Michael Almonte, Creative Director & Jewellery Designer

What was life like growing up in Tokyo? How did these early experiences shape who you are today as a jewellery designer?

I was born in the Philippines and moved to Tokyo when I was really young. I moved to Tokyo to be with my dad and family. My family lived in Meguro which is centrally located and sophisticated. Japanese people are very specific and pay attention to details. They work hard and are very professional. I had to learn their culture, language and values to be able to cope. I fell in love with the minimalist approach of the Japanese in architecture, fashion, interior design etc. That’s the reason why Tokyo has had a massive influence on my life, my designs and my work ethic.

Can you give an insight into your time spent working for Hermes in London and Ralph Lauren in Sydney and London?

I got my first job in Sydney at the Ralph Lauren. I fell in love with the brand’s history, heritage and products straight away. I stayed for four years and moved to UK.

London is a very exciting city. Being inspired by Ralph Lauren I went to the Ralph Lauren in New Bond Street. I started working for Ralph Lauren FLagship Store in London (in charge of Men’s Purple Label). It was a great experience because I was exposed to different types of Ralph Lauren vintage accessories, Purple Label suits and high-profile clients. The best part was I was trained by these amazing people who had been with the company for almost thirty years. I was so inspired had intensive training regarding products, craftsmanship, management and self-development.

After my first year in London I decided to get more experience and travel around Europe. I worked for Hermes which is one of the best luxury brands in the world. I had the opportunity to work with perfume and high end accessories including bags, shoes, scarves and high jewellery etc. The various training procedures really shaped my taste and appreciation of fine craftsmanship but the best part about working for Hermes was my team who were like a family to me. Living and working in London has definitely been one of the highlights of my life so far.

With your background in fashion and design overseas and locally what advice would you give when accessorising with jewellery? Is less really more?

That depends on the client. You have to know your client personally. With my jewellery I like designing different styles with a minimalist approach so you can always dress it up or tone it down. It’s easier for clients to mix and match with their everyday style too.

I like the idea of minimalism and less is more. Ever since I was young I have always loved the idea of simplicity and quality. Someone wearing a crisp white shirt, nice jeans and simple well-designed jewellery is really sexy, powerful and sophisticated but effortless.

Your overseas adventures must have broadened your design perspective. What trends in jewellery are emerging from the world’s fashion capitals?

That was one of the reasons I travelled around Europe to broadened my perspective in general and my designs, lifestyle, culture and as a human being. I want to draw my inspiration from how different people live their lives, their emotions during certain situations and how their culture shapes them as a person.

I want my designs to be relevant for a long time. That’s the reason why I don’t base my designs solely on trends and fashion although I do take new trends and fresh ideas as inspiration.

To be honest, it’s great to be updated and to see the latest trends from all over the world. It gives you fresh ideas but it’s a bit tricky though because sometimes you tend to lose your identity and your aesthetic chasing trends and fashion. It’s better to know where you and your brand stands in a competitive market and how to use those trends to elevate or refresh your ideas and designs without losing your brand identity. At the end of the day, what is important is knowing what you and your brand stands for and to remain relevant to the world.

How would you describe the ALMONTE range of jewellery so far?

My jewellery started from the things that I want to wear and I still love wearing my first collection that I designed a few years ago. One of the ideas behind my brand was to design pieces that will remain relevant for a long time.

My designs relates to my life. I was living in Sydney when I started my first collection then I moved to London and travelled around Europe. It gave me a certain edge in life and also with my designs. I was exposed to different cultures and that multiculturalism moulded me as a person and a designer. 

Can you unveil your future plans for the ALMONTE brand?

My vision when I started the brand was to create the kind of jewellery that teams well with a crisp white shirt. I always dream of that effortless look for men and women but I want to create more pieces that are well thought through and more complex but effortless. Without losing the identity of the brand, I want to create designs that are complex but will remain relevant for a long time.