Photo: Ketsiree Wongwan MWMWMW.G USES JEWELRY AS A MEDIUM OF BODY ART, WITH WORKS THAT CHALLENGE THE BOUNDARIES OF BEAUTY, COMMUNICATION, AND IDENTITY WITHOUT GENDER NORM
TEXT: SURAWIT BOONJOO
PHOTO COURTESY OF MWMWMW.G EXCEPT AS NOTED
(For Thai, press here)
“Jewelry, when worn on the body, is not merely an expression of beauty. What truly fascinates us is the interaction between the piece and the wearer, as well as with those who encounter it. It invites engagement, sparks curiosity, and provokes thought, fostering interactions that extend to the observers.”
Photo: Ketsiree Wongwan
MWMWMW.G isn’t just a jewelry brand known for designing Grillz and Tooth Gems—though those are the pieces most people recognize. It began as an Instagram account, a space to explore new ways of creating body-centric adornments, constantly evolving through experimentation and material research. The creative force behind it, Titaporn Mahawan, is a rising jewelry designer driven by a desire to redefine the meaning of adornment beyond its conventional boundaries. Her work operates within the framework of wearable sculpture, rejecting traditional gender norms—a concept embedded in the brand’s name: M(an), W(omen), and G(rillz). But here, Grillz is more than just dental jewelry. It represents the broader potential of metal as a second skin, a transformative medium that can be applied across the body.
Photo: Ketsiree Wongwan
Titaporn traces the origins of her jewelry practice back to the pandemic. After graduating from the Faculty of Decorative Arts at Silpakorn University, she had initially stepped away from body adornment altogether. But when COVID-19 disrupted everything, it unexpectedly gave her the space to return to the craft. It was a crisis that, for her, also became an opportunity—one that allowed her to revisit, refine, and expand her knowledge of jewelry design. Her passion has always been rooted in the idea that jewelry should do more than decorate—it should provoke thought, question norms, and create meaning through wear. This curiosity led her to explore the world of Grillz, which was just beginning to gain momentum at the time. By June 2021, she had launched her first designs on Instagram, marking the start of a creative journey.
“I started out by teaching myself. During my studies and even while on exchange programs, there were no courses or classes that covered this type of jewelry-making. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 lockdown, when I had nothing else to do, that I slowly began experimenting and refining my technique. I suppose I had a slight advantage in that I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands, but even so, no one really teaches you how to make Grillz. The process is often kept secret, with each maker developing their own techniques. So, I just kept practicing and repeating the process over and over. That said, my approach to this craft has never been about continuing the traditional associations of Grillz with wealth and status in Hip-Hop culture. Instead, I always try to create new meanings and embed a strong concept or message into each piece. My early works, for example, leaned toward artistic commentary. One of my first pieces was a Buddha-shaped dental accessory, inspired by the Thai saying ‘Om Phra Ma Pood Gor Mai Cheua’ (roughly translating to ‘Even if you swear with the Buddha in your mouth, I still won’t believe you’). The moment someone wears it, the phrase takes on a literal, almost ironic, effect. I love that it sparks multiple interpretations.”
Although she started with Grillz, Titaporn Mahawan never sought to simply extend or reiterate the conventional values and meanings tied to them. Instead, her design approach pushes the boundaries of metalwork as an adornment that can be worn anywhere on the body. One of her earliest works, Haunted Shoes, reimagines the placement of Grillz by embedding 18K gold dental pieces along the white-trimmed sole of a black leather shoe. This piece exemplifies her commitment to pushing boundaries and reinterpreting familiar objects in new contexts—relocating them to different parts of the body. Her work also delves into the cultural significance of adornment within a Thai context. A notable example is the previously mentioned, Om-Pra-Mah-Pood, which reimagines the use of Grillz through Thai linguistic and symbolic expression. At the same time, her practice embraces bespoke craftsmanship, inviting creative playfulness for individual clients, brands, and commissioned projects—each resulting in a distinctive and compelling identity.
When asked about collaborations with organizations that have allowed her to explore, deconstruct, and reimagine her creative process—integrating her designs with existing elements to create a more layered, dynamic dialogue—Titaporn explains: “For my collaboration with Harper’s Bazaar Thailand, which is set to launch soon, I designed a custom Grillz piece for the model to wear, interpreting a Futuristic concept while considering the overall styling, including clothing, makeup, and accessories. This particular piece features a sleek, graphic illusion of flowing lines, adding a refined yet striking element that enhances the entire look and interacts seamlessly with the visual composition of the shoot. This approach is similar to my previous work for LIPS magazine, where I created sculpted brass finger pieces for a fashion editorial featuring LOEWE. The goal was to complement the brand’s sophisticated yet playful aesthetic, adding a subtle artistic touch while maintaining an understated elegance.”
Beyond her conceptual work, this rising young female designer has also had the opportunity to collaborate internationally. One of her most notable projects was designing a pair of futuristic earrings for LISA, one of the members of K-Pop girl group, Blackpink. It was worn during her performance at Coachella 2023. It’s no coincidence that Titaporn’s work frequently finds its way to high-profile clients, artists, and global brands—her meticulous approach to both concept and execution ensures that every piece she creates is thoughtful, refined, and seamlessly integrated into the broader creative vision. She is deeply involved in every step of the process, from conceptual development to hands-on craftsmanship and quality control. Titaporn carefully selects materials that are both innovative and safe for wear. Although she admits that time constraints have prevented her from pursuing many ideas she’d love to explore, Titaporn remains committed to expanding her skills and pushing the boundaries of jewelry design. She actively seeks out new materials, such as silver clay, and has even taken classes in glassblowing to incorporate new techniques into her work. This continuous pursuit of knowledge underscores her openness, adaptability, and refusal to be confined by traditional definitions of body adornment—qualities that drive her ever-evolving approach to wearable sculptures.