Behind the Scenes Photographing Fall/Winter 2025-2026

The fall/winter 2025-2026 campaign, titled “Portal,” came together around the idea that everything we see is filtered through our own distorted lens. It’s an homage to trying to sift through that distortion to see the true nature of things. To glimpse ultimate truth.

That fact seems more apparent than ever, with different people living in what seem to be entirely different realities. With the fall collection consisting of pieces that call us back to nature, it begged the question: how are we even able to know what our true nature is, with these lenses of distortion covering our sight? This is, to be clear, more of a rhetorical question. One for exploration.

Model Rae Richards wearing the Drip Silk Cord Choker layered with a stack of jewels, and cardigan from MAX

Portals are also a continual theme in my work as a jeweler… I find the idea of liminal spaces that open up into different timelines, space, dimensions or levels of consciousness absolutely fascinating. I am a believer that such portals do exist, even in this 3D world of ours. That’s why so many of my pieces play with that idea. For the fall collection, two specific pieces spoke further to this: The Where the Light Comes Through Necklace, which is all about transmuting pain and darkness into light - ie when a break point or opening creates a portal into healing; and the Tete-a-Tete Bracelet, which a) simply just looks like I imagine a portal would, and b) is in fact an actual portal, offering a glimpse into the melding of two artists’ brains, a “conversation” of sorts between our work.

Matt Nager photographs Thaiara Keoninh wearing the Where the Light Comes Through Necklace, Prayer Necklace in Carnelian, and the Held Necklace, along with stacked hoops and bracelets.

In any event, heady concepts aside, we came up with some beautiful photos for this season’s campaign, and I’m sharing here some peeks at how we made it happen. Special thanks go to my photographer Matt Nager, Lillian Marsh for hair and makeup, models Thaiara Keoninh and Rae Richards, and assistants Anthony Duran and Brody Amor. Also thank you to MAX Clothing Stores, for lending wardrobe for our shoot, and to Studio Office LoHi for the space <3

Rae Richards wearing the Prayer Necklace in Lapis, Inverse Cuff and clothing from MAX

Thaiara layers the Vortex Chain, Metanoia Chain, and Duality Chain along with a stack of bracelets. Top from MAX.

Rae with the Where the Light Comes Through and Protective Eye Y Necklaces, with the Orbit Bracelet and Inverse Cuff and an assortment of rings. Clothing from MAX.

Behind the Scenes at Studio Office LoHi