Melbourne label Garage Bands is celebrating imperfection through handmade jewellery
IMAGE VIA @GARAGE.BANDS/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“It is often less about a perfect product and more about an emotive response and a celebration of the ideas, imperfections and individual expression.”
Kurt Jacobson‘s jewellery is refreshingly unpolished. Not in the literal sense (a word to the wise, “probably don’t polish jewellery in your bedroom”), but in its organic and explorative nature; a beautiful mess of sterling silver and colourful lab-grown gemstones. Kurt’s jewellery brand is aptly named Garage Bands, taking loose inspiration from the raw edges and individual expression of the garage rock genre.
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Kurt’s jewellery-making began as a hobby, one he performed with “files, a knife and a lighter” in his garage. Now in a more professional realm of the industry, the tools have improved – but everything is still lovingly handmade from his shed-turned-studio. Below, Kurt tells us the story of Garage Bands so far.
Tell us about you. What is your fashion background?
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My name is Kurt. I am a self-taught jeweller and have been making jewellery since 2017. I started Garage Bands in 2020 and it’s my first project in fashion.
How did the label get started? Talk us through the process and challenges.
At the beginning it was just a hobby, [but] after a few years I started casually selling jewellery to people I knew and friends of friends. The more pieces I made, the more I realised I wanted to make it my career. Creating the label was a way of making myself commit to it and forced me to leave my previous industry.
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In the beginning, one of my main challenges was having restrictions in terms of equipment and time, as I was using basic tools (files, a knife and a lighter) from the hardware store and working with limited funds for materials. Also, building an online audience was also a learning curve for me, as most of my previous sales came from word of mouth.
What were you trying to achieve from the project at the time? How has this evolved and what are you trying to communicate from the brand now?
At the time, it was my way of giving myself the most possible time to do what I loved doing. Making each piece personally by hand was important to me and the values of my brand, as I wanted each piece to be different and unique… even if only slightly. I tried turning a couple of my designs into molds once; financially it made things easier but I feel like my pieces lost a lot of their heart and what made them special. So that was a very short-lived trial.
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I do think I am now far more confident in what I am capable of and understand the language of the materials I work with, which allows me to translate my ideas better in my designs. I am currently working on only doing custom orders every now and again and focusing more on one-off designs. This change will allow me to have even more agile practice and will reduce creative restrictions in my design… [I] can make what I feel like at the time.
Where did the name come from?
The name is a play on words, mimicking the name of the music genre. It is mostly because I make bands in a garage but can relate to the music style in its execution. It is often less about a perfect product and more about an emotive response and a celebration of the ideas, imperfections and individual expression.
What did you wish you knew when you started?
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Don’t say yes to everyone… I felt when I started I would, and eventually [I] ran myself into the ground, as I wouldn’t have time to work towards what I feel are satisfying pieces. It’s okay to try stuff for a few months and move on if it is not feeling right. Also, wear PPE and probably don’t polish jewellery in your bedroom.
What do you think is most exciting in fashion/jewellery in Australia right now?
I think it is exciting how the industry as a whole has become far more open and welcoming to new designers and creators. There is such a strong support network and always people within [the] industry willing to help and pass on information and helpful advice.
What about the Australian fashion/jewellery industry needs to change?
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Brands faking sustainable and ethical practices and using buzzwords for marketing when in actual fact, [the brands] do not have ethical or sustainable practices or production methods.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
Through garagebands.com.au you can get ready-to-ship pieces and customisable designs. There are one-off designs on… [the] Apoc Store and at AGWA Design Store. Or send through an email to kurt@garagebands.com.au for any ideas for customs.
Who is in your wardrobe right now?
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From other jewellers, I mostly wear chains and pendants. Every day, I wear Bleach Jewellery. Also in the rotation is Kick in the Eye, Sguscio, Niix, Mgn Jewellery, Sacreflux, Itchy Glass and Camille Paloma Walton.
Anything else to add?
Please try making jewellery, have a nice day.
For more Garage Bands, head here.
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