Louise Vurpas x Swantje Hinrichsen
Because our Tronches draw inspiration from childhood, drawing and imagination, we love inviting illustrators, graphic designers, designers, photographers and art directors whose sensibility, values and creative worlds resonate with ours to make them their own.
The idea? To give them complete creative freedom to reinterpret a Tronche through an illustration or visual creation, bringing their own perspective and style to it. It’s a lovely way to bring our worlds together and shine a light on each other’s work.
How it all began...
It all began with the most touching message:
“Hi Anthony,
I hope you’re well. My name is Swantje, and I discovered your beautiful work on Instagram.
Since the birth of my son Jokke, I’d been looking for a ring that would remind me of my pregnancy, his birth and, of course, my child. I’d never found the right one. Until yesterday!
I almost had tears in my eyes when I discovered the Tronches rings.”
When we learned more about the person behind the message, we realised we were already following Swantje’s work. We had long loved her colours, her faces and her playful, childlike world.
That was all it took to make us want to create something together!
Swantje, tell us about yourself
I’m an art director, graphic designer and illustrator based in Münster, Germany.
For nearly twenty years, I’ve been creating visual identities, books, illustrations and colourful worlds for brands of all sizes, with a particular fondness for projects aimed at children and families.
I love seeing the world through a child’s eyes and bringing a touch of innocence, curiosity and whimsy to my work. Bright colours, bold typography and playful shapes are central to what I do. I’m especially drawn to creations that tell a personal story.
I’m also the mother of a wonderful four-year-old boy who brings so much colour, joy and inspiration into my life.
Why Louise?
Because Louise’s "Tronches" (Mugshots) bring together so many things I love: bright colors, simple shapes, playful faces, and a touch of humor.
Each one has its own little personality and reminds me more of a miniature work of art than a piece of jewelry.
Their slightly imperfect, almost childlike character makes them warm, sincere, and full of life.
Swantje's ring
This ring is deeply personal.
It speaks of the birth of my son Jokke, of Jokke himself, but also of the baby I lost and named Tuuli.
Her name means »wind« in Finnish. Although I never had the chance to know her, in my heart she is a little girl: my child of the wind.
This ring holds all these memories, emotions and small details. To me, it’s a tiny portrait of both my children: Jokke, whom I can hold in my arms, and Tuuli, my child of the wind, whom I carry in my heart.
-
The two blue stones are inspired by Jokke’s eyes. The ring’s round shape, reminiscent of a full moon, also takes me back to the night he was born.
I can still see the moonlight coming through the delivery room window as he entered the world. It’s a moment I will
never forget. -
The red and green stones form the cheeks of this little face, creating a playful contrast. Alongside the blue eyes, they reflect my love of primary colours: colours I find joyful, vivid and wonderfully childlike.
To me, the open, teardrop-shaped mouth suggests an opening, a space through which the wind can pass and whistle. It connects the ring to Tuuli and brings another part of me into this little face.
What's next?
We asked Swantje to imagine two new little Tronches, with that unique style of hers, to bring them to life as jewelry!
The ring tells a personal story; the two Tronches extend this artistic encounter.
We can't wait to reveal the result to you... Stay tuned! 👀✨
BONUS: THE QUIZ!
The Tronches Quiz
Tronche de cake or a slice of cake? (»tronche de cake« means they have a funny, silly, ridiculous or slightly goofy-looking face)
Tronche de cake, always and forever.
What are you a Tronche at? (What are you a whiz at?)
Combining colours, shapes and typography, and playing with them. I also see faces almost everywhere! Sometimes I feel as though I’m being watched all the time. :-)
What makes you pull a Tronche? What makes you grumpy?
Injustice, Sundays, and a lack of colour and structure.
Which artist would you like to draw your Tronche? Which artist would you like to have create your portrait?
I couldn’t choose just one! Right now, I’d love to see a portrait of myself by Audrey Helen Weber, Mogu Takahashi or Adam Higton, for example. I love their playful, distinctive visual worlds, with their almost naïve, childlike quality.
The Jewellery Quiz
What musical gem are you listening to at the moment?
NAVA. I can’t stop listening to her! Born in Iran and now based in Milan, she blends her Persian roots with dark, experimental electronic sounds. I find her music powerful, distinctive and utterly captivating.
A little culinary gem you’ve discovered recently?
I’m afraid I’m still searching for that hidden gem in Münster. As an autistic person, I need all the sensory details to feel right: an interior that inspires me, a pleasant atmosphere, beautifully designed menus and, of course, excellent food.
For me, it’s the whole experience that makes a place truly special. BON BON HAUS is one of those rare places. It’s an interior design store with a café that opened in Münster last October. The interior, atmosphere and visual identity all work beautifully together. I’m also lucky enough to work with them as a freelance graphic designer, which makes the place even more special to me.
A kid-friendly gem in Münster?
Café Wilma is a real gem for an outing with children. They’re genuinely welcome there, as is everyone else, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Their cinnamon rolls are almost as good as my husband’s, which is the highest compliment I can give them!
I also love taking my son Jokke to the Charivari puppet theatre. It’s a charming little theatre where traditional puppets, handmade characters and carefully crafted sets bring imaginative stories to life. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic and magical about it, for adults and children alike.