Concept
MOVING BORDER
Carven DNA Transformable Brooch
As a continuation of my work with the DNA of the Carven fashion house, I draw inspiration from the image of the white orchid—an archival symbol associated with Madame Carven’s history—and reimagine it in the form of a transformable brooch.
The core concept revolves around the idea of a dynamic boundary between openness and privacy. In today’s world, people are constantly under the gaze of others, making the ability to independently control the degree of their openness particularly significant.
Much like the petals of an orchid form a multilayered structure, concealing and revealing the interior of the bloom, the elements of the brooch overlap and shift in position. In a closed state, the object presents a concise sculptural form; when opened, it reveals a hidden color accent.
Thus, the adornment transcends being a mere decorative element—it becomes a symbol of the personal boundary that the individual manages themselves.
The fundamental formula of the project: dynamic boundary = the right to choose the degree of one’s own openness.
materials and processing
The primary material for the «White Orchid» transformation brooch is expected to be brass with a silver galvanic plating. Brass was chosen for its plasticity, strength, and the ability to fabricate thin, curved elements that mimic the natural shape of orchid petals. The estimated weight of the piece is 20–25 grams, pending finalization after the technical model is developed.The outer petals will be coated with milky-white jewelry enamel featuring a pearlescent effect, while the inner petals will be finished with a translucent, delicate pink enamel. The silver plating on the metal base emphasizes the purity of the lines and lends the piece a restrained, cool luster characteristic of Carven’s aesthetic. A movable hinge allows the petals to unfold, transforming the brooch from a sleek, closed form into a voluminous floral composition.
The transformation brooch «White Orchid» undergoes a multi-stage finishing process. The initial phase involves coarse sanding of the brass components to eliminate casting imperfections and prepare the surface. This is followed by manual leveling, deburring, and polishing of the metal base until it achieves a smooth finish. Particular attention is given to the delicate, curved edges of the petals, the joints where components meet, and the movable hinge mechanism, all of which are hand-finished using fine abrasive attachments.
product dimensions
Overall dimensions of the «White Orchid» transformer brooch Total height in closed position — 42 mm. Total width in closed position — 40 mm. Maximum brooch thickness, accounting for petal volume — 18 mm. Total width in open position — up to 52 mm. Total height in open position — up to 50 mm. Number of decorative petals — 5 pcs. Estimated product weight — 20–25 g.
