BOHEMIA COLLECTION
Meet the Bohemia Collection – a Swedish jewelry brand inspired by nature. We spoke with Mia about her creative process and the philosophy behind Bohemia.
Mia Svensson is a Malmö-based designer who founded Bohemia Collection in 2006. Bohemia Collection is a tribute to the beauty of nature. The jewelry features motifs such as leaves, dragonflies, and other elements found in the natural world. The dragonfly holds special significance within Bohemia, as it was the first piece Mia ever created. It also symbolizes intuition, emotional connection, and the ability to adapt to change. The dragonfly serves as a reminder to bring joy and lightness into life and is deeply rooted in the soul of nature as a spiritual symbol.
"My first piece of jewelry was the dragonfly, and that's why it has become my signature."
The materials are carefully selected to reflect the brand's philosophy. Many of the pieces are made of brass – a material that changes over time, just like we humans do. The shiny surface can eventually take on a matte patina, and it is up to the wearer to decide whether they want to preserve this natural change or polish the surface to restore its original shine. This makes each piece of jewelry unique and alive, like a reflection of the wearer's own journey through life.
Mia's creative process is deeply rooted in her travels and encounters with different people and cultures. She is constantly seeking new sources of inspiration – from unique leaves in the Amazon that are transformed into jewelry, to rare pearls and stones she has never seen before. All the stones used in Bohemia's collections are handpicked by Mia herself, making each piece of jewelry unique and filled with its own story.
"Inspiration for me is everywhere. It can be trash on the ground that has formed a certain shape, as well as a beautiful shape in nature, or a sculpture or piece of jewelry that gives me an idea. Many of my stone pieces have been created when I’ve found a raw stone, and its shape has inspired me on what to create with it."
Most of the jewelry is produced in India. Mia travels there every winter and loves how they still have such a strong tradition of craftsmanship. Just being there is inspiring, says Mia. Between visits, she designs models, makes paper molds, or creates prototypes at home in preparation for the trips. Once in India, Mia works closely with her jeweler, and despite language barriers, they collaborate to find the best solutions for the production of the jewelry.
Through her jewelry, Mia wants to create more than just decorations – she wants them to carry meaning and become a part of the wearer's life. The pieces evolve alongside the wearer and reflect their journey, while also connecting to nature’s own cycle of change and renewal.
"With my jewelry, I wish to inspire the wearer to find their inner strength, our primal power," says Mia.
Bohemia Collection is an invitation to embrace the magic of nature, our inner strength, and the uniqueness of each life story. It is a reminder that change is a part of life – both the beautiful and the unexpected – and that it is through this change that we find our true power.
Bohemia Collection has been a part of the WOS collection since the beginning and has been a big favorite with both us and our customers. We are so excited that Mia, the creator behind the jewelry brand, is our next guest at the WOS POP-UP. Welcome to Gamla Brogatan 27 to meet Mia on November 26-27.
