her community awarded. In giving something back to the community Gordon is a selfless designer concerned with the conditions her consumers were born/still live in and wants to inspire them to 'reach for the stars'. Being aspirational is what makes Gordon's collection stand out and is an ethos that is reflected throughout her pieces.
Having studied jewellery manufacture and design in Hatton Gardens and at Holts Academy Gordon's talent for hand-made craft is a talent rarely seen in modern jewellers, whose preference for mechanic mass produced products is concerned with financial profit rather than a geniune interest in its consumers. Gordon wanted a collection that brought into her cultural heritage and spiritual ethos but also reflected the views of her consumers.Fly Me To Jupiter was developed through small-knit focus groups who evaluated texture, shape, colour and honed her pieces to become the delicate yet powerful pieces that permeate her collection today.
More than just a jewelery brand, 'Fly Me To Jupiter' is a way of life that we can all aspire to. Dedicated to the reform of female knowledge, Gordon shows a unique interest in ancient civilisations that forms the basis of her creations and there is no telling what will inspire Gordon's collection next. From fashion graduate to Jewellery extraordanaire Gordon has got her pulse on the fashion beat and if you wish to purchase any of the items shown please click here
'A powerful evocation of the female sphere which handmade piece caught your eye?'
Much Love Springbots xox
Photographer: Jenny Otavina founder of 'EO Photographer'
Lace-up Top: Miss Selfridge in 'Burgundy'
Button up Skirt: Forever 21 in 'Camel'
Lace-up Peep Toe Boots: Public Desire