Art, and the Impact of Authenticity.
Unhada's Dynasty Collection
As an artist, my job is to present my work in the most authentic way possible. And yet, I often find myself retreating—not from authenticity itself, but from showcasing it to the world. Because Unhada is a piece of me, and for the last twenty years, I’ve been fiercely protective of it. Some pieces have even spent nearly a decade tucked away in my safe, waiting for the right moment to be seen—waiting for the world to be ready.
Lately, clarity feels harder to hold onto. I have never struggled so much. Between the flood of visual influences on social media, the chaos of the world around us, and my own life as a mother of three young girls, staying true to my vision is something I desperately strive for.
This version of Unhada’s story was, in part, inspired by a woman who lost everything in the LA fires—her home, her store, her sense of security. As an empath my heart sinks every time I think about her. But what struck me most wasn’t her loss; it was her unwavering dedication to her own authenticity. No matter how devastating her reality, she still chose to show up and connect with her audience. It felt almost therapeutic, a way of rebuilding something unshakable within herself.
And that’s what I come back to when I think about why I need to be authentic as a jewelry designer.
Without sincerity, how does one truly connect? If my pieces aren't pure in a sense, that doesn;t allow for connection, and without that, why would anyone want to take them home, cherish them, and weave them into their own stories? Because unless you pour your heart into your work, it isn’t truly yours to tell.
They say artists carry the worlds pain. And that we are brave enough to showcase it.
In a roundabout way, this idea of art and authenticity, suffering an artist must endure to preserve their art, has shaped my next collection. I’m taking a different path—playing with new mediums, presenting Unhada in ways I haven’t before. It feels thrilling and vulnerable at the same time. With authenticity comes risk—the risk of being misunderstood, of rejection. But without risk, is there ever true reward?
For me, the purpose of Unhada has always been clear: to make others feel instantly magical. To transport them to fantasy lands that don’t exist—because why not? That ability to be whisked away awakens something powerful within, a reminder of your own inner magic. My jewelry has always been a kind of talisman, a magic wand that grants this. I take that responsibility very seriously.
Since the birth of Unhada, during my years as an expat in Bangkok, my themes have seldom waivered... I’ve always been drawn to the same influences—fairy tales, celestial skies, tea parties, bows, and the cultures of this world that have shaped me(particularly my deep affinity for Asia).
Maybe that’s why Walt Disney has always fascinated me. He dreamed of transporting people into otherworldly realms and actually achieved it tenfold—complete with fairy tales, twinkling lights, and even spinning tea cups at an Alice in Wonderland tea party. His ideas created infinite possibilities.
Sometimes, I wonder if my own ideas are getting old. But do great ideas ever truly age? Or do they just evolve, revealing new layers, new possibilities? I think that’s what it means to be an authentic artist—having the courage to reinvent, to push the boundaries of your process, to step into the unknown.
So here I am, stepping into something new. It feels true. It feels right. And with that, the magic continues…I cannot wait to share it with you!