Medusa is a mythical figure that I haven’t typically paid much attention to…but somehow, recently, she’s worked her way into my consciousness. When I was at The Met in NYC recently, I actually found myself seeking her out: each time I spotted carved or painted snake hair, I felt like I’d spied a friend.
Not to get up on my feminist rage soapbox, but I think it’s the very nature of Medusa that is drawing me in. The idea of a mythical being whose defining characteristics are the opposite of the beauty that’s usually required for feminine power is exactly the hero that women need right now.
This new collection from Sofia Zakia is why Medusa’s been on my mind. I’ve been seeing sneak peeks of the Medusa designs on the Sofia Zakia Instagram story for a while and now that the whole collection is out, they’re even more perfect than I’d hoped.
Sofia Zakia, as you may remember, is the designer who created those creepy and glorious Halloween pieces I went crazy for last year. She’s got a gift for the delicate and figural.
Isn’t she gorgeous?
And by “gorgeous” I mean bold, strong, and striking: Sofia Zakia has done a fantastic job rendering this legendary figure without making her feel excessively Disnified. (She’s a beautiful piece of jewelry but she still looks like a powerful mythical monster, not a pretty pretty princess.)
I don’t know how Sofia Zakia got the idea for these decayed-looking, Medusa relic designs, but they really float my boat. They feel so ancient and eerie in a powerful way. These are some serious talismans.
Talk to me, friends. Is anyone else feeling the allure of Medusa recently, or is this just a weird misandrist reaction I’m having to current events? What do you think of the Sofia Zakia Medusa pieces?
Images c/o Sofia Zakia.
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Such pretty little thing! I love it and it’s something you can wear any day no matter the occasion.
I completely agree! Such a great everyday luxury.
It is indeed! A gorgeous everyday luxury.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
xoxo,
Becky
i think medusa is very, very relevant at this moment in time…
I couldn’t agree more. She’s the hero we need!
Yes, yes, yes! I love this design – I’m waiting for delivery of the Medusa ring as we speak!! Can’t wait to meet her!!
~Bohemian Magpie~
Oooh yay!! The rings in this collection are so good.
Snakes represent many things, but in Medusa’s case I prefer to interpret them as representing knowledge.
And a woman’s gaze has often terrified a man.
There’s a connection between her and diamonds too, if you look for it.
Ooh I didn’t know that! I’ll have to take another look at the story.
Loving the reclamation of a much-maligned mythological figure! (And, forgive me, but Andromeda was always such a wet blanket–and her mother, Cassiopeia, was a self-centered piece of work.) Medusa’s only crime, it seems to me, was being in the wrong place at the wrong time–with the wrong god (gee, thanks a lot, Poseidon). I get it–Athena had her own temple, dedicated to reason and the pursuit of excellence in all matters great and small, and she didn’t need it desecrated by a randy sea god and his tootsie-wootsie. This isn’t to say that that was the only thing Medusa was before her, shall we say, drastic transformation. I admire Athena too, but that was taking things a tad too far. Tsk, tsk.
I too have been drawn more and more to heroic and/or unfairly maligned female figures. The first to come to mind: Maid Marian. Which leads us straight to…Sherwood Forest? Yes, yes, it does. I watched the new Robin Hood film. Talk about giving your female lead the short end of the stick! It says something when both the 1912 silent version and the 1938 colorized talkie version seem more progressive and more modern than anything made this year.
Aaaaand that’s the end of my speech.
these ARE beautiful- and wondrous and awe-ing all at once. did she make molds from antique cameos? it’s unusual to see modern designers be so faithful to antique designs.
I think she was definitely inspired by antique aesthetics, but I’ve seen the wax molds on her Instagram story and they’re all hand carved! Just really beautifully done.
this makes her work extra special then! thank you for replying.
I’m so glad!! And it’s my pleasure.
xoxo,
Becky
Yes, I really like these. Probably about five years ago, I started really noticing vintage and antique Medusa jewelry. I like her strength, and it makes me think about different concepts of beauty. I think that in a lot of these older pieces, she really “rocks the look.” Anyway, she got a really bad deal in her origin story.
Back in college in the 1970’s, I wanted to dress up as Medusa for a Halloween party. I had an idea to buy rubber snakes and pin or clip them in my hair. My friends, male and female, were horrified. Isn’t that interesting? Ultimately, the snakes were too expensive for my starving student budget, so I got some poster board and went as a fire breathing dragon, instead. They thought that was strange, too. Sigh. I think. my costume choices say as much about me as my friends.
Anyway, I love your blog and appreciate seeing all the beautiful jewelry that you post. Sorry this is so long, but I’ve been meaning to write and thank you for a while now.
Thank you so much, Diana! This is a lovely, thoughtful comment and I think it’s exactly the right length. I love that you’re also drawn to Medusa’s strength: both in general and with these pieces specifically.
I also think that your Medusa Halloween costume sounds incredible and I hope it’ll get a second shot.
xoxo,
Becky