For today’s Throwback Thursday we are serving you some extravagant 2000s vibes. But these outstanding visuals not only trigger a major wave of nostalgia, they also provide some interesting perspectives and a futuristic vision for jewelry design.
Steff Eleoff is a 23-year-old, self-taught designer and silversmith based in Toronto, Canada. Her latest collection resembles the beauty of the shapes and forms inspired by nature. Besides the sentimental styling including super low rise jeans that showcase one of Steff’s necklaces, the design is equally contemporary and modern. The fusion of cutting edge design, organic shapes, and high quality materials present Steff Eleoff as a promising artist with great intuition and talent for her craft.
Before we get into the interview, we prepared some quick questions of ‘This OR That’ for Steff:
How would you never leave the house? Without jewelry OR without sunnies?
Steff: I would 100% never leave the house without jewelry. SE always.
What do you wear? Gold OR silver?
Silver.
Do you think jewelry is over- OR underrated?
Jewelry in my wardrobe was never a thing until recently, when I started to make my own pieces for myself. I think it’s underrated, especially in terms of how accessories can give you so much confidence.
Are you down to earth OR lost in space?
I’m definitely down to earth, but if Elon Musk asked me to go to Mars, I’d definitely say yes…
What is more important to you? Quality OR quantity?
Quality, 100%. The more you expand (especially if it’s too quickly), the less control you have over the quality of your work. You’re asking generally, but I’m answering in specifics!
The majority of the time, are you, creator OR consumer?
I think I’m equally both. In order for me to create, I need to consume as much information, art, culture, and inspiration as possible.
What style do you like more? Minimalistic OR extravagant?
I love fitting in the middle of both. I think my personality is very bold and effervescent, but the way I dress is very minimal, until I stack 15 rings on my fingers…. Is that extravagant? I’m not sure.
When and why did you start making jewelry?
I started making jewelry almost by accident. I had recently dropped out of my Fine Arts program, where I was studying visual arts and art history, and began collecting brooches and vintage chains to create pieces for myself… just as a hobby.
From there, I was introduced to a metals studio in Toronto, where I learned how to work with fine metals. It was really quite experimental, and I didn’t plan to start my own jewelry line or launch a brand. I was just working with my hands as a therapeutic pastime, and now it’s my whole life!
What inspires you to create jewelry in such abstract shapes and forms?
The shapes and forms in my jewelry are all shapes I pull from nature, architecture, or art. Whether it be from literature (interior design books, landscape architecture books, art books, etc.) or from patterns and shapes found in nature. Everything around us is inspiration.
How do you work? What does the process from idea to finished product look like?
I work with a process called Lost Wax Casting, where I start with wax, and then melt my piece into shape. From there, it is casted into silver, and polished to its final product.
But prior to the technical stages of jewelry, my process includes my fine arts background of drawing and painting, reading books, and then experimentation: the art of play. I really don’t put emphasis on a linear process…. I just play with my material, and have fun with it. The vision I have for a piece might change 30 times before its final stages, and I like that playfulness with my work.
What is your favorite part about your work?
The experimentation of it all. Making my jewelry, connecting with people, creating content, and tapping into all sides of my creativity. It’s been a very fun year.
At Title, we always highlight self-expression and being true to yourself. Would you say you have found your True Identity yet? If so, how would you describe it?
I think that I have found a sense of comfortability within myself and my work…. But that came after trying all different mediums of art and not feeling confident with any of them. Jewelry has been the most exciting way for my self-expression and overall growth, and I feel the most confident I’ve ever felt.
If you aren’t being true to yourself and doing this for you, then who are you doing it for? Find what works for you, and have fun doing it!
Credits:
Art Direction & Sytling: Steff Eleoff (@steffeleoff)
Photographer: Nelson Huang (@nelshuang)
Model: Mads Sintzel (@falxey)
