Between 2017-2020, I’d meet Lydia at work, couple times a year, like clockwork. She’d visit the local Diamond district for events and workshops, with her students from the Jewellery and Diamond Department @ Stedelijk Lyceum (Antwerp). We’d talk about diamond polishing, trading, stone-setting, and other technical industry-related topics that could be interesting for her students.

One of those times, Lydia she mentioned an upcoming exhibition of her label’s new collection. For the first time, I learned about Lydia Segers, the jewellery maker.

So when Makers of Beauty came about, I knew I wanted to photograph Lydia- her process, workspace, and the knack for imbuing herself in all her pieces.

In the Spring of 21, Lydia kindly accepted my offer and invited me to her home-based atelier in South Antwerp.

Sorry, I’ve already begun.

When I arrived at Lydia’s atelier, she was swiftly alternating between her Jewellery bench and the rolling mill. A ring and matching pair of earrings, if there’s enough gold left- she told me.

Usually working with silver, this time she was trying something new with a set of smokey quartz gemstones, and gold.

Would you wear this ring?

Yes. I would wear all my designs.

I look closely at Lydia- simple, clean lines, sophisticated- all the jewellery she’s wearing- her own creation.

There’s a clear attention to detail, craftsmanship and finish. And an architectural feeling, she adds. It’s what she wants to purposefully imbue in every piece, much like a design signature. But also, what her clients expect in their commissioned designs- she tells me.

Normally, that’s how they find me.