Camille-Anais Semprez

Camille-Anais Semprez studies film theory at La Sorbonne in Paris but is taking a semester off to spend time in Dallas and launch her new jewelry line. She has danced with the Moscow ballet, been part of a short film in Marrakech, modeled in New York, studied classical ballet for twelve years, participated in the Contemporary Art Biennale in Prague and studied Mandarin Chinese for six years…and she was just born two decades ago!

Interview by Jessica Olsson.
Photography by Branton Ellerbee

JO: First question that I think comes to everyone’s mind is: What’s your tie to Dallas?

CAS: My first encounter with Dallas goes back to 1995. Actually my family moved here from New Mexico to put me in the French school, while still being within driving distance of our beloved Taos. Over the years, despite all the moving around , my parents have kept a main residence in the uptown area. I’m here for a few months, taking time off from school to launch my jewelry line.

JO: How did you get in to designing jewelry with your film/music/art background? Do you draw any inspiration from your upbringing?

CAS: I had an unusual upbringing, a nomadic childhood along with two creative parents. I think they always encouraged me to create, imagine and be resourceful.
The pendants started in the “treasure cave”, which is my father’s studio, a little over a year ago. I found some bullet casings lying around, and I had an idea. My dad helped me make the first one, which was a bullet and a crystal (my mom was already into crystal pendants and had given me a few). From that prototype and the support and help of my parents, sprung the complete collection under the name pp+c. Not all of the pieces have specific symbolism, but I can say that the feather pendant is very much homage to my Crow Indian family who watch over me.

JO: Describe the general process and how long does it usually takes to construct a piece?

CAS: All the pieces are hand made and there are no two exactly alike. The most time consuming process is shaping the wood, in fact the smooth shape was only recently perfected. The whole process (drilling, cleaning, sanding, buffing, polishing…) and assembly takes around 4 hours a piece I would say.

JO: What are your 5 essentials for this spring/summer?

CAS: Trench coat, moccasins, floral prints, boyfriends in bowties and a ticket to Paris!

JO: Where is your favorite shopping in Dallas?

CAS: I love Grange Hall! Its Sherlock Holmes-esque charm, like a place full of dark and obscure objects is so appealing to me! There is without a doubt a European aesthetic that I love about this store.

JO: What other kind of projects do you have going on for the future?

CAS: A second collection!
Besides that, continue my studies, dabble in Djing...This is the near future, as far as the rest only time will tell.

JO: Where can we buy your jewelry?

CAS: For the moment by contacting us through our website: pp-plus-c.com Hopefully soon an in store location here in Dallas, I’m working on it .

C’est tout!