MARGAUX GRIPON, DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF ŌKAN STUDIO

This time, it's me Margaux, the founder of ŌKAN STUDIO who lends me to the interview game. I'm taking stock of my journey, explaining to you how I imagined the KIRA edition, my third since the launch of ŌKAN in 2019, and how I got out of my comfort zone.

I hope this interview will help you understand my journey, what pushed me to create KIRA and that it will inspire you with strength and self-confidence.

KIRA EAR PICK , NAMI PIERCING AND KIRA OPEN RING

Manon: Hello Margaux, how would you describe your approach for the KIRA edition?

Margaux: When creating a new edition, we often feel dizzy and wonder if we will succeed in renewing ourselves. Today it’s been three and a half years since I founded ŌKAN. My collections evolve as I do, I gain more confidence, I have more experience and I want to surprise more.

KIRA DOUBLE RING , KIRA EAR PICK , KIRA OPEN RING AND KIRA CUFF

Manon: What are your inspirations for this new edition?

Margaux: For this new edition I drew a lot of inspiration from the work of Zaha Hadid, who is a great architect. It offers buildings with organic shapes which are spectacular with very dynamic play of curves.

Manon: How did you get out of your comfort zone?

Margaux: I really went beyond my comfort zone when creating my first chain: the KIRA Chain Necklace. I had to master new 3D design techniques to be able to make these shapes which look so simple but which have real complexity.

KIRA CHAIN NECKLACE , KIRA DOUBLE RING AND KIRA EAR SCULPTURE

Manon: How does this new edition fit in with continuity? And what is different from previous editions?

Margaux: What doesn't change with the KIRA edition is my desire to inspire strength and courage. Although the new designs are lighter and more fluid, they do not lose their power. We find my taste for dynamic curves but what changes is that they are now three-dimensional, elusive and even incisive, especially with the KIRA ear pick!

KIRA EAR PICK , NAMI PIERCING AND KIRA OPEN RING

Manon: Can you tell us about the KIRA ear pick?

Margaux: This piece was my entry key to this new edition. It is thanks to her that I was able to define the codes for all my parts. It was really by doodling by chance, by making dynamic curves of the wrist that I managed to find this shape which releases an energy and a force which immediately won me over.

KIRA EAR PICK

Manon: What is the link with Matrix?

Margaux: Kira is also the name of the heroine of this new campaign. It refers to a strong female figure: The character of Trinity in The Matrix, one of my cult films! Like Trinity, Kira is a warrior woman, full of courage and personality. She politely provokes and encourages the viewer to emancipate themselves and reveal their inner power.

Manon: Why KIRA?

Margaux: I chose this name, KIRA, because it is the diminutive of “kira kira” in Japanese which means radiant and it is the Japanese pronunciation of the English word killer. I liked this contrast between shadow and light, caressing the spiciness and I also wanted to suggest the idea that by wearing my jewelry you feel armed and you radiate your inner power.

NAMI PIERCING , KIRA EAR SCULPTURE , KIRA CHAIN NECKLACE AND KIRA OPEN RING

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MARGAUX GRIPON, DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF ŌKAN STUDIO

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