Style Icon: Georgie Smith
Georgie Smith talks to us about the balance of working as an artist and a model, as well as how growing up on the island of Guernsey influenced her creative side.
Necklace: Beacon's Closet, Earrings: Accessorize, Ring: gift, Dress: Vintage Oscar de la Renta.
Tell me a bit about yourself…
I was born and raised on the island of Guernsey, Channel Islands. I moved to NYC shortly after graduating from The Slade School Of Fine Art, London in 2006. Over the past couple of years I’ve been focusing mainly on making collages. I see them as dreamscapes and a form of storytelling. I’m really excited with the direction my art has taken, recently collaborating with musicians, fashion designers, filmmakers, astrologers and recently started working with Elle magazine, all things that inspire me. Alongside art making I model for photographers, designers, painters and sculptors.
Has your art work been used by other brands recently?
Just prior to the pandemic I was working with Elle (Aus) Magazine I created a three-page layout for their green awards. I would love to collaborate with more environmentally conscious publications/brands.
I'm currently working on branding for Rosa Temple, a holistic skin care range, based in Bryon Bay, Australia, which is so inspiring. I love learning about the healing properties of plant medicine and the ancient connection to the land. It's so rewarding to work with a client that you can share a vision with, which I'm lucky to say I can do with many of my clients.
Earlier this year I was commissioned to create a 17-foot wall piece which is on permanent display at Mucoha Art space in Bushwick, (the founder of the space is a good friend of mine). The concept behind the piece came from many of our conversations on the metaphysical and the relationship between art, science and spirituality. I completed the piece in March and then moved to Hawaii in April, so for me it's a little piece of my heart that I got to leave in NYC, my home for 15 years.
Necklace: Beacon's Closet, Earrings: Accessorize, Ring: gift, Dress: Vintage Oscar de la Renta.
How would you describe your jewelry style?
It’s romantic, definitely nostalgic. I like to wear pieces that have a story. Growing up on the island I was always surrounded by pagan folklore and tales of witchcraft. There’s a magical air about the island, which has inspired both my art and my style; there’s magic in nature and material things.
I found this eagle necklace a few years back at Beacon's Closet, vintage/thrift store in New York. An eagle is such a powerful creature and spirit. I love Native American culture and the understanding that the spirit of each animal carries a special energy.
What jewelry do you wear on a regular day?
I wear a ring that was my dad’s everyday and a silver Navajo bracelet with a beautiful turquoise stone my parents gave me for my 18th birthday. At the time I was just discovering shamanism and astrology, both pieces are so special to me, that birthday being the last birthday with my dad.
On a special occasion?
I see everyday as a special occasion, if I had expensive jewelry I'd wear it with jeans and a t-shirt.
Do you have any philosophy on how to accessorize? Do you plan the clothes first or the accessories first?
Usually I’d pick out my outfit first, I love vintage clothing, if I’m wearing something from the 70’s I’ll wear a choker or my mum’s 70’s necklace. If I’m wearing a 80’s band t-shirt, I might wear some big statement 80’s rhinestone dangly earrings.
Necklace: Gift from Georgie’s mother, Earrings: Etsy, Ring: gift.
The jewelry you are wearing with the black dress has special meaning.
Yes, this necklace is very important to me (another gift from my mother), which was a Christmas present from my paternal grandmother in 1977. This necklace was a piece commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s coronation 1952-1977. On one side is the Queen’s profile like on British coins and on the other an engraving of Castle Cornet, Guernsey. I love the 70’s vibe and the connection to my ancestral heritage and the island.
I purchased the earrings on Etsy. They are an Egyptian piece, and these have these beautiful hieroglyphic charms, so mystical and enchanting. They are also very noisy and very heavy so I don’t wear them too often!
How do you store your jewelry? How do you carry/protect pieces with you to a photo shoot or when you travel?
I like to have my favorite jewelry displayed on my dresser, various necklaces draped with ribbon and other pieces I place in sea shells I’ve collected from the beach. I also have an original 60’s ashtray from the playboy club, another Etsy find I keep my bracelet and rings on.
When I’m traveling or on a shoot, I use this pretty embroidered purse that my friend Bailey had custom embroidered for me when she was on vacation in Italy. I love how girly it is. With my full name being Georgina, I love that she had it embroidered with “George.”
Necklace: Gift from Georgie’s mother, Earrings: Etsy, Ring: gift.
What are your go-to jewelry brands?
