GEMELA is a brooklyn based project of duality by identical twins Julie + Diana Verdugo that uses jewelry as a vehicle for positive favela storytelling.
Born in Detroit and inspired by art in the favelas of Rio, GEMELA is an exploration of art + design rooted in engineering theory, NGO favela work, and fashion + design experience. In every design we aim to reveal the positive story of Brazil's artistic favela communities that are often portrayed in a negative light.
SOCIAL IMPACT|Our pieces are designed to serve as wearable stories that transport positivity through thoughtful design and tangible community support, similar to the cable car (teleferico in portuguese) of Rio de Janeiro that Julie + Diana use to get from one point of the favela to another when teaching community art classes there.
DESIGN|Our geometric silhouettes are inspired by the angular shapes of the teleferico. All pieces are unisex and enjoyed on any + all fingers. We design our pieces in our brooklyn studio using the art of hand wax carving, metal smithing or 3D print processes. Each piece is made by hand in New York.
