Prinzessin von Hessen
When the brother of Princess Mafalda of Hesse, Philip of Hesse, was photographing me one day, he told me that his sister wanted their family coat of arms redesigned.
This was the starting point of an exciting project in which I was to modernise the historical coat of arms – without distorting the meaning and tradition of heraldry. The original design of the coat of arms was a generic, colourful representation with alternating strokes, which in its form seemed somewhat unclear and overloaded. My aim was to develop a modernised, yet clear and elegant version that would reflect the values and international status of the High Nobility without losing the historical symbolism.
Heraldry is a precise art in which every detail has a deeper meaning. That’s why it was particularly important to me to maintain the correct use of symbols when revising the coat of arms. I have given the coat of arms a cleaner, more contemporary form, while respecting the classical elements and symbolism that link it to the family’s history, resulting in a personalised coat of arms for Mafalda of Hesse that respects her noble origins while presenting a modern, stylish interpretation of tradition.
