FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Designer Katie Ladewig Unveils Self-Defense Jewelry Inspired by Women’s Survival Stories

Senior Design Student Katie Ladewig introduces a powerful new collection of self-defense rings that fuse elegance with protection. Titled The UN/DESIRABLE collection, the series explores the intersection of beauty, strength, and survival, inspired by real stories of women who have endured and overcome violence.

“As women, we’re taught to be constantly vigilant—carry pepper spray, avoid the dark, change our behavior just to feel safe, ” Ladewig explains. “I wanted to create pieces that shift that responsibility. Jewelry you want to wear—and that just so happens to protect you.”

The rings, crafted from 99.9 fine silver, combine softness and brilliance while referencing vulnerability and resilience. Set with diamonds—the hardest natural material—and garnets symbolizing blood, the collection reflects a deliberate dichotomy: feminine sparkle meets utilitarian strength. Each piece embodies a narrative, making the wearer both adorned and armed.

Ladewig faced a major constraint: deciding to shift her capstone project 12 weeks into the semester, leaving her with only a quarter of the time her peers had. This urgency fueled a bold design process marked by material experimentation, form exploration, and symbolic layering.

The collection challenges the boundaries of fashion, functionality, and feminist expression. It asks: what if the jewelry you wear isn’t just beautiful—but makes you feel safer, too?