Fishfelon is a sterling silver accesorries brand that originated from a transformative experience in Jaipur, India, during the 2023 RISD Global Wintersession travel course, INDIA_SENSED: Craft and Collaboration in the Digital Age. The brand’s founder, Yue Zi, collaborated with local jeweler Neelum Narang to bring designs to life, focusing on themes of life, death, and skeletal structures. Under the guidance of craftsman Roy Sajal, Yue learned the basics of silver soldering and jewelry making, spending weeks refining designs and solving challenges to translate sketches into functional pieces.

The result of this collaboration was a sterling silver spine necklace and two skeletal hand pieces featuring hinge mechanisms at the joints. This hands-on experience fostered a deep connection with the studio and Indian culture, making the course a deeply personal journey. Before departing, the founder promised to return and fulfilled that promise just four months later.

In June 2023, she returned to Jaipur to apprentice with Neelum and her studio. This time, the approach combined traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to appeal to Western markets and younger audiences. Rings were designed using Blender, with CADs printed by UCC Designs in Jaipur. After refining the 3D-printed drafts, the designs went into production through molding and casting in sterling silver. Additional handmade jewelry pieces were developed for an upcoming collection, further shaping the identity of Fishfelon as a brand and the collections grow in both technological developments as well as hand made elements

With a background in Apparel Design from RISD, Yue Zi brought a unique perspective to jewelry making, blending techniques from fashion design into the process. Many pieces were draped on the body during creation to inform their final form, allowing the jewelry to interact with gravity in dynamic ways. This approach resulted in a range of designs, from adjustable rings suited for everyday wear to elaborate costume and vanity pieces for collectors.

Fishfelon highlights the traditional craftsmanship of Jaipur’s jewelers while introducing modern designs that integrate elements of clothing and jewelry. The brand continues to manufacture in collaboration with Neelum Narang’s studio in Jaipur, with ongoing projects that bridge heritage techniques and contemporary aesthetics.

Fishfelon’s pieces continue to grow as the founder travels back to Jaipur yearly to make new collections. As of right now, the pieces range from ready-to-wear rings and necklaces to headpieces and even belts, all fully made in sterling silver, redefining and expanding the genre of fashion accessories.