«Fishkeeper”—a fastener/decorative buckle for the service belt of AIITA restaurant staff. It is both a functional and aesthetic element that neatly secures the integrated rope fastenings of the waiters’ and chefs’ service belts.
concept/
My restaurant design project draws inspiration from the image of a Karelian fishing hut. The existence of such huts was fundamentally tied to fishing. Fish were not merely food—they became a symbol of humanity’s connection to the harsh northern nature. When developing the concept for my jewelry piece, I decided to translate this imagery into an element of the staff uniform.
Sketches
The form is based on a concise fish silhouette. It is not rendered naturalistically, but is interpreted as a piece of contemporary design. The cutouts in the body reduce the visual weight of the ornament and evoke associations with fishing nets, weathering, and the aging of materials—concepts fundamental to my architectural project.
jewelry visualization
Material: polished stainless steel. While it has the appearance of silver, giving the ornament a premium look, it offers greater wear resistance and is suitable for intensive daily use in a restaurant setting.
Fishkeeper fastener/decorative buckle
Integrating jewelry into the service apron of restaurant kitchen and dining staff
Fishkeeper serves two purposes: practical and visual. On one hand, it helps structure the belt elements; on the other, it adds a unified, neat, and modern accent to the staff’s look.
Thanks to its thoughtful shape and concise design, the buckle integrates seamlessly into the work uniform, supporting the overall brand aesthetic while emphasizing attention to detail and project artistry.