In a groundbreaking collaboration, Bixlers, America's Oldest Jeweler, partnered with Academy Award-winning production designer Patrice Vermette to create a unique luxury jewelry set, debuting exclusively at the 97th Academy Awards.
Introducing the Epic Sands Custom Cufflinks and Brooch
This unique set, celebrating Vermette's Oscar nomination for Dune 2 and the film's themes of multiculturalism, legacy, and ecological consciousness, brings together Bixlers’ legacy of craftsmanship and Vermette’s visionary artistry. The pieces are designed to reflect a nomadic spirit inspired by Vermette’s global location scouting for the film. The set was exclusively handcrafted in Bixlers’ certified sustainable atelier.
Bixlers CEO, Perry Sporn moved all manufacturing to a certified sustainable atelier in Montreal, Canada. The move was inspired by an opportunity to shift to 99% renewable energy and to be immersed in the city’s vibrant artist culture. Montreal-born Academy Award-winning Production Designer, Patrice Vermette is among the city’s most revered artists, having lent his talents to multiple award-winning Hollywood films. With a shared belief in art being core to the emotional needs of human beings, the meeting of Patrice and Perry seemed written in the stars.
As a fellow Montreal artisan, Perry wanted to collaborate on a custom piece based on Patrice’s vision. It was during the design process that Dune 2 was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Production Design for Patrice himself. The project soon evolved from a passion project between artists to a one-of-a-kind luxury piece destined for the red carpet. This gave Patrice and Bixlers’ artisans a narrow window of six months of research and development and three months of meticulous manufacturing to bring a dream to reality.
“The team of incredible artists that Perry gathered to make these very detailed unique pieces is a testimony to the passion that animates Bixlers into making every piece a true work of art. No wonder why they are leaders in fine jewelry."
- Patrice Vermette / Dune 2 Production Designer
A masterpiece of artistry and innovation
The Epic Sands Custom Brooch and Cufflinks combine Bixlers’ centuries-old fine jewelry traditions with the innovative creativity of Vermette. These unique pieces feature intricate clockwork mechanisms inspired by Bixlers’ centuries-old tradition of fine timepiece making. Crafted with architectural precision, the pieces were assembled by hand from nearly three dozen parts. The brooch is made of repurposed 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum which costs less energy to produce. Its diameter is 35mm with a weight of 42 grams. Seven ethically sourced rare black diamonds and nine ethically sourced “sawn” white diamonds renowned for their complex crystal structure (0.18 carat each), add the final flourish.
Ethically sourced materials, celestially inspired design
Ethically sourced Onyx was chosen for its rich historical significance and popularity in ancient jewelry and architecture. The juxtaposition of repurposed platinum creates a stark contrast that captures the bold Science Fiction and Fantasy aesthetic found in Patrice’s work.
But Onyx alone was not enough to bring the alien world to life. As work progressed, Perry saw the potential to create something truly exceptional. Moved by Patrice’s stories of traveling through Armenia and the modernist architecture he encountered there, Perry suggested glass and metal enameling be applied to the piece. Jewelry enameling dates back thousands of years and though widely used in European jewellery houses, it is considered obscure in North America.
The motifs of alien flora and fauna were brought to life using intricate hand-finishing, including the ancient technique of cloisonné enameling, led by Armenian-born artisan Gayané Avetisyan.
Enameling proposed the unique challenge of finding an expert enamel artisan who could perform such intricate detail work. It was then that the stars seemed to align again when Bixlers discovered Gayané, now working from her studio in Montreal.
"Bixlers approach to the art of fine jewelry is unmatched. I could not be more proud of these pieces.”
- Patrice Vermette / Dune 2 Production Designer
A sustainable and ethical approach
As with all Bixlers jewelry, the Epic Sands Custom Cufflinks and Brooch were handcrafted exclusively in North America at Bixlers' certified sustainable atelier in Montreal, Canada, powered by 99% renewable energy and made with 100% repurposed precious metals, reflecting the brand’s commitment to sustainability and ethical craftsmanship.
Tune in for the exclusive debut
The Epic Sands Custom Cufflinks and Brooch will be unveiled at the 97th Academy Awards ceremony, airing March 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET.
Watch as Patrice Vermette takes the red carpet adorned with Bixlers’ out-of-this-world creation.
