About Monsieur Pamplemousse

Founded in 2002 by Chicago-born artist Alex Agudo, Monsieur Pamplemousse is a jewelry studio rooted in color, culture, memory, and design. Alex’s creative language was shaped early while living in El Empalme, Ecuador, where vibrant flora, daily rituals, and nature sparked a lifelong connection to color and texture. He was raised by his Ecuadorian father, whose love, values, and culture profoundly shaped his worldview and artistic sensibility. Though both of Alex’s biological parents are Mexican by nationality, their lineages reflect Latin America’s rich diversity: a mother of Afro-Indigenous heritage and a biological father of Filipino, Spanish, and Indigenous roots. This layered heritage informs his belief that identity is complex, personal, and beautifully multifaceted. After returning to Chicago, Alex’s work deepened through the city’s architectural legacy, blending structure and movement with global influences. A multilingual, multidisciplinary artist, he draws from architecture, dance, history, and travel. Today, Rio de Janeiro serves as his second home and creative refuge, inspiring the rhythm, warmth, and tropical boldness found throughout his work. Each piece is handcrafted in small batches using mixed metals, architectural lines, asymmetry, and vibrant gemstones sourced from around the world. No two pieces are exactly alike—created for those who connect deeply with story, artistry, and soul.Read their story