Stéphanie D'heygere: When Jewelry Reinvents the Accessory

D’heygere reinvents jewelry by transforming everyday objects into fashion accessories, bridging conceptual art and functionality. A Belgian-born founder and creative director, Stéphanie D’heygere graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 2009.

“Accessories are supposed to accessorize your outfit, but now, with D’heygere, you can actually accessorize your accessories.” — Stéphanie D’heygere

D’heygere reinvents jewelry by transforming everyday objects into fashion accessories, bridging conceptual art and functionality.

A Belgian-born founder and creative director, Stéphanie D’heygere graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 2009. After several experiences in major fashion houses, where she notably headed the jewelry department until 2015, she joined another house as a senior designer before embarking on a freelance career. Since then, she has collaborated with the new guard of Parisian fashion and accessories, partnering with brands such as Longchamp, Bic, PZToday, Dada, Souvenir Official, ECAL, Deewee, Wouters & Hendrix, and Gentle Monster. Concurrently, she has taught since 2015 within the Master of Arts in Fashion and Accessory Design at the Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD).

Her eponymous brand, D’heygere, launched during Paris Fashion Week in January 2018, was quickly acclaimed by the industry. She won the 2018 ANDAM Accessories Prize, notably thanks to her unisex, inventive, and thought-provoking pieces that blend form and function with a bold minimalism. In 2023, D’heygere was awarded the French Ministry of Culture's Fashion Project Grant, confirming her avant-garde positioning.

Brass Canister Bear Necklace, D’HEYGERE

A Singular Aesthetic Between Art and Functionality

D’heygere’s creative universe draws strong inspiration from artistic avant-gardes, particularly the works of Marcel Duchamp and Marcel Broodthaers. The brand explores the interactions between opposites: luxury and the ordinary, reality and representation.

Stéphanie D’heygere thus transforms everyday objects into elegant and functional jewelry, crafted in Italy using noble materials such as 925 sterling silver and leather. This distinct approach highlights artisanal heritage while offering a resolutely contemporary and poetic aesthetic.

Canister Hoops: The Brand’s Icon

Among her flagship pieces, the Canister Hoops perfectly embody the D’heygere philosophy. These earrings feature a small compartment that allows the wearer to slip in personal items: a flower, a cigarette, a keepsake... These jewels thus become modular, mirroring the unique personality of each individual.

Stéphanie D’heygere explained to The New York Times in 2018:
“Accessories are supposed to accessorize your outfit, but now, with D’heygere, you can actually accessorize your accessories.”

These Canister Hoops are crafted in Italy from 925 sterling silver and leather, symbolizing the perfect alliance between traditional craftsmanship and innovative design.

Polycarbonate and Silver DVD Hoop Earring, D’HEYGERE

Prestigious and Eclectic Collaborations

D’heygere regularly enriches her universe through varied and creative collaborations:

• Longchamp: A marriage of quality leather and fine metal,
• Bic: A bold alliance between design and everyday objects,
• PZToday, Dada, Souvenir Official, ECAL, Deewee, Wouters & Hendrix, Gentle Monster: Countless collaborations highlighting the versatility and modernity of the brand.

These partnerships reflect D’heygere’s ability to navigate between the worlds of fashion, design, and art, while constantly innovating.

Where to find her creations?
On the official website: https://dheygere.com/ and on https://www.instagram.com/

Transmission and Pedagogical Commitment

Alongside her creative work, Stéphanie D’heygere has taught since 2015 within the Master of Arts in Fashion and Accessory Design at the Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD). There, she shares her innovative vision and expertise, encouraging students to explore the relationship between functionality and aesthetics in jewelry, while honoring traditional craftsmanship.

D’heygere thus embodies a new generation of designers who are reinventing jewelry through a subtle balance of art, design, and functionality, offering pieces that are simultaneously bold, elegant, and deeply meaningful.