BIOGRAPHY
ARTS + DESIGN
Her interest and ever present passion for the arts, fashion and design brought her to seek inspiration in nature and culture through travelling and the pursuit of an artistic formation from a very young age on starting with certificate courses at the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
in London.
BUSINESS MEETS FASHION
For her exchange semester abroad, Jen. got accepted at the prestigious Università Luigi Bocconi in Milan/Italy being able to specialize in Fashion and Luxury Goods Management and Marketing.
She obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Maastricht after concluding her final thesis on „Consumer Attitudes & Purchasing Behaviour with Regard to Luxury“
FASHION DESIGN
Jen. following strengthened her creative abilities by obtaining a formal education in fashion design.
From collection planning, graphic design, technical drawing and fashion illustration to pattern-making, draping, and sewing, the various aspects of the fashion industry were part of the intensive fashion design studies, that Jen. completed with a Fashion Design Diploma at Istituto Marangoni in Milan/ Italy. After having engaged in various projects from sportswear to menswear, women's RTW, accessories and textile design, her final collection featured a couture bridal collection with newly-interpreted classics, as well as non-traditional options related to the theme "Wildflower Wedding".
IMAGE CONSULTANCY & FASHION HISTORY
Expanding her knowledge in the field of fashion-related studies, Jen. absolved certificate courses in Image Consultancy and Costume History at the Istituto Marangoni in yet another fashion capital, the home of couture, Paris in France. From the study of different body types and derived suitable wearing options to exploring the influence of historical fashion trends and choices, Jen. was since increasingly able to draw from those insights in her design and realization processes.
APPLIED
JEWELRY ARTS
Initially only planning to stay in California for the jewelry design course, Jen. extended her stay at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad, California (USA) in order to receive her "Applied Jewelry Arts" Diploma (AJA).
Apart from the jewelry design portion of the course, jewelry manufacturing by hand, as well as with the help of machinery, tools and computer-aided manufacturing were part of the intense jewelry making studies. Jen. is thus trained in the whole production process including wax carving, mold making, mold cutting, and casting suitable for the creation of individual jewelry pieces up to the engagement in larger scale serial manufacturing.
JEWELRY MANUFACTURING
Certificates in" Basic Repair and Setting of Jewelry" and "Intermediate Repair & Setting of Jewelry" further equipped Jen. with the necessary goldsmithing skills to envision and realize her designs with confidence, having not only the beauty and innovation of a creation in mind but being able to encompass the wearability and functionality of said jewelry pieces.
Being fortunate to have the chance to learn from great craftsmen, Jen. was trained in "Enameling" techniques, and further able to obtain certificates in "Basic Stonesetting" and consequently "Advanced Stonesetting".
GRADUATE
GEMOLOGY
DIAMONDS ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND..., BUT COLORED GEMS BECAME FAMILY!
After concluding her design, manufacturing, and jewelry industry-related programs, Jen. continued her path at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) with studies in gemology, namely diamonds and colored gems.
With a whole new world opening up to her, Jen. became increasingly passionate about the natural allure of gemstones and after passing her 20 stone test on its first attempt she became certified as a Graduate Gemologist (GG).
GRADUATE PEARL
With a short excurse to the "city that never the sleeps", Jen. was able to obtain her "Graduate Pearl Diploma" from the Gemological Institute of America in New York City, NY studying and identifying the various pearl types, proveniences and characteristics.
ACCREDITED JEWELRY PROFESSIONAL
Continuing her studies at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California, Jen. became certified as an "Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP)" to further her understanding of various steps involved in the whole jewelry sales process.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Attending conferences, seminars and training sessions, as well as taking part in the yearly continuing education certificate programe of the Gemologial Institute of America, is an important part of staying current on the latest developments in the world of gems and jewelry. Furthermore, visiting trade shows allow close observations and analysis of current market trends, as well as serve for sourcing unique materials for her creations.
DIAMOND GRADING
Her love for beautiful things of all kinds and attention to the smallest details has strengthened her aesthetic vision and fostered an eclectic sense of style that has vested the wish to continue her path in the precious field of jewelry and gemstones.
Her very first steps in the gem industry started in Antwerp/ Belgium, the diamond capital, with becoming a "Certified diamond grader" at the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD) situated in the heart of the diamond district.
JEWELRY DESIGN
From traditional hand rendering techniques and illustration to three dimensional modeling with Computer-Aided Design programs such as Rhino, and Matrix, JEN. earned her certificate in jewelry design at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad/ California.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
She decided to study the world of International Business to concquer the creative world. After finishing high school in Cologne/ Germany, Jen.moved to Maastricht in the Netherlands at the age of17 to study International Business.
Being minimalist and maximalist
Being selective and eclectic
Being true to oneself and open-minded
Being focused and open-eyed
Being pure and bold
Being traditional and innovative
Embracing the foreseen and the unexpected
Treasuring values and seeking change
JEN.
is an award-winning jewelry and fashion designer
with a genuine background in her field.
GIA ALUMNI GERMANY
CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Consequently, after returning to Germany from her studies in the USA, Jen. initiated the German GIA alumni chapter and was appointed president of such. She organizes educational and networking events for GIA alumni, industry friends and "Gemkids".
PRESENTATIONS + PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Jen. was invited to speak at the opening session of the GIA career fair at the GIA headquarters in Carlsbad, California and was also part of a panel discussion about job success in today's market. Participating in the recruiting sessions of the GIA in New York and Carlsbad allows her to network, meet new talents and give back by sharing her learning experiences from being an entrepreneur in the industry.
HARVARD BUSINESS GLOBAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
As part of GIA's International Gemological Symposium 2018 in Carlsbad, California, Jen. absolved the Harvard Business Global Leadership certificate program focusing on business strategy, innovation and leadership through the renowned HBS case study method.
GEM-A CONFERENCE
Among other reputable trade associations, Jen. is a member of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A), which is the world’s longest established provider of gem and jewellery education. The Gem-A conference is held annually and Jen. makes sure to attend for updates and current news from the industry's most esteemed researchers and speakers on gemmology related topics.
AMERICAN GEM SOCIETY CONCLAVE
Attending the American Gem Society's educational and networking event "AGS Conclave" that is being organized in a different city each year, one is possible to engage in continued gemological training and jewelry industry-related seminars.
In 2019 Jen. was invited as a speaker at the AGS Conclave in Seattle,WA and held a session on the topic
" Fashion Goes Fine Jewelry".