The leaf is star of UNOde50's new jewellery line this autumn

Now news came that Spanish jewellery brand UNOde50 is set to launch its new capsule collection based on nature come September, just when the weather is turning autumnal.  

My Nature from UNOde50

The collection named My Nature uses the leaf as its main focus, as it symbolises energy.  

 UNOde50 jewellery is crafted from hypoallergenic materials.

My Nature necklaces.

Photos by Lucia Carpio.

The new range includes enveloping rings and inspirational earrings, as well as bracelets and necklaces in their unique bold, hand-crafted designs.

UNOde50 shop at 

143 Regent Street, London.

Photo by Lucia Carpio.

UNOde50 was founded in the late 1990s by José Azulay.  The brand limited their first hand-made jewellery collections to an exclusive 50 units per design.

UNOde50 began its international adventure in 2008 and now owns flagship stores in cities all over the world including Tokyo, Barcelona and London. A successful partnership with Swarovski gave UNOde50 a unique cut to their crystal pieces, known as the X-cut.

UK fine jewellery industry to reach £3.3billion in 2018

In the UK, the retail value of the fine jewellery industry rose for the fourth successive year to a high of £3.2billion in 2017, according to research from Euromonitor International and is predicted to rise again in 2018 to reach GBP £3.3 billion.

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” and British women’s favourite choice of gem to wear, according to research published today by leading UK online jewellers Gemporia (www.gemporia.com).

All categories of fine jewellery; rings, neckwear, wristwear and earrings have grown, with necklaces showing the largest (10%) uplift over the 2014 – 2018 period. Overall, rings are still the biggest category of fine jewellery sales in the UK worth £1.39bn in 2017, predicted to rise further to £1.435bn by the end of 2018, while watches saw the slowest growth with 2% retail value increase in 2017.

Karolina Zlotkovska, beauty and fashion analyst at Euromonitor International comments, “The decline in the British pound sterling, following the Brexit vote in 2016, was beneficial for fine jewellery retailers in the immediate aftermath. With a cheaper currency and plenty of stock, jewellery could be sold with a preserved margin to foreign customers happy to seize the opportunity.”

The Euromonitor research has been released to coincide with the International Jewellery London trade event, current held at Olympia, Kensington, (2-4 September 2018).

Jewellery for dramatic effects from BaroQco at Paris Fashion Week

Forget minimalism and austerity if you want to take the cue from jewellery designers Imelda and Eduardo whose label BaroQco is best associated with the notion that to be unique you have to be different.

Presenting their Haute Couture jewellery creations this month at Paris Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2018-19, the designers celebrate their Dutch, Chinese Indonesian and Portuguese roots and embrace diversity as the foundation to their inspiration and creation.

The name of their label, BaroQco comes hails from the Baroque era when European cultural movement takes the turn from simplicity to lively and exuberant detailing.

According to the designers, BaroQco has a unique grandeur with an ability to surprise while achieving a sense of awe. Imelda and Eduardo started to create jewellery as they were looking for a tiara or crown for their wedding day and the search led them to creating their own and from there they expanded the range to include necklaces, cuffs and bracelets, and earrings.

Master painters like Vincent van Gogh and Pierre-Auguste Renoir inspire the designing couple.

« AS WE EMBRACE THE IMPRESSIONISM, WE STRIVE NOT ONLY FOR THE OUTER BUT ESPECIALLY FOR THE INNER-BEAUTY. IN OUR CREATIONS WE WANT TO PUSH BOUNDARIES OF ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES. AND THEREFORE THE BAROQCO IS A BOOK WITHOUT AN END. »

The stones used include opal and Swarovski crystals, and all the metalwork and gold are nickel free, the usage of non toxic plating to makes the jewellery more ecofriendly.

Anabela Chan's jewellery are objects of desire

London-based Anabela Chan may not be a household name yet, but her deliciously sumptuous and enchanting and exquisitely hand-made jewellery are  already counted among red-carpet favourites for A-list celebrities, the likes of Lady Gaga, Rita Ora and FKA Twigs.

Using a gamut of precious and semi-precious stones as well as sustainable and ethical laboratory-grown gemstones, Anabela's main focus are in the intricate workmanship that bring out best of the myriad of colours.

Anabela's designs are bold with a sense of drama but many are like miniature sculptures, or pieces of artwork.

Dancing butterflies fluttering around blossoms with a dangling tear-drop diamond for a pair of romantic earrings, or a magical setting of a butterfly resting on a bouquet of orchards for a ring.

Diamonds may appear as clusters of stars or floating in space in her Constellation range, while in the Couture Jewellery collection, Anabela takes you on a mythical journey into a paradise garden borrowing features from nature: fern leaves, butterflies and beetles for a necklace, ear-cuffs, brooch and bracelet.

