Interview LINKKI Paris by Label AÉ Paris

The link is defined as something fluid used to link people, stories, or objects together. In Finnish the link is translated by the word Linkki and, when one takes a close look at the jewelry brand Linkki Paris, the definition of the link takes on its full meaning. The founder of the brand Enja Muinonen, offers jewelry created from silver rings linked to each other. Her jewelry symbolizes a bond with her father who transmitted her love and respect for the material. They also symbolize the designer’s link with the ancestral know-how of her country of origin, Finland. Rich in these links, Enja Muinonen offers to (re)discover the free, durable, and authentic link, with handmade and unisex jewellery. Discover his story and his journey through his confidences at the Label AÉ.

Can you introduce yourself in a few words ?

My name is Enja Muinonen and I am from Finland. I have lived in France for about thirty years and I founded my brand in 2018. I wanted to create jewelry in a style inherited from my father.
My father learned the trade from a gemological jeweler about 25 years ago. I was trained in jewelry making a very long time ago. I took other courses in Finland and later in France to improve myself in creation. But above all, I loved this mesh and the the history behind the jewels that my father made for my mother and for his three daughters.

I started to make some myself for friends or for family then, after a while, I had a click. I left the multinational company in which I worked for many years to devote myself entirely to the creation of jewelry. My personal situation allowed me to completely change course and devote myself to my passion. Since then I have had no regrets. I learned a lot and I like the diversity of this work. It’s not just jewelry making, there’s also photography, for example, you meet a lot of people. But there is above all this family bond and this family transmission which are very important to me.

What does Linkki mean ?

Linkki means link in Finnish. This name comes from several things. First, it was my father who taught me how to work, so the family bond is one of the main links behind Linkki. Then the link also comes from the manufacturing technique since the rings are linked to each other to create the jewel. Finally, one of the links that is also very important to me is the link that the jewel can create. I like the idea of ​​the existence of a meaning behind a jewel. The jewel refers us to a person or an event. There is obviously the human bond but also the fact of offering a jewel to oneself for an event of life. This is why I defend the idea of ​​the free link.

What are your main sources of inspiration ?

My jewelry looks like traditional Finnish jewelry with rings. I’ve always really liked this idea of ​​linked rings. It’s a bit like the chain mail that the Vikings made : it’s something very simple, very timeless and very unisex like most of my models. Besides, my father started by making jewelry for my mother and my sisters, but at some point the boys in the family became interested in it. So he started making them for boys too. The idea of ​​unisex jewelry also comes from this.

In the future, I seek to develop jewelry incorporating stones from Finland to perpetuate this know-how and the uniqueness of the models.

Do you have a favorite piece? If yes, which one and why ?

I have a favorite piece that my father made and that I make today. This is a bracelet he gave me over twenty years ago. This bracelet accompanies me. I carry it permanently with me as protection and strength. Otherwise I almost always wear a ring that is part of my collections. It goes very well with the bracelet although I could say that all the jewelry I make goes very well together.

What is a typical day like in your studio ?

There are several steps. First I work on the different types of rings needed to make jewelry. When I make the rings, I wrap the wire around a rod and then I saw it off by hand or with a small tool that I developed myself. I do all this on a support that my father made for me at the time. The rings are created from silver wire purchased from a metal recycler in Finland which is very well known in the Nordic countries. I usually do this in the morning because it’s very precise and meticulous work.
Once I have enough different rings, I make my jewelry. When the jewelry is made, I polish several of them together in a barrel with metal balls. That’s why it’s quite rare that I make a single model of jewelry from start to finish in a row.
Finally, each piece being handmade, all jewelry is unique.

You defend corporate social responsibility. Can you tell us more about this slow production approach ?

For Finish people, nature and the environment are very important. We see much more of the harmful effects of global warming in northern countries. We also have a somewhat special relationship with nature. Indeed, in Finland nature is very capricious with very cold and complicated winters at times, but we know that nature gives us everything: it protects us, it gives us food, it gives us our homes… Everything comes of nature and it is very important for me to respect it. It is for this reason that my supplier guarantees me at least 70% recycled silver thread. I also recycle my own waste by sending my leftovers from my production to my supplier. I also pay great attention to all the products I use so that they harm the environment as little as possible.

What do you think is timeless fashion ?

For me it’s more of a style. We are not in ephemeral fashion which changes every year. This is a style that all generations can wear. It is therefore not following fashion but following one’s style. A Linkki necklace can be worn with everyday clothes but also with a beautiful dress : you don’t need much else because the jewel dresses and accompanies all styles.

Why did you choose Label AÉ to represent your brand ?

I think my brand is completely in line with the AÉ Label. First of all, the international side speaks to me a lot, I find that Linkki fits in very well. Then, the products offered on the site are unique pieces, produced in small series, which are carefully chosen and highlighted by Label AÉ. In this, Label AÉ is not a fashion website : they offer timeless products that have a certain style.

I watch a lot of what’s happening in jewelry and I find that most of the products are similar. However, there are many small brands that offer different things, but it is difficult to find a place next to the big brands. A Marketplace like Label AÉ allows you to discover different things. Thus, in addition to being nicely done, the e-boutique allows to expose and preserve the diversity in the offer of today. To illustrate my point, we could say that if we eliminated all the little cafes, there would only be McDonalds left! (laugh)