ÉLIDA C: Jewellery inspired by nature
Jewellery that captures the essence of nature and literature.
Élida C is formed by the designer Marc Lago and the photographer Alan Díaz. Together they have combined their creativity and created a brand inspired by nature and various literary characters they admire. Their brand is not just the final products that can be seen on their website, but the entire universe created around them.
Tell us about yourselves and your work. Where did your vocation begin? Any first memories?
Élida C It was born 4 years ago following a trip we took to the Azores. Inspired by nature and the colours of the islands, we decided to pool our creativity and share a project that spans not only our personal lives, but also our professional sphere.
What do you find most satisfying about your work, and is there anything you are particularly proud of?
Developing a concept and being able to bring it to life, whether it's through the pieces that Marc makes one by one, the website itself, the photographs... is something that gives us a great deal of satisfaction. We would never have thought that the two of us could become so integrated in the creation of an entire universe that revolves around our brand.
What is your creative process like, what are your sources of inspiration, any particular music while working?
The creative process when making a piece is very artisanal. After rescuing the pieces that we will use, whether from antique markets or small local shops, Marc gets down to work and that is how our final product emerges.
Inspiration comes from everywhere, whether going to an art exhibition, watching a film or even listening to music. We have a created playlist that charges us with energy and inspiration. It consists of artists such as Kate Bush, Al Green, Björk, Air and many others.
Favourite colour, book, film and record - in that order! ;D
We both have quite different tastes that together create a synergy.
Marc: white, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Interiors by Woody Allen, Rest by Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Alan: blue, Madame Bovary, In the mood for love by Wong Kar-wai, Aaliyah's self-titled album.
Is your home a reflection of who you are? Tell us what it smells like, your favourite corner, your favourite decorative object or piece of furniture, if you treasure a collection... And if you have a pet, introduce it to us!
Totally. A place would never feel welcoming if it didn't reflect the reality of ourselves. Our house always smells of the Neroli and Ginger candle from Rowse, our favourite spot together is the sofa, where we can read a book or watch a film.
As our favourite object, both of us chose a rather abstract painting with different shades that fits perfectly into our dining room and gives us a great deal of energy.
You could say our collection is all the books we have in our bookshop; we love collecting art books in general, and I think there'll come a time when we'll have to consider moving to a different flat simply because the bookshop will be too small for us.
If you could buy anything right now and take it home with you, what would it be? Anything at all!
We would buy ourselves the Tizio lamp designed by Richard Sapper.
A great plan at home always includes...
A good film.
Do you have a signature dish?
Galician stew.
Where is your favourite place in your city and abroad?
In Barcelona we are passionate about the Miró museum and all its surroundings. The parks around it are gorgeous and spending an afternoon in Caelum having cheesecake. Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.
Anything you want to tell us that we haven't asked you, speak now or forever hold your peace!
The name behind our brand, Élida C, is a tribute to Marc’s grandmother and the source of our inspiration. She was passionate about accessories and used to collect box after box full of earrings; they were her little treasure.
