2023.12.26

Swedish Jewelry Brand 'Louis Abel' Carries Emotion & Narrative: The Founder Shares His Journey from Engineer to Designer

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Sweden has produced world-renowned fashion brands like 'ACNE STUDIOS', 'H&M', and 'Our Legacy', as well as the world's leading furniture manufacturer 'IKEA'.

Favorited by high-fashion lovers, the jewelry brand 'All Blues' is expanding globally. Now, the spotlight turns to the jewelry brand 'Louis Abel'.

The brand, established in 2019, started in a small space in an underground garage in Boras, Sweden, known as a city of the textile industry, where founder and designer Jimmy Kamhieh Loutfi crafted jewelry.

After studying mechanical engineering and gaining experience as an engineer in the automotive industry, he one day awakened to jewelry making, leading to a significant career change. For him as an engineer, precious metals were a familiar material, but he recalls: "Precious metals in jewelry carry more worth than just their function or shape, but serve as 'vessels of emotion'." This realization drove him to establish the brand.

Although the material used is the same precious metal, the sentiments infused into the jewelry are different from before. His unique pieces of jewelry, each differently created, translate the unrestricted overflow of emotions inside into organic and irregular curves and textures. His sculpturally beautiful designs have already earned high acclaim, receiving two Nordic fashion awards.

Jimmy Kamhieh Loutfi, or simply Jimmy, who started 'Louis Abel' single-handedly and dedicates himself entirely to it, self-studied jewelry design. Unraveling the brand's allure through its four-year history, which reflects the fusion of his fundamentals as an engineer and passion for creativity.

PROFILE

Jimmy Kamhieh Loutfi

Louis Abel
Founder and Designer

Engineering Background Built the Foundation for His Profession as a Designer

Could you tell us about the circumstances that led to the establishment of 'Louis Abel'?

Until I grew up, I never really explored creative fields like fashion or jewelry. As a son of a Lebanese refugee, I believe it was always expected of me to engage in academic areas such as engineering, law, and medicine to secure stability and safety in life. And I grew up wanting to answer that expectation.

My interest in the creative fields came when I received a piece of silver jewelry for the first time. I was fascinated by the potential impact of the emotional approach and storytelling that jewelry possesses. This led me to search for a new career path, combining my engineering background with my passion for creativity.

To me, jewelry is the most intimate art form that can be worn on the body. What attracted me to jewelry initially was its unique and powerful ability to arouse emotions, to tell the memories and stories embedded in the precious metals by wearing and inheriting them. In other words, it's more than just an accessory.

How has your experience as an engineer been utilized in your current work?

My background as a mechanical engineer forms the foundation of my work as a designer for 'Louis Abel'. I acquired advanced skills in design and manufacturing in the engineering field, shaping the methods of production.

Moreover, I believe my passion for craftsmanship was one of the main reasons why I chose to establish my own manufacturing facilities, rather than outsourcing. The technical knowledge that I gained in the engineering field was very important when transitioning to jewelry design.