Nadia Klionsky

This scarf reflects my dreams of India, and the flowers and wildlife found there. I was inspired by the symbolism of its flowers: Dahlias, which represent dignity and elegance; bluebells, which represent humility and gratitude; marigolds, which represent passion and creativity; nasturtium, which represent strength, protection and conquest; bi-colored roses, which represent unity and enduring love; and the rose-ringed parakeet, which represent love and friendship. In every flower, bird and tiger, there exists a world of symbols.

This scarf was inspired by my travels to Turkey, where I walked through local markets, filled with colorful patterns and textures. I always search for meaning and symbolism as a way to weave history into my designs. The tassel here represents power and prestige. Records show that it has been used throughout history since the time of King Tutankhamun of Egypt and became established as a trend in 16th century France.

This piece was completed for the holiday line at Echo, and includes a combination of pencil sketches and ink drawings which I did of Grand Central Station, the iconic symbol of New York City. As I sat in the vast main hall and studied the smallest details of the building architecture during holiday rush hour, I tried to capture the heart of New York -- chaotic, and yet serene under the teal-colored ceiling. This is the magic of my New York, the symbol of its history.

This piece was inspired by the colors of Colombia. My research for this project included exploring Colombian flora and fauna, learning about the colors that are important to Colombian culture and heritage, and looking at local arts and crafts. Every element of the design, every stich and bead, was painted using watercolors.

The inspiration behind this scarf comes from a 19th century French tradition known as globe de mariée, or “marriage globe.” Newly married couple would be presented with a globe glass case filled with memorabilia from their wedding day. Each item inside the globe would hold some unique meaning for the couple. Among these items, globes would commonly include mirrors -- which reflect the soul and one’s inner truth. The house sparrows symbolize protection, joy and freedom. And the flowers evoke feelings of love, hope, wisdom and positivity.

This piece was inspired by the opulence of the Roaring 20’s, a time of pearls and parties, a bridge between historical times and our modern era. For this project, I took a close look at the art of designing and painting jewelry. Throughout this process, I learned the symbolism behind certain gems, which represent qualities such as power, love, strength and spirituality. All elements were painted in watercolor.

Pájaros Coloridos, or “Colorful Birds.” This scarf was born out of an imagined fairytale of colorful birds, that reminded me of the rich tropics in Central and South America. The colors are meant to express all of the life and freedom which these birds experience, as the mind lets them sore past the borders of this 36 x 36” square.

As the last land of earth to be touched by humanity, Australia has the oldest fauna and flora in the world, and was the last land to be inhabited by the earliest prehistoric nature. Blooms of Oceania presents just a few of these exotic plants and birds to inspire the imagination.

This scarf was inspired by the story of a sunken ship that was discovered off the coast of Colombia in 1708 which was turned into a tropical fantasy. Through this window, we see exotic animals and fish who swim curiously around the remains of the sunken ship and jewels of the shipwreck. 

Tarot cards bring us back to the fortune telling techniques of the medieval era. I was inspired by the worldview of that period, which is described through the usual characters -- the “Emperor,” the “Empress,” the “Magician,” the “Fool,” and so on.