Client in the spotlight: Martine Hul from jewellery brand hulchi Belluni

26 January 2023 /

Our eyes light up because the new Hulchi Belluni catalogue is out. This jewellery brand is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional in our country. Not only does it stand out for its highly refined design aesthetic, but the label is also based on a unique vision: the collections are inspired by “Chi”, the positive life energy according to the Eastern philosophy of Feng Shui, which brings harmony to body and mind. We spoke with founder and inspirer Martine Hul. More than twenty years ago, she unleashed her vibrant creativity on the world for the first time. Since then, she has conquered most of that world single-handedly with her sublime collections.

Martine with model Jenna at the shoot in Morocco.
Hello Martine, there is a special symbolism behind Hulchi Belluni’s designs, largely based on Feng Shui. Could you explain?

“Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art of living that revolves around the five basic elements of nature. Central to this is “Chi”, a positive energy that brings peace and balance to your life. About thirty-five years ago, I came into contact with the philosophy through a friend. Since then, I have continued to study it. The idea is that when all the elements of your life are in balance, you are in harmony with yourself and your environment. In other words, when your “Chi” is right, you feel better, healthier and happier. Our jewellery radiates that positive life force. They are symbols of happiness that translate personal emotions. In fact, “Chi” guides everything we do at Hulchi Belluni. The interior of our offices, exhibition stands, the family atmosphere within our team, the enthusiastic collaboration with customers and partners: you will find that positive vibe in everything we do.

 
The term “Chi” is contained in your name. Hul refers to your own family name. But Belluni also refers to “Bella Luna”, the moon. How important is that?

“The light of the moon is something very special. It exudes a kind of mysterious romance that can touch me emotionally. I am an avid traveller to Africa. On my first trip to the continent, I stayed in a lodge during a safari. In the evening, after one of our trips, I wanted to take a shower. When I stepped outside, I was captivated by that sparkling object in the sky. That frenzied source of light right above my head, in the blackness of the night with only the silence of nature around me: it had something magical about it. That moment has always stayed with me.”

Today, Hulchi Belluni offers an enormous variety of products. How would you describe the collections yourself?

“Hulchi Belluni started out as a classic line. Nowadays, the collections consist of different styles, largely focused on sports habillé. We have jewellery for every type of woman. Small, large, soft, wild, delicate, set, you name it. Comfort is essential. The majority of our jewellery is designed to be worn every day. It is very feminine, but not ostentatious. A piece of jewellery should subtly contribute to your personality. It should be part of your identity and accentuate your character without dominating it.”

 
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?

‘My inspiration comes from the moment. The shape of a building or object can move me, for example. Or something I see in a restaurant, during a visit to a museum or while out walking. A special shoe, a key on a door in an Italian alleyway… Everything around me can be a trigger.’

 

A new catalogue is coming out. The images were shot in the Moroccan desert. Why did you choose that location?

“As I mentioned, I am a great lover of Africa. No matter which country you visit, you are always introduced to a completely different world that is so far removed from what you are used to at home. The animals, nature, smells, silence: I am attracted to the purity of Africa, which I also find in the desert. I feel happy there. A jewel also stands out much better in such a setting. The light is very special there. In a forest, for example, there are too many impressions. I want a landscape that is as pure as possible, in which the power of the jewel can be fully expressed.”

 
Buroform printed the catalogue. How did you come into contact with our printing company?

“We wanted to take a new direction with the new catalogue. We wanted it to be a little bolder and different, and Buroform was the right place for that. Until now, we had always had our lookbooks printed digitally. This time, we opted for offset printing, special paper and a number of beautiful techniques that enhance the lookbook experience. For example, because we work with a lot of spread photos, we chose OTAbind as the binding method. This ensures that the book always opens nicely. The logo on the cover is embossed, which gives it a very nice tactile feel. We also opted for a special paper that shows off the jewellery to its best advantage. Matt papers with a grain are very popular at the moment, but they don’t work if you want to showcase jewellery. Finding the right type of paper was a bit of a quest, but you assisted us very well in this. The end result is exactly what we had in mind. The catalogue perfectly reflects what we do at Hulchi Belluni and who we are. It is the work of an entire team, both people within our own company and external talent. That is the beauty of this story.

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