A painter turns her quirky eye to jewelry

Accessories designer Joyce Makitalo owes her lyrical last name to her Finnish spouse. Makitalo, whose maiden name is Ortiz, met her husband at an exhibit of her work. Trained as a painter (she graduated with a degree in fine arts from UST) Makitalo confesses that when they met she was a Goth girl, dramatically garbed in somber hues and swimming in existential angst.

Nowadays the 33-year-old designer’s color palette — and personal style — has lightened considerably. (Makitalo has been known to wear pastel-colored separates and boho dresses.) Her latest collection of accessories, a series of maximalist pieces seemingly inspired by the primary-hued figures revered by Aztecs, prove that Makitalo’s Goth days are far behind her.

YStyle profiles the designer and the things that inspire her. 

YSTYLE: Your pieces have a tendency to be large and showy. You appear to have a really pared-down personal style. Would you wear your own pieces?

JOYCE MAKITALO: I wear them all the time! With attitude, in a way Keith Richards would. (Laughs) I tend to dress boheme glam and most of my pieces are inspired by the ’60s era so my designs reflect my personal style. I have no problem wearing a huge necklace to the grocery, but of course it all depends on my mood. Big pieces signal fun and adventure, but could also work as a pick-me-up on some days.

How did you transition from painter to accessories designer?

 I like to do several things at the same time and enjoy art in many ways. I still paint! I can never do just one thing. But since I started collecting semi-precious rocks, I couldn’t stop creating pieces using them. They are powerful little things. I find jewelry design satisfying enough to have me focus on it. It’s art, with metal and stones as medium. And the fast-paced fashion part of it makes things exciting and challenging.

You’ve noted previously — and quite correctly — that there are waaay too many accessories designers at the moment. You’re not of the more is merrier camp?

 Blame it on our colorful culture for producing such a talented lot! Seriously, I admire a lot of them. I’d like to think that we inspire each other as designers. I also think that competition keeps us all on our toes — it keeps us thinking, innovating, and working like a madman. I’m sure we all want to bring something new to the table.

How would you define the local accessories scene at the moment?

 We are going through a maximalist stage, and it’s a global direction. Today, most women do not see jewelry as an investment but as something to be enjoyed, like, right now. They want it big and bold. But let us all proceed with caution:  it takes only a glance to see one’s personal taste based on how one accessorizes.

You have a fine arts background. How does that play into your design process?

 Of course it helps to know the rules before you break them, but I just let my subconscious guide me when I create things. When I find myself doing something too symmetrical, too predictable and bordering on traditional, it means that I’m not inspired enough.  When this happens, I just let out my quirkiness and I’m back on track.

Working with a platero gives your work not exactly a rustic but maybe an old world feel. Is that what you were aiming for?

 My formula is to always achieve a balance between two things: past and present. Most of my stones are rough, raw and irregular, so I make the bale and prongs shiny and modern. The rest of the metalwork is brushed. The look is somewhat old world, but I think what makes the pieces more interesting and unique are the modern components.

Your current collection, Valentina as Venus, appears to have elements inspired by ancient Egypt. Am I on the right track here?

 I was creating pieces in my mind while watching the Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. The movie is about the eternal battle between light and darkness, and how our colorful desires influence our life choices. So for my collection, I made three categories: Argente, which is inspired by light; Caligo, which is inspired by darkness; and Versicolor, inspired by desires.

The title, Valentina as Venus, was taken from the scene where Valentina imagined herself as Botticelli’s Venus. And since Venus emerged from the sea, I experimented with shells and osmena pearls. The Valentina necklaces can be transformed into a V-shaped necklace, a pendant necklace, and more — they are very versatile.

Were there certain people you envisioned who kind of live the current collection’s theme?

None! When I create, I veer away from reality. In real life, many women get scared of my huge, ornate  gold pieces. But who cares, right? I just have to make them, it satisfies me.

What can we expect from you next season?

 Surprises, in different silhouettes!

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Joyce Makitalo can be found at Rustan’s, Firma Greenbelt and House of Laurel. Visit www.joycemakitalo.com for more info.