TASAKI is debuting a new brand, MELANIE GEORGACOPOULOS TASAKI. Melanie is a young female designer based in London. TASAKI signed an exclusive design and manufacturing contract with her in October 2012. Her love of pearls has led to her signature "SLICED" series. By cutting pearls in half and polishing the cross section, she expresses the mysterious inner nature hidden within pearls. Her designs are characterized by new ideas that overturn preconceived notions of pearls, such as multi-way necklaces with architectural forms and couture-style necklaces in which pearls are strung together like fabric. Melanie explains, "Pearls are a symbol of opposing things: youthful innocence and accumulated wisdom, delicacy and durability, life and death." Born to Greek and French parents, Melanie studied sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art in the UK, graduating with honors in 2004. In 2007, she earned a master's degree in jewelry from the Royal College of Art in London. She then worked as a freelance jewelry designer, and launched her own brand in 2010.