Nak Armstrong

A brilliant gem caught within chains of striking precious metals of various colors; that is typical of Nak Armstrong’s atypical jewelry design, which departs from standard metalworking to give a unique and elegant mood to classic combinations. Nak Armstrong has pioneered methods of setting stones in metal netting, and has begun trends many jewelry designers today have adapted for their own work.

Nak Armstong earned a B.A. at the honors Plan II College at the University of Texas where he mastered the artchitecture and visual arts stills he adapted for use in his jewelry design. He joined forces with Anthony Camargo to found Anthony Nak, a brand which earned the Fashion Guild International’s “Rising Star” award and the Perry Ellis Award for new talent. Celebrities Reese Witherspoon, Leanne Rimes, and the Bush twins have been spotted wearing Anthony Nak’s elegant designs.

While developing the Anthony Nak brand, Armstrong designed jewelry that would be characteristic of pieces created under his own name. The mint-green quartz necklace with a large oval shaped jewel flanked by chains of various hues and thicknesses communicates an elegant and bold statement.  This is a popular theme of contrast and harmony that appear in Armstrong’s solo designs. The contrast created by the many chains is reminiscent of Justin Guinta’s use of pearls in his sunken treasure necklace. Nak Armstrong tests the limits of balanced design in this piece while still retaining a classic, conservative look. Anthony Nak’s jewelry designs were displayed and sold at Barney’s and Neiman Marcus, until the duo disbanded in 2010.

Recently, Nak Armstrong launched his own brand, which is a stylish dialogue between gleaming precious stones and various forms of metal.  His Thai sapphire earrings are elegant and striking, with shining stones embraced in small curtains of metal chains. In other pieces the metalwork does not hang, but frames the jewel, allowing color to shine through the lace-like openings.

Nak Armstrong says of his jewelry designs: “I believe in constant evolution with a respect for history and those who have forged new paths. My work is both passion and perfection, understanding that both are intrinsic in the final outcome. I am truly content only when I have exhausted every possibility that I know and then try things that I don't yet understand. I believe that each piece I create should tell its own story – it should stand on its own, yet be linked to others in the collection simply by a common aesthetic, and as a reflection of my vision.”

Nak Armstrong is a member of the CFDA

Nak Armstorng and Nak Armstrong jewelry photos from http://cfda.com/

Nak Armstrong Logo:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nak-Armstrong/296475714404/