Elysian Theory — Spring/Summer 2023 Collection
Seasonal Jewelry Lookbook session with designer Elyse Tolles —
Elyse Tolles is a Baltimore-based jewelry designer (and classically-trained musician) specializing in wax casting and intricate beadwork for her brand Elysian Theory
As a long-time follower of Elyse’s work, it felt a dream come true when she approached me about doing a cookbook shoot for her Spring/Summer 2023 collection. I was attracted to her work years ago when she was making clay beads by hand, and I have watched her style grow and evolve over the years into a brand that is elevated and elegant. A large part of this collection was created through the process of wax casting, wherein she creates the pendant, charm, what have you, which is used to create a mold. Then, you can choose any material you’d like to cast that piece in — in this shoot, we used all bronze pieces, but Elyse also works in silver and solid gold.
This gorgeous, considered collection naturally split into three looks, which I named Dainty Damsel, Ripples and Waves, and Soft Masculine. The Dainty Damsel look encompassed the Festoon pieces — delicate bows paired with colorful glass beads and pearls. Ripples and Waves reflected the seashell-like Coquille motif, and Soft Masculine formed the look for the Darling pieces, the Gimlet necklace, and the Initial necklace. These outfits were among my favorites I’ve ever styled, but what really took these photos to another level were the flowers arranged in my vintage vessels, styled by Kiara Rose of Indwell Floral. Kiara has been in my creative sphere for a while now in a few different forms, including my own wedding photographer — so I trusted her vision, and my goodness, did she deliver.
In Elyse’s words on this collection: “It is my sincere hope that every design will inspire the wearer to find delight and romance in the objects that surround them, and to express their individuality with meaningful and uncommon pieces — because beautiful jewelry should be for every day.”
Designer: Elysian Theory — by Elyse Tolles
Model: Alexandra Gómez
Makeup + Hair: Lena Walsh
Flower Arrangements: Indwell Floral
Photography, Styling, and Set Design: Me
If you’re a designer with an upcoming collection, or want to make a lookbook or product catalogue for existing designs, shoot me an email and we’ll start dreaming.
