Lapponia: from the 1960s to today
Lapponia: jewelry that made it to the screen
The jewelry of the Finnish Lapponia Manufactory speaks a very special sculptural design language. The hand-forged accessories are so beautiful and extraordinary that two masterpieces even made it into one of the most famous films of all time and adorned the neck of a galactic princess. But the unique jewelry is also extremely popular in real life. In this article, find out more about Lapponia's beginnings, the most important designers and the sustainable production process of the exclusive pieces of jewelry.
How Lapponia came to life: the history of the manufactory
The roots of Lapponia go back to the 1960s. At that time, the entrepreneur Pekka Anttila and the gifted designer Björn Weckström joined forces to share their vision of unique and particularly artistic jewelry and bring it to life. Unusual creations with sculptural jewelry designs have been and have been the flagship of the Finnish manufacturer from Helsinki ever since. The wearable mini works of art stand out, revolutionized the jewelry market in the 1960s and have undoubtedly been among the most interesting and elegant pieces of jewelry in the world since the renowned manufacturer was founded.
The two founders got proof of this in Rio de Janeiro when they took part in the international jewelry competition in 1965. There Björn Weckström presented his exceptionally creative and delicate Flowering Wall necklace, a playful dream made of beautiful yellow gold. The jurors and people were so enthusiastic about this extravagant designer piece that Björn Weckström received the Grand Prix for it. This moment not only brought Lapponia a lot more fame, but also got the ball rolling. The Finnish manufacturer gained reputation and fame and suddenly the company was in the global spotlight. Known for its sculptural and fascinating jewelry, Lapponia developed into one of the most important manufacturers in the world.
Necklace Flowering Wall
Björn Weckström, driven by success and his endless creativity, was the first to take the innovative step and combine silver and acrylic to create wonderful accessories. What initially took people getting used to became a celebrated idea in a single moment - when John Lennon and Yoko Ono appeared on the Dick Cavett Show in 1975 and Yoko Ono wore the Petrified Lake acrylic ring. Close-ups by the camera team focused on the extravagant piece of jewelry and aroused curiosity and enthusiasm for the modern and unusual jewelry.
Two years later, in 1977, arrived Lapponia one of the most important breakthroughs of the company's entire career. Because two of the pieces of jewelry adorned Princess Leia, one of the main roles in the then new Star Wars film. The princess in the space epic wears the Planetoid Valleys necklace and the Darina's Bracelet. The sculptural and almost extraterrestrially beautiful necklace in particular became a real cult piece of jewelry from the Helsinki manufacturer and designer Björn Weckström lived up to his already good reputation.
Copyright: The Walt Disney Company / Lapponia
Unique designs from international artists
There is a team of over eleven international people behind the jewelry with a special expression Designers and artists who enjoy more freedom at Lapponia than almost any other team of jewelry designers in the world. Due to the various influences, the Finnish manufacturer creates a large selection of fabulous pieces of jewelry in different styles. However, all accessories have one thing in common: they are nature-inspired mini works of art with exceptionally sculptural and elegant designs. The special design language is what makes Lapponia an unmistakable premium brand that stands out, enchants and can captivate even the most demanding customers. The variety of styles and creative ideas from the eleven designers ensures that the Finnish manufacturer from Helsinki always wins new fans.
The designers Martin Bergström , Zoltan Popovits & Björn Weckström
Each of the creative minds captures the beauty of (Nordic) nature in their designs in their own way and at the same time expresses their own love for creating special pieces of jewelry with a breathtaking design language. While some designers choose striking, bold shapes, others rely on feminine and sensual designs. So every woman can find the right piece of designer jewelry that stylishly underlines her own personality and elegantly rounds off her own style.
Ear studs Gelo by Björn Weckström
Björn Weckström, for example, who is both one of the founders and one of the designers, loves to use the cool and endlessly beautiful winter landscape of Finland as a template for his stunning silver jewelry and to capture the mood in sculptural jewelry. Liesbeth Busman comes from the Netherlands and with her jewelry shows how beautiful and perfect imperfection can be. The appeal of her designs is that the true meaning and splendor of the jewelry is only revealed to the wearer over time. Mari Isopahkala has made it her mission to create jewelry that enhances people's charisma without stealing the show. The idea is well received because in 2010, on the occasion of Lapponia's 50th anniversary, the Next Episode jewelry design competition was held, where she used her sensual Winter Pearl Collection took first place. Zoltan Popovits found his way to Lapponia when he designed a silver chess set for the company, the pieces of which were sensational sculptures. The founders were so enthusiastic that they have been working with the sculptor and ceramist ever since. The designers' stories, visions and ideas are as different as their spectacular masterpieces.
Jewels from the Winter Pearl collection
Lapponia: handmade jewelry meets sustainability
It's not just the designers and their sculptural and grandiose designs that are at Lapponia be the focus. The Finns also attach particular importance to genuine handcraft and sustainability. Because the jewelry from the Finnish manufacturer should not only look like works of art, but also have the quality of real art. That's why professional and enthusiastic goldsmiths make each piece by hand. Modern processing techniques and great attention to detail turn the designs into lively and unusual accessories that decorate you artfully and never go out of fashion.
Production of the Planetoid Valley necklace
Since nature is the Lapponia designers' most important source of inspiration, they attach great importance to protecting and preserving it as best as possible. For this reason, the jewelry is not only handmade in Helsinki, but also made from recycled gold and silver. The gold used is 100 percent recycled, the silver is around 70 percent recycled. The remaining 30 percent silver comes from regional Nordic gold mines. The jewelry is formed with the greatest care and from sustainable precious metals to ensure sustainable production and contribute to environmental protection.
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