The collection explores the transformative dialogue between body and object. Where value emerges from transformation, tension, and a commitment to sustainability and cultural narrative. "Confluência" uses materiality as both subject and tool: jarina, jacarandá, emeralds—each loaded with cultural memory—are not simply worn, they are bound to the body, carved into it, forced into relationship.
Inspired by the fluid, organic forms of Brazilian modernist art and the aesthetics of tension, asymmetry, and restraint and drawing on the Manifesto Antropófago (Cannibal Manifesto) as a conceptual lens, the collection reimagines luxury through a Brazilian perspective— centering symbolism, memory, and material origin.“Confluência” proposes adornment as a site of reflection and cultural reclamation.
This sculptural jewellery collection serves as an ode to Brazilian materiality. Celebrating the cultural significance and natural richness embedded in its native resources. It brings together jarina, reclaimed jacarandá (Brazilian rosewood), and Brazilian emeralds to explore value through memory, transformation, and place.
Jacarandá—salvaged from discarded furniture—is a critically endangered wood once abundant in Brazilian design and craftsmanship. Revered for its deep tone and prestige, it speaks to both environmental fragility and cultural heritage. Jarina, also known as ‘vegetable ivory,’ is a smooth Amazonian seed, here hand-carved to retain its natural asymmetry and organic tactility.
Brazilian emeralds, which propelled Brazil onto the international jewellery stage in the late 20th century, offer a symbol of visibility and legacy. Together, these materials subvert dominant luxury norms by presenting rarity, beauty, and refinement through sustainable and culturally grounded choices.
Materials: Reclaimed Jacarandá (Brazilian Rosewood), Jarina seeds, clear quartz and recycled silver.
Inspired by the organic shapes of seed pods and the flowing curves of Brazilian modernist art and architecture, these brooches, designed to be worn under clothing, subtly alter the body’s silhouette.
To anchor the hidden structure to the garment, I created a narrative of tension: one brooch “pushes” a sphere inward, the other “pulls” outward—using jarina and clear quartz to articulate this gesture.
Materials: Reclaimed Jacarandá (Brazilian Rosewood), Jarina seeds, clear quartz and recycled silver.
Inspired by the organic shapes of seed pods and the flowing curves of Brazilian modernist art and architecture, these brooches, designed to be worn under clothing, subtly alter the body’s silhouette.
To anchor the hidden structure to the garment, I created a narrative of tension: one brooch “pushes” a sphere inward, the other “pulls” outward—using jarina and clear quartz to articulate this gesture.
Materials: Reclaimed Jacarandá (Brazilian Rosewood), Jarina seeds, clear quartz and recycled silver.
Inspired by the organic shapes of seed pods and the flowing curves of Brazilian modernist art and architecture, these brooches, designed to be worn under clothing, subtly alter the body’s silhouette.
To anchor the hidden structure to the garment, I created a narrative of tension: one brooch “pushes” a sphere inward, the other “pulls” outward—using jarina and clear quartz to articulate this gesture.
Materials: Reclaimed Jacarandá (Brazilian Rosewood), Jarina seeds, clear quartz and recycled silver.
Inspired by the organic shapes of seed pods and the flowing curves of Brazilian modernist art and architecture, these brooches, designed to be worn under clothing, subtly alter the body’s silhouette.
To anchor the hidden structure to the garment, I created a narrative of tension: one brooch “pushes” a sphere inward, the other “pulls” outward—using jarina and clear quartz to articulate this gesture.
Materials: Reclaimed Jacarandá (Brazilian Rosewood) and recycled gold.
This asymmetrical choker is made from recycled gold and recycled jacarandá (Brazilian rosewood), salvaged from discarded furniture. Rare and now nearly extinct, jacarandá
holds cultural significance and prestige in Brazil and beyond used by furniture designers, instrument makers, and even its oil in the original Chanel No. 5.
The piece explores the dialogue between body and object, drawing on the organic, rounded forms of Brazilian modernist art and the visual language of binding and restraint.
The rich texture of the wood contrasts with its minimal structure, creating a quiet tension that invites the body to become both wearer and sculpture.
Materials: Reclaimed Jacarandá (Brazilian Rosewood) and recycled gold.
This asymmetrical choker is made from recycled gold and recycled jacarandá (Brazilian rosewood), salvaged from discarded furniture. Rare and now nearly extinct, jacarandá
holds cultural significance and prestige in Brazil and beyond used by furniture designers, instrument makers, and even its oil in the original Chanel No. 5.
The piece explores the dialogue between body and object, drawing on the organic, rounded forms of Brazilian modernist art and the visual language of binding and restraint.
The rich texture of the wood contrasts with its minimal structure, creating a quiet tension that invites the body to become both wearer and sculpture.
Materials: Jarina (vegetable ivory) and recycled gold.
Hand-carved from an Amazonian seed harvested sustainably by local communities, the form draws on the aesthetics of binding and restraint.
The ring explores what it means to bind material to the body—transforming both shape and meaning in an act of cultural reclamation.
Materials: Jarina (vegetable ivory) and recycled gold.
Hand-carved from an Amazonian seed harvested sustainably by local communities, the form draws on the aesthetics of binding and restraint.
The ring explores what it means to bind material to the body—transforming both shape and meaning in an act of cultural reclamation.
Materials: recycled gold, Brazilian emeralds and clear quartz.
This sculptural ring draws inspiration from the organic contours of seedpods, evoking a sense of growth and transformation.
At its center, a clear quartz cabochon rests like a droplet of water or a magnifying lens, subtly enlarging the landscape of the skin beneath it.
Materials: recycled gold, Brazilian emeralds and clear quartz.
This sculptural ring draws inspiration from the organic contours of seedpods, evoking a sense of growth and transformation.
At its center, a clear quartz cabochon rests like a droplet of water or a magnifying lens, subtly enlarging the landscape of the skin beneath it.
Materials: recycled gold, Brazilian emeralds and clear quartz.
This sculptural ring draws inspiration from the organic contours of seedpods, evoking a sense of growth and transformation.
At its center, a clear quartz cabochon rests like a droplet of water or a magnifying lens, subtly enlarging the landscape of the skin beneath it.
@estudiohelenapalmeira
Helena Palmeira is a Brazilian artist and designer whose practice explores the intersections between body, materiality, and cultural identity.
A graduate of Central Saint Martins (MA Design), Helena’s work is grounded in deep material research and an ongoing dialogue with historical, social, and personal narratives.
Through a sculptural and tactile approach, she reimagines objects as mediums of transformation, expression, and connection.
Sustainability, cultural memory, and the reshaping of form are at the core of her process, often working with responsibly sourced materials such as reclaimed woods, botanical elements, fairmined gemstones, and recycled metals.
London Design Festival
“No One Has Thaught Me This”
at Blackdot Gallery
9, Caledonian Road
London
19-21 September
2025
New Designers
at Business Design Centre
London
02-05 July
2025
(re)weaving Amazônia
at 79-81 Coal Drops Yard
Curated by Lilian Pacce and Marilia Biasi
London
24-29 June
2025
Degree Showcase
at Central Saint Martins
London
17-22 June
2025
Jacarandá Choker
Photo: Gleeson Paulino
Stylist: Marília Biasi
Model: Yasmin Morais
Jacarandá Choker, Jacarandá Bracelet and Jarina Ring
Photo: Gleeson Paulino
Stylist: Marília Biasi
Model: Yasmin Morais