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They say blood is thicker than water, but in the case of Toronto-based jewelry line Cement, it’s also heavier than gravel. Founder and designer Russell Gozlan comes from a family four generations deep in the jewelry industry, so every necklace is carefully crafted from conception to completion at the Gozlan family factory.

“I have the luxury of being hands on with the manufacturing process, which is really important to me,” Russell says. “Creating a new necklace is an exciting process and usually takes around one week from start to finish.  Once I have an idea of what piece I want to create, a mold is made over a few days which then goes into production.  Everything is made in Canada and either with sterling silver or gold.”

Cement started off, of all things, as a blog project, and it somehow evolved into a men’s jewelry line with a simple credo: “Simple shit to wear around your neck.” But then (as it usually happens when creative people choose to follow their dreams), things took off. Even though Cement is still in its nascent years, they have a dedicated following and a strong presence in the hipster blogosphere. Russell also recently hooked up with Pedro Winters, the man behind the Parisian house music label Ed Banger Records, to make some sick custom pieces for the COOL CATS Crew.

“Music is a huge part of my life, and definitely fuels my creative juices,” Russell asserts. “Right now I am listening to Phoenix, Harlem Shakes, Passion Pit and a cool band out of Toronto that my brother Rory manages called The Flyboys.”

Cement’s remarkable, tribal-influenced Summer Collection is now available via the brand’s website (www.thisiscement.com). Up next, they have collaborations with NYC scenester superstars DEE + RICKY, and a capsule expansion into t-shirts and varsity jackets.

So all you stylish dudes out there, don’t sleep on Cement – this jewelry line is the truth.

By Geo Hagan,
Photos By: The General Firm (Daniel Kroft)

 

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