SPANISH JEWELRY WITH ATLANTIC VIBES: DOLORES FOURNIER

Galicia-based designer Sonia is the talented and creative mind behind the brand Dolores Fournier, specialized in handcrafted jewelry and flattering accessories.

I met Sonia by chance in Madrid when I was shopping for some jewelry and I was immediately impressed by her modern designs and delicate pieces that exude feminity.  We are both from Galicia, the north-west corner of Spain, with its wild landscape and wild-grey seas.

Sonia is one of my favorite jewelry designers, and I am honored that she was kind enough to do this interview with World Kids. We talk about her work, her creative world, her travel inspiration, and the significant influence of Paris and Galicia in her elegant collections. I am sure that you will fall in love with her designs, too.  Welcome, Sonia!

Sonia, can you tell me a little bit about your background and why you decided to create Dolores Fournier.

I graduated in textile design and fashion at the University of Vigo (Spain) about five years ago. I didn’t have a clear idea about what I wanted to do, so I decided to take some internships first, in paths as different as textile and footwear design. I wanted to go abroad (I come from a small town nearby Pontevedra in a lovely valley) so I moved to Paris and then to London, where I continued studying while working in the industry. What I learned very well was that we do have a high quality of life in Spain! So I came back starting to work as a footwear designer for a time, and later on as a freelance textile designer for high street brands. One day, looking at my jewelry, I realized I didn’t like the way I look with it, so I started to draw some sketches, and I came up with some ideas!

As a designer, where do you draw your inspiration from?  

I get inspired by the charm of everyday things, the coast, and color and shapes combinations from nature. I love flowers, in fact, I also studied floral art and even worked as a florist! Flowers are an important source of inspiration for me.

How would you describe the style and aesthetics of your brand?

The first ideas came up when I realized I hadn’t had jewelry that made me feel pretty, so my designs are an expression of my personality. I don’t like to put labels on my brand, because I don’t even know how to define me! But what I can say is that I’m in search of elegance, uniqueness,  and beauty when I design.

What are you working now on?  Can you tell us a little more about your next collection?

What I can say is it will be different! There will be pieces made of gold plated sterling silver, more rings, and a rework of the best-sellers, with a twist!

You ship internationally. Do you have any plans to open a physical store?

I do think about open a physical store, it’s a big step, and I want to make it the right way! I’m thinking about the location, the concept, the numbers.

Which has been your favorite destination and why?

I couldn’t travel a lot, even though I love it! I enjoy lots when I lived in Paris during one of my firsts internships. I definitely consider it one of my best trips ever! So much going on, there are many charming secret places around! Parties on bateau, a busy African cuisine restaurant/kitsch gallery/vintage shop behind a bush, amazing museums and galleries, beautiful designer stores, walks “sur la Seine” browsing around a book market full of rare editions, really cool music venues..those were times!

Do you have a dream destination you would like to visit?

I would love to cross the ocean and visit my family in New York and then travel around the United States. Someday!

You are based in Galicia. What do you love more of home town?

I come from a small town in south-west Galicia, called Barro. It’s super quiet, green, and surrounded by forests, a beautiful cascade, and lots of cornfields and vineyards. It’s close to Pontevedra, named one of the most accessible and car-free cities in Europe! I love to walk around the lovely old town, and one of my favorite stores is Penélope Blanco (Rúa da Oliva, 7) and step by Savoy and take a coffee while I work with my computer, enjoying the pleasant view of Praza da Ferraría.

Did you have a favorite book in your childhood?

Yes I have, “The Chronicles of Little Nicholas” by Jean-Jacques Sempé and René Goscinny!

What book are you currently reading?

High Fidelity, by Nick Hornby

Thank you, Sonia! It has been a great pleasure to feature your work on World Kids. 

GIVEAWAY:  Dolores Fournier is offering one lucky reader the beautiful Margot earrings (pictured above).  To enter this giveaway, please visit Dolores Fournier’s website and leave a comment below in this post telling us which pieces of her collection are your favorites and why you would like to be the winner. We will choose the winner at random next week. Wishing you all good luck! // Update: The winner has been chosen and notified. Thanks for playing!

BONUS:  In the meantime, we have great news for all World Kids’ readers: You can get a 10% discount from any order (good through December 31st) at DoloresFournier by using code WORLDKIDS10.