Originally trained as an architect, Anabela's flagship boutique in London is situated just a stone's throw from the buzzling Piccadilly Circus, but quietly tucked in the discrete courtyard of Ham Yard Village on Denman Place on the doorstep of Ham Yard Hotel.

Designed like a curiosity shop decorated with glass jars to showcase the jewellery, adorned with objets d'art and taxidermy specimens, the shop is uniquely enchanting for the discerning lady in search of something magical.

Anabela was born into 3 generations of film directors and cinematographers, having grown up in London and Paris, and trained at the world-renowned Royal College of Art and Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

According to her CV,  Anabela had worked with iconic architect Lord Richard Rogers and Fashion Designer Alexander McQueen in London for 7 years before returning to jewellery to launch her eponymous label in 2013 and opening her London boutique in November 2014.

While happy to accept commission work, one of Anabela's recent special projects are couture hand-embroidered one-of-a-kind cushions produced in collaboration with her friend Mane Virdee.  Note the glittering list of materials used for this collaboration:- crystal and glass beads, metallic gold and silver embroidery threads, hand dyed cotton and silk threads, velvet as shown on the kaleidoscope-like pattern formed on the cushion in the picture above with the help of Emily Gore who works for Anabela Chan.

To date, Anabela has won many international design awards:-
British Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Awards in Fine Jewellery, Platinum Jewellery 2012, 2013
Gemmological Association of Great Britain Award 2012
Studio William Cutlery Design Gold Award 2012
Sponsored by Swarovski 2012, 2013
ITS Finalist 2012, 2013
Vogue VFDE New Talent Award 2014

Anabela Chan is London's best kept secret no more.

All photos © Lucia Carpio 2017 

THOMAS SABO launches Royalty Range From Autumn/Winter 2017

Glorious ornamentation, graphic modern details and plays of colour in royal blue, purple and dark green are the essence of THOMAS SABO's new Royalty range from the 2017 Autumn/Winter Jewellery Collection.

"In the Royalty range, we have interpreted the stylistics of the Victorian era in a modern manner. The elaborate ornamentation makes each item of jewellery an elegant fashion statement," says THOMAS SABO Creative Director Susanne Kölbli about the inspiration.

The richly detailed cross pendant and choker, as well as the feminine rings, earrings and bracelets of the range are made of 925 Sterling silver, some with 18k rose gold plating, and were forged by hand in a vintage line structure.

Each item of jewellery is finished with high-quality stone embellishments.

THOMAS SABO's Royalty range (previewed on video) will be available from 1 July 2017 in all of their shops and shop-in-shops, and through selected partners as well as on their website.

THOMAS SABO  established in 1984 by Thomas Sabo in Lauf an der Pegnitz, Germany, operates around 300 of its own shops across all five continents with a total of around 1,860 employees. THOMAS SABO also collaborates globally with approximately 2,800 trade partners.

Thomas Sabo launches SS2017 collection featuring Ambassador Frankie Bridge

English singer-songwriter Frankie Bridge, a member of the girl group The Saturdays, is UK and Ireland ambassador of global premium jewellery and lifestyle brand THOMAS SABO, and is seen in their latest campaign for promoting the brand's Spring/Summer 2017 collection featuring two distinct looks; which continue to be inspired by the universal ‘Together’ message that has become a hallmark of the THOMAS SABO brand.

The new images display an eye-catching and fashion-forward selection of the new Spring Summer 2017 range, which includes elements of the new Africa collection.

Frankie Bridge comments:
“Summer is nearly here, so I need to update my jewellery wardrobe! I love when the sun is shining and the new collection really brings across the feeling of summer. I look forward to wearing it whether I’m on the beach or dining out..!”

All jewellery is available to buy in store and online now at the Thomas Sabo website.

Bold statement jewellery are artistic sculptures too.

Anna Maria Pitt's jewellery - from the Artic Poppies and Armorous collections -
are to be worn or admired as sculptural works of art.
 Pictured here at the Scoop International trade show held at the Saatchi Gallery, London, 12 - 14 February 2017.
© Lucia Carpio 2017

Architectural, geometrical,  and sculptural are just some of the descriptions that come to mind upon seeing the creations of Anna Maria Pitt.

Originally from Reykjavik, Iceland, now living in London, UK, Anna Maria said her fascination with nature and its bearings is the primary source of her artistic inspiration.  

Having studied silversmithing and jewellery design at Bucks New University where she graduated with a BA Hons degree, Anna set up her studio where her jewellery-creations are made by hand.

Her designs - be they a necklace, a ring, a pendant or a bracelet - make bold statements, ideal for the confident woman who likes or wants to be noticed.

