On February 8, Vogue Talks Returns With A Conversation On Craft and Creativity 

Vogue Philippines will host another Vogue Talks featuring Francis de Lara creative directorCreative DirectorThe person who sets the overall visual vision of a fashion house, publication, or campaign and guides designers, photographers, and stylists toward it. A creative director's influence shapes collections, imagery,Go to Creative Director Glossary and fashion photographer John-Paul Pietrus and JMA Jewelry’s Suzette Ayson. 

On February 8 at Edsa Shangri-La, Manila, Vogue Philippines will return with Vogue Talks, its ongoing series of artist talks that connects emerging Filipino creatives with industry experts. For its sixth iteration, fashion photographer and Francis de Lara creative directorCreative DirectorThe person who sets the overall visual vision of a fashion house, publication, or campaign and guides designers, photographers, and stylists toward it. A creative director's influence shapes collections, imagery,Go to Creative Director Glossary John-Paul Pietrus is joined by JMA Jewelry owner Jesusa “Suzette” M. Ayson for a conversation on craft and creativity. In their fields of photography and jewelry design, one thing they might share is their years of honing a tasteful eye. 

For one, Pietrus had always been drawn to the vibrancy of the creative industry, and most especially toward fashion. He began the foray into his creative pursuits as a news photographer in Hong Kong, finding a penchant for dynamic compositions in editorialEditorialA fashion or beauty story conceived, styled, and photographed for a magazine or website, built around a theme rather than a single product. Editorials let photographers, stylists, hair and makeupGo to Editorial Glossary and commercial fashion photography. It eventually led him to London, where he presently resides, using fashion as a lens through which to view compelling narratives and themes. Since then, Pietrus has added creative director and jewelry designer to his growing list of multi-hyphenate titles, founding the world’s first high jewelry-eyewear house Francis de Lara in 2016.

Ayson’s own love of craft, on the other hand, was passed down onto her through a family tradition of diamonds. She grew up with this intrinsic fascination for precious stones and fine jewelryJewelryDecorative adornments worn on the body, from fine pieces in gold, diamonds, and pearls to fashion jewelry made of accessible materials. Jewelry completes an outfit and often holds sentimental orGo to Jewelry Glossary, but always saw them in a different light; her brand JMA Jewelry was founded on the idea that diamonds encapsulate cherished moments in time. Ayson extends this sense of intimacy with her ever-growing network of clientele, whom she herself calls “family.” 

In a two-hour-long session spanning both of their talks and a question and answer segment, Pietrus and Ayson will talk about photography, their shared love of jewelryJewelryDecorative adornments worn on the body, from fine pieces in gold, diamonds, and pearls to fashion jewelry made of accessible materials. Jewelry completes an outfit and often holds sentimental orGo to Jewelry Glossary design, and how to build your brand as a creative and entrepreneur. To hear their insight in person, secure your spot for the upcoming Vogue Talks by getting a 3-month subscription, exclusively available on shop.vogue.ph.