AGMES

'THIS IS NICE’ SPEAKS WITH MORGAN LANG, DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF AGMES, ABOUT HER NYC BASED BRAND AND THEIR COLLABORATION WITH AUSTRALIAN BRAND ST.AGNI

**‘This is nice’:** I discovered your brand, **AGMES**, on Instagram a few years ago. Besides being drawn to your beautiful designs I was also very excited about almost all of your pieces being created using recycled metals. Can you give a bit of background on the brand and what led you to produce in such a thoughtful way?

**MORGAN: AGMES** is a NYC based brand, launched after the encouragement of my late friend, Andrew. His initials combine with mine to form the name **AGMES**. A compassionate soul and great friend, Andrew was determined to leave the world better than he found it. His legacy endures in our commitments to kindness and equal treatment for all, sustainable practices, and creating pieces that can be handed down to the next generation.

Sustainability has always been very important to me, and I feel now more than ever it’s crucial to keep our environmental footprint as small as possible. There is so much waste in this industry, and it’s our responsibility to make sure we’re not adding to the problem. When I first started **AGMES**, I made the conscious decision to create our pieces in precious metals, and focus our designs on classic but modern styles to ensure they will last a lifetime both physically and aesthetically. I didn’t want to create more seasonal, trend-driven pieces that get thrown out or tired after only a few months, and wanted to focus instead on pieces that could become modern heirlooms, passed down for generations to come.

‘Tin’: What were you doing before you launched AGMES?

ML: Jewelry has always been such a passion of mine. For a long time, I would think up different pieces, and create them in my mind, or take classes on weekends and evenings to make pieces for myself. It wasn’t a career path I initially intended to take, I actually studied business in school, and went on to work in buying. One night I had gone out with an old friend of mine, Andrew, who knew about my love of jewelry design, and asked me why I wasn’t pursuing this dream. He encouraged me to believe in myself and take the leap of faith. I went back to school to study jewelry design, and started working on a {jeweler’s} bench to practice the craft. He soon after passed away, but has continued to be my driving force and inspiration.

‘TIN’: What influences your designs the most?

ML: I’m constantly being inspired by the world around me, especially the natural world. The complexity, simplicity, and life all around us — it never ceases to amaze me by what nature has to teach us.

And as a jewelry collector before becoming a designer, comfort and fit were always something I noticed in my own collection. Since starting AGMES, It’s been important to me to design pieces that are both beautiful and wearable. I am very conscious about the weight and comfort of pieces—I don’t want our earrings to feel too heavy, nor pendants too flimsy, and our rings are designed to fit comfortably between the fingers, even for larger knuckles.

FAST FAVOURITES

‘TIN’: Place?

ML: Troutbeck. It’s a 250+ acre property in the Hudson Valley with a rich history, beautiful grounds, and an incredible culinary program — it also happens to be where I got married, and has become my local home away from home.

‘TIN’: Song?

ML: Sam Cooke’s Nothing Can Change This Love

‘TIN’: Person?

ML: Can they have 4 legs? My black lab pup, Rafi… or my husband Josh. He’s my biggest supporter, my best friend, and my rock.

‘TIN’: Designer?

ML: Simone Bodmer Turner. Her sculptural forms and passion to continue challenging herself with new materials and forms is ever inspiring.

‘TIN’: Restaurant?

ML: In NYC, Gem is a favorite of mine for their creative seasonal menu using all fresh local produce, although I was so impressed with Sydney’s food scene! Some of my favorite Sydney spots from my recent trip include Margaret, Hubert’s, and Mr. Wong.

‘TIN’: Colour?

ML: Yellow — it always brings me joy

‘TIN’: Season?

ML: Spring or Summer. I’m happiest when I’m in the sun.

‘TIN’: Drink?

ML: Water — I’m big on hydration.

‘TIN’: Way to celebrate?

ML: Surrounded by loved ones, no matter where or how.

‘TIN’: Quote?

ML: “With a quiet mind and an open heart, anything is possible.”

‘Tin’: Your designs would really suit anyone but I think they especially suit Australian style. Is there a specific person or muse that you design with in mind?

ML: I design for people who are drawn to unique, but classic pieces. They have an understated sophistication, yet there is something distinctive that sets them apart. They appreciate purposeful design and care about quality, but are also environmentally conscious.

**‘tin’**: I love that your pieces are both statements and timeless. Do you have pieces you wear everyday? If so, which ones?

**ML:** Thank you! I’m currently wearing the Leona Cuff and Large Astrid Cuff stacked— and usually a daily rotation of one of our collar necklaces, such as the Dion Necklace, Tilda Necklace, or Conie Necklace.

‘Tin’: We were very excited to see you work with Australian brand, St.Agni, on 4 metal bra tops for their Resort 24 runway show. How did this collaboration materialize?

ML: The collaboration with St. Agni was such a dream! We’ve had a long-distance relationship with St. Agni for the past few years through the pandemic. They stock our jewelry in their stores and have organically incorporated it into many of their shoots and shows over the years. Lara had reached out about a potential collaboration for their upcoming show, and when I heard the idea I was thrilled! I've long admired St. Agni's aesthetic and approach to design, and it's been incredibly exciting to combine it with AGMES's sculptural forms and jewelry expertise. Even though we’re many miles apart, we both have so much trust, admiration, and respect for each other, that it made the process of creating an entirely new category pretty smooth from start to finish.

‘Tin’: Finally, what is next for AGMES?

ML: I’ve been working on some exciting new projects I can’t say much about yet, and my most deeply meaningful collection to date — which will be coming out shortly.