Jewelry designer fuses cultures
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Dumenil is particularly fond of Chinese jade.
"Jade is one of the most important materials I get from China - it's beautiful, shining, comes in different colors and also represents the traditions of the country," she says.
Color represents different personalities and jade comes in many colors, she notes.
"Chinese people love jade of shining green and Europeans prefer brown and dark colors," Dumenil observes, adding that most Westerners don't know much about jade and don't see much high-quality jade.
"I myself have difficulty distinguishing the quality of jade," admits Dumenil, who asks a knowledgeable friend to help her find excellent jade pieces for her work. She is a regular customer at jade markets, such as Yuyuan Garden.
Dumenil lives in the former French concession with her 13-year-old daughter who is studying in Shanghai. Another daughter is in France.
Life is peaceful. She enjoys walking in her neighborhood, riding her bicycle around or just hanging out.
"I prefer places with small houses and big phoenix trees to those with tall buildings," she says. "I really enjoy walking around to get inspirations for my creations."
Dumenil says her neighbors are very friendly but since her Chinese is limited, they don't communicate much.
Her brand, "Yol," is the Turkish word for road, route or path. Some works are custom-made, mostly for friends who want jewelry for a special event, such as an engagement.
"When people come to buy jewelry, I make sure it really suits them or that they really like it," Dumenil says.
Some Chinese are also interested in her design.
"Young Chinese people with better taste are not satisfied with the old style of jewelry which is made of gold and jade. They need more fashionable elements which can represent their own personality," says Dumenil.
Prices start at around 800 yuan (US$120) and range up to around 16,000 yuan. She generally spends a week on a piece of jewelry but some pieces are the result of a couple of years of experimentation.
Every week she holds design classes in her studio.
"I am happy to teach and glad to have more communication with local people," says the designer.
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