TRACTION: In Conversation With Co-Founder Robert Sebastian Grynkofki

For the sophomore offering of SARAH & SEBASTIAN’s signature men’s collection, TRACTION, we explore the tension between the elemental and the engineered. Speaking to the strength and vulnerability of the modern man’s intrepid spirit, the collection draws from co-founder Robert Sebastian Grynkofki’s background in industrial design and his appreciation for automotive engineering.

To celebrate the launch of TRACTION’s evolution in 2024, we sat down with Robert to delve into a number of exciting new arrivals, a unique piece with unexpected appeal and his ongoing passion project that inspires his approach to design.

What can you tell us about the evolution of the designs since the collection launched last year?

ROBERT SEBASTIAN GRYNKOFKI: When we first launched TRACTION in 2023, it was really well received and many of the original designs have remained our signatures. This year we evolved some existing styles, embracing the idea of negative space and honing in on details like chamfered edges, which appear on signet rings and chain links.

We also introduced black rhodium-plated 18-karat gold chains to the collection, which gives the alloy a dark finish. I think it is such a cool and understated way to wear gold.

What are some new must-have pieces and how would you style them?

RSG: The Chase Signet Ring is my new staple piece. It’s a polished version of our original Traction Signet Ring and it’s a really refined classic. I wear it with my trusty Chase Ring on one hand, along with an old organic piece from our Relic collection which draws inspiration from the human anatomy.

"We introduced black rhodium-plated 18-karat gold chains to the collection, which gives the alloy a dark finish. I think it is such a cool and understated way to wear gold."

Onyx is a new feature in this collection—what can you tell us about this gemstone and its unexpected appeal?

RSG: The first signet ring I ever owned featured a flat black onyx set in silver and I was really drawn to the understated simplicity of the stone with its deep black colour.

I wanted to create a piece that really highlighted this gem and the Chase Onyx Necklace was born. It’s also the only piece in the collection with a black rhodium gold chain, which makes it even more unique. The minimalist shape of the onyx pendant was inspired by our Insignia Necklace, and Sarah [Munro] actually hand-cut the first gemstones for us to sample. She started delving into the craft a few years ago while studying gemmology and she has since become a great gemstone cutter with exceptional attention to detail.

On a personal note, we heard you’ve been busy building a custom car! Tell us about this customisation process and how automotive design and engineering continue to inspire your approach to jewellery design and production.

RSG: Haha yes, this one is a little left field for me. I managed to get my hands on one of the first Rauh Welt-Begriff 911s in Australia. It’s an old air-cooled 911 that has been modified by Akira Nakai, a Japanese tuning legend renowned for his outrageous 911 wide-body conversions. I am incredibly intrigued by his work—he cuts up these wonderful old cars free-hand (something that is usually considered highly taboo) and re-installs each body kit by hand with remarkable precision. My car, however, still needs a lot of work, and it will be a labour of love to transform it step by step over the next few years.

I have always been a huge admirer of automotive engineering and I think this naturally seeps into my design process and inspiration when it comes to jewellery. TRACTION is a reflection of my passion for machined precision and I love exploring unexpected details and the tension between form and function, grit and vulnerability.

"TRACTION is a reflection of my passion for machined precision and I love exploring unexpected details and the tension between form and function, grit and vulnerability."

Tell us about some exciting evolutions in the business over the last year and what we can expect to see in the near future.

RSG: On a personal note, I am thrilled to share that I will be a first-time dad very soon! In terms of the business, we’ve had such a big year, I’m not sure where to start! We’ve opened multiple new stores including Melbourne City, Perth and High Street Armadale. We’ve collaborated with many new creatives over the last few months including glass artisans and sculptors for our new stores, and we have lots more artist collaborations in the works over the next few months for an upcoming project.

In terms of products, we’ve started transitioning a lot of our enduring signature designs to 18-karat gold, symbolising the evolution of our offering into high calibre fine jewellery. And of course we have a new collection in the making that is already in the testing phase, which we can’t wait to share soon. Stay tuned!

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