Put on a little piece of imogene

Polygonal pyrite earrings from the latest collection.

Imogene, a jewelry line based out of Baltimore, is by far among the top of up and coming lines making the mark locally. Annie Chau, designer and owner of the line featuring earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings, and I exchanged e-mails recently after I contacted her to find out more. (Rather than doing the standard run-of-the-mill article or Q&A, I’m going to share some highlights. I’d like to think of this format as more of an experiment. Leave me a comment to let me know what you think.)

• Imogene began as an online boutique featuring the work of independent designers from around the globe.
• During her last year in school, Chau started to add some of her own work to the shop. That was in Spring 2005.
• Here we are today.

• Sterling silver, which is often oxidized (blackened) as Chau plays with color contrasts.
• Reclaimed vintage painted metal.
• Semi-precious stones.

The design philosophy for spring/summer.

• Focus on the reiteration of polygons.
• Color in contrast with metal.
• The creation of “gems” using metal (inspired by a beautiful five-sided opal).
• A serious departure from the last collection, which was playful, whimsical, and inspired by woodland creatures. 
• While still playful, this collection focuses on geometry, the juxtaposition of colors and semi-precious stones vs. manmade gems.

• It is ever-changing.
• Chau often looks at her daily encounters with people, nature, or an image from pop culture.

• When searching for a name, the thought was to find a word with no connotations whatsoever.
• “Imogene” was the first word that came to mind.

• She is 27-years-old and lives in Waverly.
• Her studio is based in Mt. Washington.
• Like many small business owners, she wears all hats sporting roles from designer to bookkeeper.
• She studied jewelry and metalsmithing at Towson University.
• She received the Baltimore City Creative Fund Grant last year.
• Her favorites from the spring/summer collection are the “gem” rings and the large neckpieces that combine links, sterling “gems” and pink opals.
• Fabricating gems is Chau's favorite thing to do in the studio lately.

• In 9 different states (Alabama, California, Maryland, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island).
• 2 countries (U.S. and Canada).
• Locally: Baltimore Museum of Art (10 Art Museum Drive), Red Tree (921 W 36 St.) and Trixie’s Palace (1704 Thames St.).
• Online (www.imogene.org) and at Etsy (imogeneandannie.etsy.com).

• We’ll see!

For more info: Visit imogene online. Red Tree. Trixie's Palace. Baltimore Museum of Art.