"I want to remind you of your power, and together we will change the world"

Simon Alcantara

Simon Alcantara is an award-winning jewelry artist whose multidisciplinary practice encompasses jewelry, photography, film, and sculptural installations. His work moves between the intimate and the monumental, exploring the relationships between material, light, movement, nature, and the human experience.

Magical, whimsical, and modernist, Alcantara's creations celebrate individuality, imagination, and personal power. Through intricate handwoven structures, unexpected combinations of materials, and an intuitive approach to form, he creates works that invite curiosity, wonder, and a deeper connection to oneself.

A native New Yorker, Alcantara began his artistic journey as a professional classical ballet dancer, performing soloist and principal roles in the United States and internationally. His background in dance continues to inform his artistic language, particularly his understanding of movement, rhythm, proportion, and the relationship between objects and the human body.

His career in jewelry has included designing for prestigious fashion houses such as Mary McFadden, Oscar de la Renta, Balmain Haute Couture, and J. Mendel. He received the Rising Star Award for Fine Jewelry from Fashion Group International and was selected to create a subway-inspired accessory commemorating the centennial of the New York City Subway.

Alcantara's work has received extensive international press coverage, including twenty-five magazine covers. His iconic hoop earrings, worn by Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, have become a signature of his jewelry practice. Two decades later, another pair of his earrings was featured on Lucy Liu's character in The Devil Wears Prada 2, reflecting the enduring presence of his work in fashion and film. His creations have also been worn by numerous prominent figures in the fashion and entertainment industries.

In 2004, Alcantara became a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). He co-founded CREATIVE COLLECTIVE COL-LAB in 2013 and, together with Talya Cousins, established the Jewelry Designers of the CFDA Showcase later that year. In 2015, he was elected chairman of the Jewelry Designers of the CFDA Committee, serving through 2017.

In recent years, Alcantara has expanded his artistic practice through immersive exhibitions and installations that bring jewelry into dialogue with photography, sculpture, sound, and light. His projects explore the boundaries between adornment and art, transforming familiar materials into environments that invite contemplation and discovery.

At the heart of his work is a commitment to craftsmanship, experimentation, and the transformative possibilities of beauty. His intention remains to create something beautiful, meaningful, timeless, memorable, and powerful.

Chasing Perfection: The Role of Hand Weaving in My Creative Journey

“The core of my artistic practice revolves around hand weaving, a technique that I use consistently throughout my work, ranging from the most intricate to the most minimalist pieces.

Hand weaving holds a deep connection to my ancestral roots, and I view it as a crucial element in my creative process. My dedication to refining my weaving skills is unwavering, as I aim to achieve a level of mastery that is as close to perfection as possible.”

Simon Alcantara

The Shape of Sound: How Music Inspires My Art

“Music has a compelling effect on me, and I see shapes when I listen to it, much like architecture. This ability proved very helpful in quickly learning choreography during my past career as a dancer.

When creating jewelry and art pieces, I translate the shapes that I ‘hear’ into my work and imagine how they will complement and interact with the movements of the human body, almost like a dance.”

Simon Alcantara