HANNA BERNHARD
Over the Christmas holidays I spent a lot of time on line, and was delighted to find Hanna Bernhard's site. She is the most amazing jewelry designer I have ever encountered. It's hard to find words to describe the impact of her jewelry. The scale and detail is amazing! Hanna Bernhard is actually a husband and wife team based in Paris. They have been creating jewelry for more than twenty years and you will see by the photos that creating these pieces is not just their vocation, it's an obsession for them. I was immediately drawn to their work–it's like nothing I have ever seen before. I started corresponding with Nathalie, one half of the amazing duo–we hit it off, and soon, I had pieces on the way—here they are in all their splendor.
This is the squid—he is over a foot long. All of the Hanna Bernhard pieces are a work of art on their own, and the designers handcraft a stand for each and every piece they design so that you can display them as art.
Here is the octopus…..we decided to attach the octopus to the most incredible Chanel jacket found on E-bay. It's from the Fall/94 collection.
They look great together. The octopus is so fantastical and the Chanel jacket is so gloriously tacky–I love it!
Here is an antelope pin……
More pictures of Jane wearing the squid. The scale is insane….this is definitely for a special occasion.
Dress by Jelly Garcia purchased this summer in Tokyo.
Here is the shrimp–he is 9 inches long!!
Last but not least—-the monkey. I think he is my favorite.
I have been fascinated by this jewelry and the two people behind it since I found the site. Nathalie was kind enough to do a short interview with me…. English is not Nathalie's first language, and she gave me permission to correct her English, but I thought she conveyed everything perfectly. I didn't want to change a letter. enjoy!!
1) When did you and your husband start designing Hanna Bernhard?
I have started to design jewelry before meeting Fernand. This was over 20 years ago. When we met he had just finished his dental prothese studies. We have put in common our skills, my love of colors and his aptitude to sculpture and have naturally started to make jewelry together.
2) Where does the name Hanna come from?
Hanna is my hebraic name. (Hanna was the mother of Samuel the prophet, that is why we named our son Samuel..you don't have to say that 
3) What do you look for for inspiration?
Mostly nature but we are also influenced by our love for Art Deco and Art Nouveau, we are both in love with Lalique jewelry.
4) You seem to feature animals so often–why animals?
My father was a Natural sciences teacher, I have always been surrounded by gems and fossils -which he was collecting-, skulls of animals, books, etc. We have a countryside house, I used to go there every week end when I was young, my dad and I loved to hunt for butterflies, insects and fossils.
Fernand has spent most of his childhood in Corsica, he was living by the sea and diving to watch sea life was his favorite activity. He was very romantic and spent days alone in the nature, observing plants, flowers and insects.
5) Do you have any exciting projects or collaborations for the future that you would like us to know about?
We do have projects, including with a world known couture house; we are not superstitious but it is probably better to talk about them when projetcs have been concretized..
6) Do you have a favorite peice? If so, why is it your favorite?
Fernand is afraid of snakes, but paradoxically it is what he likes to make the best; may be a way to tame this animal..
He loves any sea creature, also insects and monkeys -he would may be say 'not true', but he is always talking about making more monkeys ! Last one is a baby chimpanze necklace, as big as a real one ! (see picture)
I have several favorite pieces, 2 peacock pins, male and female (you can see them on our site), I really love the colors, in shades of turquoise blue.
I had kept 2 pieces at home, a huge ostrich pin and a huge parrot pin (see picture), I have finally sold them after several years, last one to Iris Apfel (cf book 'Rare bird of fashion,The irreverend Iris Apfel').
On February 25th, Jane and I will host a showing at VOD Boutique in Dallas of Altlantis Vintage Jewelry. We will bring along the Hanna Bernhard pieces and have a couple for sale.
Related posts:
- Antonio Palladino Octopus Bracelet
- A COUPLE OF NEW THINGS….
- Obsessing
- More 80′s/Flora Kung
- Great Jackets!!
More inspiration from Atlantis Home:
- Comments (48)
- Filed Under Uncategorized
- Posted at 4:14pm
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j, this are all fabulous.
love!!!!
xo chauss
Judy, these are incredible! They are truly works of art…and while you’re not wearing them, you can display them as art in your home!
What a wonderful interview. I enjoy knowing a bit more about designers — especially such a compelling husband + wife team!
Jane looks stunning. I enjoy her outfits, and the fun she has with fashion, always.
xo always,
Sarah
These are amazing- I LOVE the squid and the octopus!!
I can’t comment on SOS so I’ll just comment here. This stuff is just beyond incredible. I have never seen anything like it and the pieces are so “jane aldridge” in fact I don’t think many people could pull these off! Love the squid piece styled with the bright orange Jelly Garcia dress…
Judy- thank you so much for sharing this amazing find with all of us. You are so lucky to have obtained some of their pieces. They truly are a piece of art! Beautiful and breath taking! I think the monkey and the octopus have to be my favorite by far! Can’t wait to see more
xoxo-Tiffany-http://imashoewhore.blogspot.com
This jewelry is amaizing! I love de moschino jacket too.
