“I make no distinction between everyday life and travel; travel is totally a part of my life. I’ve got a partially packed or unpacked bag I can always add to and be off in two seconds.” Carolyn Roumeguere, jewelry designer
Jewelery designer Carolyn Roumeguere is a tried and true gypsetter. Growing up in Africa amongst the Maasai people, a semi-nomadic society of Kenya, Carolyn was introduced to the unique set of style and balance in textiles at an early age. Both men and women of the Maasai have a deep love of jewelry and adorn themselves head to toe in colorful and unique beaded creations. At a young age, she recalls making these unique pieces with the Maasai women.
As an adult, Carolyn strayed from the Maasai lands and traveled all over the world for her art. However, she never lost sight of the inspiration and gypset style she cultivated in her youth. Carolyn hunts through India for exotic beads, jewels, and textiles to create her gypset-inspired pieces. She has a distinct character that is reflected in her gorgeous pieces, and her art is ultimately influenced by her culturally diverse past and nomadic lifestyle.
Carolyn Roumeguere loves to travel, and she is grateful for her plane that allows her to live the nomadic lifestyle she craves. She likens her plane to the camel of generations past. Roumeguere flies her plane from her hut in Maasai (or house in the secluded bush) to her office in Nairobi where her works are manufactured by a group of local people she has hired. Her European decent, African upbringing, and current global travel leave her feeling equal parts comfortable and outcast in each travel destination. However, it is the balance between belonging and wanting to explore new lands in which gyspetters find their peace.
Awesome