I generally wear vintage, I'm not so clued up on new brands. But recently I had a UK based brand Venyx reach out to me about possibly making collages for their new campaign, I hope I get to work with them. The designer, Eugenie Niarchos, has created her own universe, inspired by nature and 1950’s sci-fi. I love the concept and that each collection has a story.
Necklace: Gift from Georgie’s mother, Cameo Earrings: Gift from her mother, Ring: this ring was a birthday gift from dad to my mum, my dad’s wedding ring.
Tell me about the necklace that you’re wearing with the lavender nightie.
The necklace my mother gave me a few years back. It belonged to my great-grandmother, and it was a gift from my great-grandfather. We're not sure whether or not he got the necklace in Egypt, but I like to think so. It has a romantic and mysterious quality, like Egypt. I’ve always been fascinated by ancient Egypt and the mystery of the pyramids and the sphinx. In the center of the pendant is a gold heart, engraved with a drawing of the sphinx of giza. I love that it's somewhat naively drawn, it feels like it’s from another time.
What is the most special piece of jewelry you own and why?
My dad’s engagement/wedding ring is my most cherished piece of jewelry. My dad wore it everyday since my parents got engaged in 1972 until the day he passed away in 2002. My mum gave it to me shortly after, and I've worn it ever since. It feels like I have a piece of him with me always.
Necklace: Gift from Georgie’s mother, Cameo Earrings: Gift from her mother, Ring: this ring was a birthday gift from dad to my mum, my dad’s wedding ring.
Can you tell me a story about a time when you discovered an amazing piece (either at a store, flea market, your mom’s closet)? Tell me about the hunt.
I went home to Guernsey the Christmas before the pandemic, and my mum had moved house earlier in the year, while she was unpacking she found a little plastic jewelry box, inside is a silver pendant of a bull, with a typewriter note from my grandad neatly folded inside the box “‘Dougie’ This is for Georgina”, Dad and Granddad”.
I was born on May 21st, on the cusp between Taurus and Gemini. The necklace belonged to my grandad’s second wife Gaby, a Taurus, who sadly died when I was a baby. I also have a turquoise beaded necklace of hers. I wish I had the chance to meet her, I'm sure we would have had lots to talk about.
Necklace: Gift from Georgie’s mother, Earrings: Etsy, Ring: gift.
Are there any amazing stores that you find yourself buying jewelry from?
Most of my pieces have been handed down to me from my mum. I've also brought some great vintage pieces online from Etsy. I love finding old brooches I can wear on a velvet ribbon as a choker, breathing life into them.
There’s also an amazing Gem store, Astro Gallery on 5th Avenue, where I’ve bought several pendants and precious stones.
How does modeling and/making your art affect your jewelry style?
To me modeling, art making and style are all forms of self expression, they are ways to communicate to the world who I am and what I love.
“One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.” - Oscar Wilde
Necklace: Gift from Georgie’s mother, Earrings: Etsy, Ring: gift.
How have you been doing during the pandemic? I'm assuming you've had to cut back on your modeling, at least a bit. Have you been able to focus on making your art?
Last year broke my heart open in many ways, trying to make sense of the world we live in and our relationship to nature and each other, i've delved deeper into spirituality, especially to sacred geometry and the unseen realms, becoming more aware everyday of the interconnectedness and dual nature of our world, which i'm grateful to be able to channel and convey through my art.
I think that since we've been confined to our homes so much this year, jewelry has taken a step back for some, while becoming more important for others (Zoom seems to make earrings incredibly important!). How have you found yourself wearing jewelry this year?
I haven't really been using video chat all that much apart from calling my mum! I feel a lot of people naturally gravitated to the more comfortable and casual ways of staying home. Because of that I feel a stronger desire to wear my jewelry and get dressed up for myself rather than for other people. I feel jewelry is an extension of ourselves and we should always shine!
Now living in Hawaii, I feel that shift again, practically living barefoot and makeup-less a lot of the time. Swimming in the ocean everyday is bliss but I really have to find ways to add a touch of glamour to express my own individuality. I'm definitely on the look out for some bold statement pieces of jewelry to throw on with my bikini and sarong.
I love that there is a strong emphasis on the ocean here. So many local brands incorporate elements of the ocean and animals and plants native to Hawaii into their designs. I feel it's really a lifestyle of going with the flow and being in harmony with nature that you naturally adapt to when you are here.
Thank you so much, Georgie!
