Milky coral iridescent in the sea. A leopard’s spots skulking among jungle foliage. Amber-coloured tones in tree branches. One look at the jewellery of Brazilian designer Vanda Jacintho and it’s impossible not to spot where she draws her inspirations from.

Formidable elements of nature – namely inspired by pride for her homeland Brazil and its verdant landscapes – infiltrate her unique, bold and earthy pieces – and the artistic craftsmanship means that the namesake brand, which was founded in 2014, has been an instant hit.

In each of the label’s collections, the jewellery is also complemented by luxurious pieces of swimwear, blouses and kaftans – for the full look, of course.

We sat down with the entrepreneur and creative director, and chatted about her Brazilian roots, celebrity muses and inspirations…

How did you start your brand?
I wanted a career change, a challenge. I had been working as a fashion editor and stylist for a few years in Brazil and London. Whilst I loved creating images I was getting tiered of attending shows and selecting trends.

Why jewellery after swimwear?
Crafting objects and creating designs is my passion. I found I can really use this skill when creating jewellery. Having grown up on the lush estate of my family in Brazil, I am inspired by textures from nature such as marble, wood, fungus. So I began to analyse materials that I was able to create this effect with, and resin is the richest material to create forms, shapes and textures.

It was launched in Brazil, how much has this contributed to the identity of the brand?
A lot! The brand is all about big, bold and bright, as Brazil is. I grew up in the countryside in Brazil, surrounded by animals, colours, waterfalls, sunsets and sunrises. It was natural that in my work everything is related to colour. The lush flora and fauna of Brazil, tigers prowling through the countryside, the sounds of the wildlife. When designing I think of all of this beauty and translate it envisaging a female making her way through the city jungle, bold and beautiful in her strength, ready to conquer the world without loosing her femininity and expression. My jewellery collection is a combination of nature and culture, I like to combine this – it is what jewellery and expression is all about.

What spirit do you think Brazil has that nowhere else has?
We intend to have more fun than any other nationality in the world. Brazil is about diversity, artistic splendour, music. A country full of colour, nature, rhythm and joy.

What kind of person have you designed the jewellery in mind for?
People that work in the art industry. My muse is sophisticated, speaks her mind, she is determined and lives in a creative environment. She lives consciously and likes to express herself.

This isn’t the first time you’ve launched a brand – what were the biggest challenges this time around?
To be more commercial and keep your identity at the same time. For me, keeping the brand niche has actually helped the brand to grow, as it remains to be something special and unique, my customers are return customers and though my collections change I make sure they all have the Vanda Jacintho identity. I have to admit that keeping the balance is difficult but it is crucial.

How do you want your customers to feel when they put on your jewellery?
In a scene with the Jean Cocteau crowd, surrounded by poets, play writers, novelists, designers, filmmakers. I want them to feel artistic and have freedom, to move freely and push boundaries of society.

Where do you get your inspiration from mainly?
The avant-garde art from Dadaism. The juxtaposition, the irrational and unconscious from Surrealism
patterns and textures. And of course always nature…

Who are your style icons?
Diana Vreeland because she was all about personality. Chloë Sevigny, she looks cools even in a plain t-shirt.

Who is your dream celebrity customer?
I like the type of celebrity that owns their own style and space. Jane Hopper, I love her androgynous style and the way she has grown up to have something very chic and special about herself. For me this is the new cool generation. Natasha Lyonne from Russian Doll, she has the perfect mix of life experience and attitude. She is her own personality and has a strong sense of character which is expressed in her look. Juliette Lewis was amazing in Natural Born Killers, she was my childhood muse and she has never quite left my mind. Mary Kate Olsen has style and it’s definitely her own. She wears a lot of vintage which is one of my passions.

Find out more about vandajacintho.com