Derek Nobbs produces exclusive ring for Rust & Regret

What happens when an internationally renowned artist meets an up-and-coming Australian based accessories brand? They combine forces to produce one-of-a-kind nautical treasures where fashion meets art. North met south this season when Melbourne-based jewelers Rust & Regret teamed up with Pacific Northwest painter Derek Nobbs. The result of this unique collaboration is the limited edition solid silver signet ring, titled Ahoy.

Inspired by the perils and mysteries of the ocean, the collaboration’s residing nautical theme is evident in the ring’s pitchfork anchors, rockabilly pirate skulls and lasso rope detailing. With only 40 available worldwide, each beautiful ring comes nestled in a hand-painted box with an authenticity card signed by Derek Nobbs, as well as a sailor scarf also designed by the artist.

Rust & Regret, the brainchild of brothers Nick and Simon O’Keefe, was born in late 2011 as a solution to the lack of original men’s accessories on offer. Their website hosts intricate gender-neutral necklaces, bracelets, rings and belts. This latest collaboration with Derek Nobbs came from a mutual admiration of each other’s work. “I’d been a long‐time fan of Derek because I find his work incredibly detailed and intriguing. One piece in particular called ‘Sea Bound for Death’ caught my eye and I thought it would look great as a ring, so I bit the bullet and got in touch,” O’Keefe explains.

Thankfully, the fact that Rust & Regret are based hundreds of miles away didn’t deter Nobbs from the partnership: “I guess you could say we see eye to eye even though we’ve never met or spoken. A collaboration done entirely over email without ever seeing or speaking to the other person sounds like it should be quite difficult, and it’s definitely had its challenges, but on the whole it’s been a fairly organic process.” It’s almost a perfect match – Rust & Regret regularly feature skulls and weaponry in their signature pieces, whilst Nobbs weaves intricate tales of life and death in his unmistakably unique artwork. “We’ve been lucky in that our style, tastes and ideas on the designs have been well‐aligned.”

The Ahoy signet ring retails at AUD$350 and is available at Rust & Regret here.

For more information on Derek Nobbs please visit here.

Elizabeth Connor