Historical Context: A Design Revolution: Gerard Taylor, ACME & the Memphis Movement
This brooch comes from a pivotal moment in design history. In the early 1980s, the Memphis Group shook the foundations of modernism with an explosion of color, geometry, and joyful rebellion. Their irreverent, rule-breaking aesthetic was a reaction to the stark minimalism of the previous decades - and it changed everything. Around the same time, ACME Studios - founded by Adrian Olabuenaga in California - emerged as a platform to bring this avant-garde spirit into wearable, functional art. Collaborating with renowned creatives, ACME translated radical ideas into jewelry that made design history accessible. Gerard Taylor was among the visionary designers who brought the Memphis spirit to life in miniature form. His brooches for ACME, like this one, reflect that electrifying energy: colorful, geometric, unapologetically bold. Owning one isn’t just about fashion - it’s about holding a piece of postmodern rebellion in your hand.
A few important drops…
These brooches were all hand-made in the 1980s using the intricate cloisonné process. Any minor imperfections within the colors are to be expected and are inherent to this demanding artisanal process, which makes each piece genuinely unique and special.
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