Alp Sagnak On What’s In Store for 2023
There was a time when Alp Sagnak’s jewelry offerings would have best suited someone’s outer (or inner) rock star—skulls, bats, and medieval-looking shields were cornerstones of the creator’s collections.
More recently, however, Sagnak has expanded his offerings to include a number of collections featuring softer, more everyday pieces—though that rock ‘n’ roll edge remains wonderfully intact.
Between the one-of-a-kind pieces so incredibly detailed they’ll make jaws drop, to new additions of stackable bands perfect for weddings or any occasion, a perusal through Alp Sagnak’s offerings is an adventure for jewelry and art lovers alike.
Below, Sagnak gives us a sneak peek at what’s to come for 2023, talks inspirations, clientele, and more.
What's in store for Alp Sagnak in 2023? Can you share with us what's in the works?
These first three months I will be introducing {de}SIGN. I have been discussing this idea with friends for six years. For this collection about astrological signs, I define the other side of the story as well. For example, if your sign is Pisces, just being Pisces is not enough to define a person. Say someone defines or completes themselves with another partner—their partner’s sign has to be there as well. To complete oneself, there is the rising sign that also plays a part in one’s identity, or a parent feels completed by their children. I always thought these ideas needed to be executed together in a single piece of jewelry.
There are 12 signs; their permutations with 12 other signs would make 78 possible designs, so 78 pieces will complete this collection. I prepared the design of {de}SIGN last year in July and waited until this year, because I was promoting Nothing+Nothing = Everything throughout 2022.
Post-March I will start expanding three existing collections to show at the JCK show this year: N+N=E; Vertebrae chains; and Artificial Intelligence YOU&YOU2.
Your jewelry is truly art to wear, and stands out as all its own. How, if at all, do current market trends impact what you create? How about your clients—do you find their requests to be affected by what's currently hot?
Thank you very much for saying that. The way I read the market trends, if I can read them, tells me to try to appeal to a wider demographic. What I mean by that is, I am Gen X and my clients tend to be my age and older. I have some millennial clientele, but not much from Gen Z. Based on trends I am trying to expand and find ways to connect to these younger generations.
My designs when I was in my 30s are naturally different than now in my 40s. I matured as a person and am focused on being more undecorated compared to greatly decorated designs in the past. My ideas, stories, and executions are more refined. I love finding unusual ways to express basic feelings. I like to be consistent when adding stories to my work, but like to be inconsistent with the ways I craft them.
What's your favorite piece you've ever made?
My most favorite piece is TheWORD that I made for my ex-wife. She wanted me to redesign her engagement ring to wear on her index finger. I made her a ring that says I love you forever and placed our diamond on it.
What are your goals for the new year?
Every year my goal is to provide the best I can to my children’s life. My selfish goal is to be able to express myself as I am and find an audience for it.
