The Designer

Antonio Ben Chimol (Bologna, October 26th 1966) attended his higher education on dental mechanics until he leaves Italy, piloting sails through the Atlantic ocean. Due to those trips he arrives to Barcelona, after living in Martinica, Paris, Rome, London and New York.

He is a natural born artist who knows how to mix passion, courage, elegance, irreverence and provocation in each one of his creations.
His inspiration comes from what surrounds us, applied to unusual areas, where technology, mechanics or aeronautical engineering prevail, basic elements to reflect in his jewels, adapted in functionality, gears, resistance and genius.

15 years ago he was worldwide known for taking advantage using the magnetism for fashion jewelry, simplifying the pieces use and bringing beauty and originality to the clasps.

Design, craft and art, prototypical icons of Italian idiosyncrasies. Bologna, cradle of the world’s oldest university, is a clear model for this innovative manner.

Antonio Ben Chimol, from the same cradle, is a professional designer and natural born creative. He develops his activity at the fashion accessories design (bracelets, necklaces, bags...). His commercial origins are stablished in Barcelona, selling Bologna-style rice balls. This culinary specialty provided him with enough savings to open his first workshop in 2004. Since then, his projection just grew limitless. Nowadays his brand is sold over 26 countries around the world.

“The environment and the old tribes, with their ethnic concept, are my muses. I don’t follow fashion trends. I receive my inspiration from the nature, its colours and its beauty , my surroundings, the chances that come across from the modern technology materials. An inspiration work in a technological world.”

His branded designs generate complicity. “My work uniforms a tribe of people who look like me, who share the expression of my likes, of my shapes; ultimately, a tribe of people who think and feel like me. The globalization effect tends to obliterate the sense of belonging to a unique group. Me, in some kind of way, with the pieces I design, regroup all those who harmonize with my way. People choose my designs and embody them into their personal aesthetics, they get an emotional satisfaction, they feel happy because they find something which shows their inside out.”

In our world of images, immediacy and consumerism, the design products usually are eye-catchers for the buying impulse. “All we buy, everything we buy that is not a staple is actually consumerism. Even though, what is really important is the client’s satisfaction after the consumerism attack, having the pleasure from the design and quality joy of the acquired piece. It’s not about the purchase itself but the permanent pleasure the purchased item emanates. If a person arrives home and finds out the essence of this acquired item, rating its beauty and elegance positively, then that will be a healthy and happy shopping.”

The exotism of the designed pieces from the hands and heart of Antonio Ben Chimol could fit into a dental technician’s workshop.

“The search of materials it’s a constant challenge: technology at the service of innovation and innovation at the service of technology. The products I design are not just applied to fashion, they are also sold at Galleries’ gift shops, like in the New York’s MoMA. In fact, among the materials I use, only the leather belongs to fashion industry. All the materials have their own secrets and beauty, virtues and weak points, all of them abound something. Even the PVC plastic. I can get satisfaction from everyone of the material I work with.”

This sector has fierce competition, it’s not a big challenge for a creator like him; he’s just encouraged by the self satisfaction perspective. “I am true to my self; this makes me fearless and not being infoxicated by the challenges and ideas from the competition. I do really personal and original designs which has nothing in common with the rest of the designers. Thing my clients say.”

Source:
Ángel Font
Estética Corporal i Equilibri Emocional
Personatges de Catalunya. 21é Volum.