Akiko Shinzato’s jewelry dares to make a statement. Not your run of the mill necklaces and bracelets, most of her pieces are actually worn on the face with interesting (albeit quirky) results.
In one of her latest collections, Shinzato created “Self Confidence Boosters” – ironic pieces of jewelry that help you get your chin up, literally speaking. “Making this collection, I imagined what might happen if Japanese education starts pushing student’s confidence at school,” she explained in an interview with wertn.
“This collection is a little bit ironic and shows Japanese inflexible education in a way. Although it looks like boosting and helping your confidence, the piece actually limits the body movements and forces you to be in a particular position.”
“It was made for an exhibition of art teachers in Okinawa,” she added. “The theme of the exhibition was ‘school’, so I wanted to make something related to Japanese education. Japanese people are usually shy and humble. I think it’s because we have a uniform education.”
Check out some of her unique pieces below.
