AF HOUSE began with the MANTIS ring. I spent six months carving wax, praying to one day become a true designer. The Mantis was conceived in my fantasies, where I imagine myself to be a girl living in the depths of the forest. Like this girl, I have magical powers to change every object of nature into beautiful jewelry. My loved one is Mantis. He became the soul of the silver ring. Our children are playing around my feet while I am in the process of shifting my own body into jewelry. My legs and shoulders gradually turn into metal
--- September 2003 --- Akiko Fucci, Designer of AF HOUSE