SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – At a time when objects can be mass produced, trend-driven, and easily imitated, 13 Lucky Monkey – a unique accessories brand that focuses on creating original, handcrafted rings – emerges.
Dante Dizon, a creative director for Leo Burnett by day and jeweler by night, and Noli Coronado, a full-time sculptor, jeweler and bike builder, are the duo responsible for these wearable art pieces.
The artisans move away from the glossy jewelry pieces found in the fashion market, instead taking inspiration from their own lifestyles; rooted in their love for motorcycles, tattoos, Kustom Kulture, rock n’ roll, and religious iconography. The result is a raw, rough, and rugged aesthetic that evenly reflects the spirit of what Dante and Noli celebrate.
13 Lucky Monkey is refreshingly authentic; with their design philosophy, process, and motivations filled with integrity to the craft, patient dedication, and honest, culture representation. 13 Lucky Monkey presents an alternative angle on what modern, handcrafted, Filipino jewelry can look like.
Rappler talks to Dante Dizon as he breaks down the concept of 13 Lucky Monkey in the next 13 Questions.
1. Tell us the story on how you and Noli started 13 Lucky Monkey…
We started 13 Lucky Monkey 5 years ago because we couldn’t find rings that we liked or could afford. Like our motorcycles, we decided to make our own. We integrated all the characteristics of what we missed in other rings into our own.
2. ‘Grit’ vs. ‘Glam.’ What inspired the dark aesthetic behind the rings?
The motorcycles we ride are mostly old. With riding an old bike, there’s the patina brought about by age. We rarely have clean bikes, so the oil the rust all get together to form that unique look. We chose to reflect this into our pieces, raw, dark.
3. Why did you choose to work with the motif of skulls?
Skulls are the purest form. Peeled of all the layers it’s the skull beneath. The form before it turns into ash.
4. Your website says that you guys really ‘live the lifestyle.’ Can you give us a deeper look into what this lifestyle consists of beyond ‘rock and roll, tattoos, and religious iconography?’
The lifestyle is not being in a suit and taking a car to work, then putting leathers for the weekend. We ride our bikes every day as long as they’re running. Noli never leaves home without his leather jacket, I can’t leave home without my rings and my tattoos. Noli has a rock n roll band, I like to ride as much as I can. We wear our jewelry all the time it’s actually hard to let pieces go.
Video Clip from Manila Regardless (by Gung Ho Films)
5. How did you learn the art of handcrafted rings?
We actually studied on our own. Noli has always been sculpting; his last gig was with Marvel—making toys. When we started studying, he applied his sculpting expertise into the rings. We headed out to Baguio to learn from the old guys there and met a few guys who were only happy to teach us. We realized how lucky we were.
6. What materials do you work with, and why did you pick them?
We chose silver because it is traditionally what a biker ring would be made of. We also like how it can oxidize and blacken, have a nice patina through time. We like brass also because it ages well.
It usually starts with coffee and a sketch. A solid idea translates into a lot of things and is a great springboard. Noli sculpts it in wax, ideally we get to wear it in wax look at it 360, when we both agree, we then cast into silver.
A ring sometimes starts off well in wax but becomes more beautiful as she is turned into silver. A ring typically takes a month to finish – we do everything by hand. The longest ring we’ve made is almost taking a year to complete.
The rings are named after the important women in your lives. Name some of the women and what rings they inspired.Catherine, named after my wife, is one of our first rings. Elvira, Noli’s grandmother, also inspired our very first ring.
8. You guys keep your quantities from 13 to 26 pieces maximum, and after this is sold, you ‘retire’ the design. Why did you decide to keep your quantities limited? Why not just keep selling?
It feels right if you don’t repeat… the customer gets something unique.
9. In an age where brands easily copy other brands, how do you guys find your authenticity?
We value originality to the point that we have refused to do customer requests to copy other rings. We respect other designers. We keep updated through magazines and blogs…once someone does it already we avoid it.
10. Best compliment you received about the rings:
“It feels like a tattoo. It should’ve been on my finger the whole time.”
11. Do you plan to create other metal accessories, or expand the line to different products?
Yes, rings will always be a staple. We’re trying cuff links, money clips, pendants and we also do bike jewelry, as in bling for your motorcycle.
12. What key lesson can you share with other designers/entrepreneurs?
We liken this journey as you would on a bike. A bike doesn’t have reverse gears so you can keep on going forward. Sticking to your guns not bending will take you far. – Rappler.com
The 13 Lucky Monkey rings are available at AC+632 in Greenbelt 5, Cura V in Rockwell, and ships internationally at 13LuckyMonkey.com
Victoria HerreraVictoria Herrera is a TV and event host, model, and writer. In 2011, she released her first book, “Unscripted,” based on inspiring conversations on her previous radio show. In 2012, she hosted Runway TV Asia where she interviewed international fashion designers and celebrities. Currently based between Manila and Singapore, she continues to explore the world of creativity, design, and fashion as a contributor for several magazines and newspapers.
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