There’s a quiet strength in the jewelry of Alice Protopopescu, the creative
force behind Monnui. Rooted in introspection and an emotional approach to materials, her pieces invite reflection rather than spectacle. After winning the Alchimia Award, Alice continues to shape a poetic universe where transformation, melancholy, and the beauty of imperfection coexist in delicate harmony. We spoke with her about her practice, her evolving relationship with materials, and how emotional states inform her work.
Winning the Alchimia Award is a significant milestone. How do you see it reflecting your voice as a designer?
Winning the Alchimia Award was a powerful confirmation of the direction I have taken in my work. It showed me that my focus on process, material, and emotional depth connects with others. It also gave me the chance to continue learning and developing my voice as a designer in an environment that values experimentation and personal expression.
The Monnui universe is both poetic and introspective. How does that inner world translate into your jewelry pieces?
Monnui is about quiet feelings, reflection, and the space between thoughts. I try to bring this mood to my pieces by working with soft shapes, subtle contrasts, and materials that respond to light and touch. I do not set out to make bold or decorative jewelry. Instead, I want the pieces to feel personal, like something that holds a small part of someone’s inner world.
What materials or techniques are you currently drawn to and how do they support your storytelling?
Lately, I’ve been drawn to working with glass, metal, and more recently, wood. I use techniques like blowing, melting, and cold-working glass, and I often cast or shape metal by hand. Metal is a material I feel comfortable with. It’s stable and familiar, which gives me a sense of control in the process.
Glass is the opposite. It’s unpredictable and often surprises me. It pushes me to experiment, and through that, I discover new things. This contrast between control and unpredictability reflects many of the themes I explore, such as change and emotional tension.
At Alchimia, I also started working with wood. I found it very grounding and therapeutic. It introduced a slower, more meditative pace to my work, which added another layer to the way I think about materials and storytelling.
You often touch on themes of melancholy and transformation—how do those emotional states inform your creative process?
Melancholy and transformation are part of how I experience the world, and they come naturally in my work. I don’t try to hide imperfections or control every detail. I let the materials lead the way and often respond to what happens along the way. This helps me stay open to change, and the final piece often shows part of that journey.
Do you find your jewelry to act more as an object for contemplation or communication—or both?
I think it does both. Making the work is a quiet and personal process for me, but once the piece is worn or shared, it begins to communicate something. Even if it doesn’t say something directly, it can create a connection or a feeling. Some people see it as a conversation, others keep it as something meaningful only to themselves.
How has your personal evolution shaped the way you define beauty through jewelry?
Over time, I have come to see beauty in things that feel natural, honest, and alive, rather than perfect. I now pay more attention to texture, balance, and how a piece makes someone feel. I am less interested in following traditional ideas of beauty and more focused on creating work that has presence and emotional weight.