I´ve found this blog and Jane´s a few weeks ago, and I really like both.
I´ve done some draws about you two today and I am going to post them in my blog right now. I hope you´ll enjoy them.
xo, Elisa
http://timetimetravelers.blogspot.com/
the antelope is exquisite!
I love the outfit with the squid! Definitely my favorite.
Wow all these animals look so pretty and amazing! Thanks for showcasing them! They’re so lovely!
the antelope and shrimp is gorgeous.
Give to haiti http://www.worldvision.ca!
i love the octopus!
wish i could make it to your trunk show!
xo
bravegrrl.blogspot.com
Amazing!! I love the squid, he looks amazing with Jane’s dress. Judy we need some pictures of you with the pieces!
xox
deniselee.wordpress.com
They are absolutely massive, and the detail is stunning!
these are absolutely incredible, wow. i need that shrimp and or squid..time to check out their site
the pic of jane in the jelly garcia dress and the squid necklace is gorgeous, love all the pieces
great post!
OMG! There are so many pieces that I would love to have. All of the pieces shown here are WOW pieces, but the antelope and the shrimp are just beyond fantastic!! Thanks for posting this.
I just absolutely love these! I went to go check out the site and I would never be able to afford anything like this haha.
Incredibly gorgeous!
Gloriously tacky is right, that jacket is crazy. Looks like the yellow is supposed to mirror the contrast trim on Chanel’s classic boucle jackets – funny how Karl thinks sometimes. Definitely curious to see all the ways you two will wear it.
My fav is the monkey! I’m totally afraid of the spiders so I couldn’t never wear a spider’s pin!
http://www.abitoffashion.com
I absolutely love these! Giant bedazzled animals? I think it’s hard to get any awesomer (and more beautiful!). These are so great, I have a hard time wrapping my head around its utter amazingness!
this jewelery is amazing
i just have a question to ask you, i fell in love with your rick owens jacket some months ago and finally decided to buy it, which italian size did you take please, beacause it fitted so perfectly on you, it will give me an idea?
love your blog and your daughter’s as always
alexia
WOW!!! So Gorgeous!!
Wow i am 22 years old and i really relate with your style (mom). I love your style and your blog
This jewelry is fantastic! I love the hardware on it and it really completes and outfit as seen on Jane in her dress above. It just pulls the entire look together. The two of you are so creative and really know how to put an outfit together. I would have never thought to put the octopus with the vintage channel coat. Great idea and keep doing what you both do best!
XX
JJ! They are beyond amazing! This husband/wife are those behind Lea Stein too? Because I’ve been buying their acrylic brooches for about a year now.
This is EXACTLY the same post Jane did. How boring…
Judy, now that is a jumbo shrimp. Very nice.
OMG!! I love love them. I need more monkeys in my life:-))
Wow talk about statement pieces. You could wear nothing, but one of them and people would still see just the jewelry!
LOOOVE them! they are absolutely gorgeous! going gaga over the octopus. just stunning. and wow, if you got your hands on the baboon i saw on hanna’s website, i might just pass out.
Abolutely obsessed with that squid piece! Amazing!
http://lifeinleather.blogspot.com/
Beautiful jewelry. The idea of the designers using fossils for inspiration was amazing hear.
http://www.autumndiva.blogspot.com
I love the antelope pin. How big is it?
olwyn
Alexia–My rick Owens Jacket is a small.
Olwyn—the antelope is about 6 inches.
Oh woooow Judy!!!!
When it comes to jewelry pieces you always know the most fashionable names I´ver heard so far before!
Thank you for all your inspirations!!!
Didn´t know about Christopher Ross belts until I saw them on your blog; now I have 2 belts (a frog and rhino). And from today I have the DESIRE to get a piece of HANNA BERNHARD!
Who is guilty?… Her name is Judy!!;))
Wish I could be there in Feb to see you and more amazing pieces! Definetely have to check her website!!!
Have a beautiful weekend ahead!
Talk about statement pieces!
What georgina said…
Crazy, amazing jewelry and beautiful photos! I love, love, love that Jelly Garcia dress.
Nice pieces, the octopus is incredible
BEAUTIFUL JEWELERY PIECES GIRL! WM.
http://WWW.WASHMACH.COM
http://www.80spurple.com/shop/product/92430/251/noir-women-s-octopus-ring-purple-silver
These are the most amazing pieces ever! I can’t even find the right words for this beauty.
Unfortunately I could never afford something so expensive
Jane looks sensational in the orange hued dress. That squid looks absolutely fantastic with it.
Such vision. Gorgeous.
this is amazing!
the spider is amazinggg
The red and yellow dress is that crack.
Shrimp is a type of seafood, particularly shellfish is an elongated body with 10 legs, looking very similar to shrimps and prawns, with a shell somewhat weaker than them.
Size between 5 and 8 cm, but there are a variety of smaller size, those who take the name of shrimps.
The seafood can be consumed fresh throughout the year, although its market price is cheaper during the winter.