Interview with Angela Lago and The Islander

We spoke with Angela Lago, artist and jewelry designer and maker based in Madrid, with a view to the Mediterranean and roots in the Atlantic. Her work is born from a deep connection with the sea — in both body and soul. In each piece, there’s more than metal: there’s memory, energy, a way of living and seeing the world. Her artwork is for those who seek meaning beyond trends. She talks with us about her process, her slow way of creating, and the power of intimacy in a time that seems to be heading in the opposite direction.

Your jewelry has a strong identity, seeming to speak its own language. How did this personal relationship with the sea and your creations begin?
It began before I was even aware of it. I was born on the Galician coast, on the day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, into a family that lived and loved the sea. This marked me. Even now, from Madrid, the sea remains my axis. For years I felt a deep longing, as if I’d drifted away from my element — until I found a way to channel all of that into creating. My pieces are a physical translation of a sensory memory, of an almost mystical bond with the sea.

You’ve said you create pieces “to remember.” What exactly do you mean?
I don’t design thinking about what people will like — I create from what I feel. That’s how they’re born: intimate, with its own soul. I make each jewel one by one, slowly, like small amulets that melt into the skin. People who love the sea — or what it represents — can feel it right away. Many write to me when they receive them, saying they feel something truly powerful and special. They become part of their identity.

What materials do you work with?
My jewelry is mainly crafted in 18k gold — especially for meaningful or custom pieces — and sterling silver. I also work with metals like bronze, each carrying its own energy. I love combining the delicate with the raw — just like the sea itself. The true luxury lies in how each piece is made: solely by me, making every jewel inherently rare and non-mass-produced. For me, creating is almost a mystical trance.

Among all your collections, is there one that feels especially yours?
The most recognized and recognizable is Ropes & Lines, but truly, all the collections are part of the same universe. I love wearing them mixed.

Who are the people drawn to your pieces?
People who value authenticity. Who don’t follow trends but seek something soulful — something that resonates. Some are linked to the nautical world, others are artists, collectors, or simply people who are drawn to handmade work, made by someone with a face and a story. Men and women alike. People with sensitivity and their own sense of style.

You’ve stepped away from social media. Why?
I have accounts, but I barely use them. They disconnect me from myself. And I need to create from a free place, not one shaped by algorithms. The day I stopped thinking in terms of “content” and returned fully to “work” was a liberation. Now I share my pieces in person, through small gatherings, exhibitions, or via my website and newsletter. Writing every week has become a direct, human way of being present. I truly enjoy it.

What inspires you?
I grew up by the sea — sailing in light boats, watching Cousteau, listening to stories that were always somehow tied to the ocean.
Books, too. Always books.
Bernard Moitessier, for example — he didn’t just sail, he lived in tune with the sea, like it was part of his own body.
Or Joshua Slocum, that lone pioneer who turned the impossible into a real journey.
And then there’s Corto Maltese, that sailor made of ink who always chose the horizon over the destination.
They’re all there, floating in what I do.

You’re also working on sculpture?
Yes. For me, jewelry is sculpture for the body — so moving toward larger formats feels natural. The language doesn’t change, just the scale. It’s still about the sea, freedom, intimacy, and what we carry inside.

Your pieces seem to speak beyond design.
That’s the hope. They speak of the sea, of life, of our deep, quiet connection. Freedom, too. A piece of jewelry can be a mirror, a compass, or a quiet way of saying who we are.

More Wearable Nautical Art: angelalagoseajewelry.com
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