Beauty with a Thought: Efva Attling

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There are those who wear jewelry simply for the bling factor, and then there are others who see their accessories as an opportunity to make a powerful statement that transcends trends. Swedish jeweler Efva Attling designs for the latter, offering bold collections that embrace the human spirit in all its splendid diversity.

Born in Stockholm, Attling made her first piece of jewelry when she was 11-years-old and by the age of 16 was a pupil of one of Sweden's greatest silversmiths, Bengt Liljedahl. A year later she was spotted by modeling agency giant Eileen Ford and thus began a 12-year career on the runway and in front of the camera. Not to be limited by her outer beauty, Attling then pursued her musical aspirations, starting a band called X Models and also designing clothes for Levi's and H&M.

But her childhood artistic sensibilities came full circle in 1996, when she once again started working with silver, gold and precious stones. Attling opened her own workshop in 1999 in central Stockholm - a springboard for what has become seven exclusive Efva Attling stores and an additional 184 retailer worldwide. She is known for incorporating expressions into her designs, calling it "beauty with thought."

"I put strong expressions on my pieces because I want to boost people with my jewelry and that's when they become conversation pieces," says Attling. "I am intrigued by all our differences and I believe what ties us all together is humor, music and love."

Love For All

Attlings's wedding collection includes some of her most stunning work and pieces that will become valuable family heirlooms. Inspired by the Latin phrase amor vincit Omnia (love conquers all), Attling believes that love is the most powerful force and if you follow your heart you will have the strength to change your life. But this strength begins with loving yourself. Rings made with traditional materials like gold and diamonds are transformed with contemporary design, and for those seeking a pop of color, other precious gemstones are featured such as onyx, morganite and aquamarine.

"All my engagement and wedding jewelry is inspired by love. It's a fantastic feeling to design jewelry for such an important time in a person's life," says Attling. "This is the moment of great hope for everlasting love and these rings stay on the same hand for a very long time. I am honored to be a designer for love."

Attling's men's collection is equally as thoughtful and offers a range of styles, from simple pieces in gold, white gold or silver to statement bands such as the Wide & Black Stars ring: a stunning 8 millimeter-wide band of white gold studded with 45 black diamonds (depending on size).

Supporting At-Risk LGBT Youth

In 2009 Attling married her longtime partner, Swedish pop star Eva Dahlgre, and has been a powerful advocate for global LGBT rights. She was inspired to design the Rainbow Freedom necklace by Emma Green Tregaro, a high jumper who painted her nails in the colors of the rainbow flag, as a protest to Russia's anti-gay laws. Tregaro was later forced by the Swedish athletes association to remove the rainbow nail polish.

Attling states, "That call inspired me to make this jewelry. You can't see the colors, but you can read them. Their names are stamped in the metal! You can wear them in support for all LGBTQ people in the world who are still being silenced, imprisoned and killed."

Thirty percent of all U.S. online sales of the necklace go to the The Hetrick-Martin Institute, which provides a safe and supportive environment for LGBT youth through initiatives that promote physical health and mental well-being, emotional resilience, academic achievement, job readiness, and artistic/cultural creativity.

In October 2014, Attling was named HMI's newest ambassador, joining a celebrity network that includes Kimora Lee Simons, Cheyenne Jackson and Crystal Chappell.

"I am so honored that Efva has joined the HMI family as an Ambassador," says Thomas Krever, Chief Executive Officer of HMI. "Efva is not only a successful model and designer; she is a visionary entrepreneur. I am grateful that she will utilize her talents and influence to spread the hopeful message that all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential."

"After getting a tour of the HMI headquarters in New York City, and seeing firsthand how much HMI does for LGBTQ youth, it instantly motivated me to give back and donate a portion of the proceeds of my Rainbow Freedom necklace," says Attling. "And when I was asked to be an HMI Ambassador, I couldn't be more proud to say 'YES!'"