SNAKE1NTHE3Y3, a genderless contemporary jewellery brand founded by Puyu Liang in 2021, is making waves in the industry with its unconventional and timeless artisan creations. Drawing inspiration from the ouroboros symbol, SNAKE1NTHE3Y3 represents the eternal cycle of renewal and transformation in the world of jewellery design.

One of Puyu's standout pieces on the Cluster online store features a metal ring with half of a stone set inside, as if the metal has been broken to reveal the hidden treasure. This design highlights the conflict between two materials, showcasing the designer's keen eye for detail and fascination with the interplay of opposing elements.

Puyu's passion for wearable jewellery design was ignited in 2019, when she realized she wanted to create fine jewellery that people could wear every day. This realisation marked a turning point in her journey as a designer, who had initially been drawn to fashion artifacts. Over time, her dedication to transforming her ideas into tangible objects has fuelled her ambition to launch her own jewellery brand.

Bulgarian-born designer and artist Kalina Gospodinova, also known as X Kalina, has built a diverse career spanning over 20 years, working interdisciplinary and collaborating with prestigious artists in music, fashion, performance, film, and photography worldwide. Graduating with a degree in Industrial Design from the University of Arts in Berlin, Germany, she currently resides in Yucatán, Mexico.

Leather captivates Kalina as the oldest paper and most primal textile, with humans using it for nearly 7,000 years and developing various finishing techniques. Rather than learning traditional leather crafts, she started upcycling old leather garments a decade ago, allowing the material to teach her.

Kalina developed a fascination with leather while living in Berlin, upcycling vintage leather garments into ornate costumes and accessories. Through her practice, she has become intimately familiar with leather as a versatile textile, experimenting with cutting, knotting, and dyeing techniques to implement eco-friendly methods and produce virtually zero waste.

X Kalina honours leather as the most primal of all textiles, the "noble savage" of natural fibres. Her approach stems from a spiritual kinship with primitive and archaic crafting techniques, which she uses to cultivate an unconventional take on contemporary leatherwork. X Kalina blurs the lines between art, craft, and design, creating versatile, gender-fluid jewellery and adornments that encourage wearers to playfully interact with the pieces.

In her work, Puyu prefers using materials like sterling silver and stone, which allow her to showcase her design language through contrasting textures and natural colours. Her designs are often inspired by simple shapes, emphasizing the unique details and angles that can be found in each piece.

Puyu finds inspiration in various ways, from visiting national museums to exploring natural landscapes. She also enjoys watching fashion runways and shows to draw inspiration from different styles and atmospheres. Her creative process is enriched by her diverse experiences and her ability to find beauty in unexpected places.

When someone wears a piece of SNAKE1NTHE3Y3 jewellery, Puyu wants them to be captivated by the intricate details, shapes, and angles of her designs. Her goal is for people to lose themselves in the fascinating world of her creations, as they discover the subtle differences and complexities in each piece.

Kalina's favourite piece on the Cluster online store is the Azor, a small suede "wing" that embodies her design values: unique, gender-fluid, and versatile. Multidisciplinary in her work, she calls jewellery and body adornments "art to go," fascinated by the intimate relationship between human bodies and art.

Kalina finds inspiration everywhere. A curious and slow-paced person, she embraces the "free University of Nature" as her source and master. When someone wears her jewellery, she wants them to feel something, to experience and interact with the garment in a new way. For her, it's about creating a relationship with the piece, akin to climbing into someone's skin and walking a while in their shoes.