Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Bu . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rachel , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I used to wish I had begun or built Authorne earlier back in my 20s, as it would have provided me with more time to establish a youthful and trendy brand. In 2019, I started to formulate a plan to build a jewelry brand, but due to the pandemic and my pregnancy with my son, those plans were postponed. I distinctly recall believing that my career had come to an end; I was now simply someone’s mother and wife. However, this couldn’t have been further from the truth.

Motherhood has instilled in me a great deal of confidence and strength; my children became the wellspring of my inspiration and motivation. Without them, I wouldn’t have conceived the idea of creating generational jewelry that highlights the bond between mother and child. I came to realize that parenthood is both a gift and a sacrifice that encompasses polar dichotomies. The fundamental values of the brand crystallized after I became a mother, after experiencing the journey of motherhood.

Consequently, while one may yearn to commence a venture earlier, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the opportune time. I now envision Authorne maturing along with my personal experiences, gaining more substance, depth as we age.

Rachel , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Rachel Bu, and I am the founder of Authorne, a fine jewelry brand. The name Authorne is a fusion of ‘Author’ and ‘Adorn,’ embodying the brand’s core values and mission by emphasizing the idea of wearing one’s own story. For me, jewelry transcends mere aesthetics and passing trends; it becomes a tangible representation of cherished memories, a way to immortalize fleeting moments.

I transitioned from my studio practice to fine jewelry in 2022, launching Authorne as a platform to continue developing my wearable sculpture practice. Each piece in Authorne’s collection is steeped in my personal experience, infusing the brand with a blend of Eastern and Western influences. Authorne thrives on navigating these dichotomies, finding strength in balance—between provocation and grace, masculinity and femininity, extravagance and substance, audacity and restraint.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I believe that being a creative person entails having a creative mind, which leads to finding innovative solutions. Thus, for me, working in the jewelry industry represents a harmonious balance between art and design. It allows me to retain my artistic DNA, creating pieces that deeply resonate with me, while also using my creativity to craft pieces for others. This involves translating their stories into timeless jewelry that can be cherished and passed down through generations, becoming a part of their family history. It’s truly a privilege to be involved in this creation process.

Currently, I am working on a bespoke piece for a set of twin boys. The client has provided me with a set of symbols to incorporate into the jewelry, along with a request for the pieces to seamlessly join and separate, functioning as individual pieces as well as a unit. I thrive on such creative challenges and enjoy the process of designing and finding creative solutions.

My love language is definitely acts of service, so the most rewarding moment is when I unveil the design to my clients; seeing their eyes light up is when I feel the most joyful.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

NFTs were so 2021; let’s talk about “Phygital” NFTs instead.

While NFTs are interesting, as a jewelry designer, it’s not surprising that I enjoy tangible thing “Phygital” refers to Non-Fungible Tokens that bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds. Now, that is something I can understand and get behind. This concept involves combining a tangible, real-world item with a unique digital token or artwork on a blockchain.

Often, my jewelry pieces are loaded with symbolism and encrypted messages, but in their physical form, they have expressive limitations. However, jewelry existing in the digital realm has no such limitations. Each symbol can come alive, elaborated into a full story, an artwork. It adds value to the physical piece and vice versa.

I am somebody who enjoys reading all the artwork labels beside the artworks in the museum. That additional information helps me understand, appreciate, and enjoy the work even more. That’s the relationship I see between the physical piece and the digital expression of the piece. And if I can have both, isn’t that a beautiful thing?”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.authorne.com
• Instagram: authorne.nyc

Image Credits
Photo 1: Phillip Reed Photo 2-4 ( still life + Model) : Little Wolf Collective Photo 5-6 ( mother daughter) Sheena Kim