Hervé Van der Straeten is a French designer who created vintage jewelry in a sculptural style. His works are known for their expressive and sculptural forms, combining craftsmanship and sculptural materials.
Born in 1965 in Brétigny-sur-Orge, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He began his career as a jewelry designer in 1985. He has collaborated with renowned fashion houses, including Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent.
In 1998, he opened his own gallery in the Marais district of Paris to display jewelry, furniture, and other objects simultaneously.
Marking: Van der Straeten’s jewelry is identified by one of two signs:
The most recognizable is the oval signature plate, which reads “Van der Straeten” in block letters.
Some earlier pieces are marked only with a combined HV symbol, hand-engraved into the metal on the reverse.
Materials used: bronze, silver-plated, or black-oxidized brass; some pieces feature semi-precious stones.
Hand-finished metalwork: the metal is hand-finished and then coated with a thin layer of 24-karat gold.
Combination of forms: for example, a chain earring can be a necklace, a cuff bracelet a distorted version of a console table.
In 2016, Van der Straeten’s jewelry was featured in the “MAD About Jewelry 2016” exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York.
In 2007, the French Ministry of Culture awarded Van der Straeten the “Living Heritage Company” label.
In 2008, the designer was named a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
