Silver, 23.5ct gold, steel

A dream of flight

This headpiece was commissioned by Robert Hiller for his collection of contemporary tiaras, now part of the permanent collection at The Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City.

When I received the commission, I naturally looked to wings for inspiration. I’ve been captivated by their aerodynamic design and extraordinary beauty since I was a child. Long before I’d heard of ancient gods like Hermes or Mercury — or our modern-day superheroes — I dreamed of flight. In those dreams, I could defy gravity, rise into the sky, and soar above the world below... only to wake and remember my human limitations.

But what if I could make an object that might grant such power — even symbolically?