Fashion Interview: Katherine Antwis Jewellery for the Female Warrior

Two years ago, jewellery designer Katherine Antwi Ayala, set out on a trip to Mexico that would change the course of her life. She left her work as an interior designer, and set her mind on a new project: an exotic, high-impact jewellery line that combines organic and modern materials – the perfect accessory for the urban female warrior.

Lola Who: How did you start your jewellery line?

Katherine: I was out, traveling in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and I was getting inspired by colours, the culture, the city. I was really inspired by the artisans there and thats how I started designing jewellery. Its been about two years now since I started.

Lola Who: What are your main influences?

Katherine: Im really influenced by iconic women, like Frieda Kahlo, Maria Felix, women who have a lot of history, strong women, women who have gone through a lot of stuff. Theyre kind of modern day queens to me.

Lola Who: What does Reynah Armure means?

Katherine: The word Reynah is a play on the word reina is Spanish, for queen, and armure is the French word for shield. So she expresses herself with a shield, jewellery is a queens armure.

Lola Who: Do you have a favourite material, a favourite stone maybe?

Katherine: Im really into crystals right now. I love leather and anything that has natural elements to it. The juxtaposition of material. I think thats very interesting: something that is very natural, mixed with something that looks a little bit more industrial.

Lola Who: How would you describe your brand?

Katherine: I would say its a touch of bohemian with an urban edge.

Lola Who: Do you follow fashion trends?

Katherine: Im mostly inspired by travel and culture. I look at the current state of fashion and then I merge all those things together.

Lola Who: Do you have any traveling plans in the near future?

Katherine: I might be going to Machu Picchu, so Im very excited about that. I love Mayan culture, Im really inspired by their architecture, so Im really excited to go there.