Her jewellery creations are works of art that can be worn for maximum visual impact.  Yet each piece is uniquely beautiful, and can be admired as a stand-alone piece like a sculpture or objet d'art.

"I make design models out of paper before moving onto metal, which is then laser-cut and after I assemble and finish off each piece by hand in my workshop," explained Anna Maria in the lead up to her recent exhibition at the Scoop International trade fair held in London earlier this month at the Saatchi Gallery.   This was followed by Anna Maria's participation in Milano Fashion Week where four of her pieces have been selected for the Artistar Jewellery Exhibition.

You can almost imagine the Icelandic landscape when observing some of her jewellery designs.  In the picture above, Anna Maria models her Arctic Poppy bracelet on her left wrist.  Depicting a flower that blooms in the harshest of conditions, the piece is assembled by cold connecting eight separate parts to create the suspension of form. This modern piece blends the soundness of structure with the lightness of natural order.  On her right hand is one of her latest ring designs - the Migration Ring made from sterling silver, and are part of her cold connected Migration Collection.  Each ring, handcrafted by the artist herself, incorporates a clean slate, a flying bird or an abstract promise thereof, creating dimensional movement in each and every piece.

The picture above shows a selection of Migration necklaces, in varying sizes, made from gold plated sterling silver, as part of Anna Maria’s Migration Collection.   Inspired by migrating bird formations sweeping the sky, each silver or gold bird is fixed onto a circular plate, creating a dimensional arial movement flowing above the surface.

The Canopy bracelet shown in the picture above was inspired by forest tree crowns.  This large piece is assembled by fixing silver leafs to a bracelet base. Available in silver and gold.

Here is the sterling silver Backbone necklace - an intricate piece part of Anna Maria’s bespoke collection.  Inspired by a wild reindeer’s vertebrae, the necklace is assembled by cold connecting twenty six separate parts, emulating the animals spinal structure – creating a interconnecting spiral which fuses form and functionality.  Imagine it framing a lady's face and adorning a simple black dress.  It certainly makes a striking vision.

All images © Lucia Carpio 2017.

Angular crystal stones and tribal colours form Swarovski's new jewellery inspiration for Autumn/Winter 2017/18

The new season hones in on the crucial human-identity-defining activities of eating, working and travelling, under the influential notion of sustainability and ethical behaviours, with tribal patterns and colours to project the new inspirations for jewellery, according to Austria's leading crystal authority, Swarovski.

Richly fanciful textiles playing up theatrical and spectral decorations as
seen at Premiere Vision Paris fair in September 2016.
To read Swarovski's trend analysis, click HERE. 

Judging from designer collections recently seen on European catwalks, and at major international trade fairs, bold decorative elements and opulent surface treatments bordering on excess are the way forward in a world dominated by technology.

Crystal jewellery with edgy gender-neutral designs forge one of the key trend influences from Swarovski.
New for Autumn-Winter 17-18 include BeCharmed Beads and angular crystals, Dark Rainbow effects, amd metal tones.

For Autumn/Winter 2017/18, the overall title is "The Nature of Us".

Click HERE to read in full.

All photos © Lucia Carpio.

Skeleton Designs - refined spookiness!

Thanks to designer labels like Alexander McQueen and mega artists such as Damian Hirst, skull and skeleton-themed designs continue to be a hot trend not just for jewellery but for home products too.

And Suck UK has this quirky bird skull for ssafe-keeping jewellery, coins, trinkets and knick-knacks. Made of plastic polyresin, this desk tidy is both functional and eye-catching. The "jaws" can be closed up to hide the valuables. The gold-tipped beak adds a touch of class to this quirky design.

Bird-themed twist is ideal for anyone who enjoys a bit of spooky style! 

Also available from Red Candy is this skeleton hand design to safely keep your valuables - a perfect gift for both male or female.

What's great is that each finger can be repositioned independently so you can manipulate the digits to suit your needs.

It comes with a handy (no pun intended) wooden dish at the bottom.

Sweetlime opens new shop in St Ives

So Sweetlime, a brand of unique and vibrant jewellery and accessories, has been lured to Cornwall and opened a new store in picturesque St. Ives.

Originally based in London, founder Elspeth Walker said her new lifestyle store, her first in the country, “reflects everything Sweetlime is about - travel, colour and a passion for adornment."

While she will continue on her globe-trotting mission to find something new, Elspeth said the Sweetlime collections will continue to evolve and grow. “We have expanded our brand and now stock homewares and gift items; together with our own collection of jewellery and bags, there will also be gifts and artwork from local artists.”

 

Shown here are some of the Sweetlime jewellery at a Best of Britannia show in London.

Having had worked in the fashion industry for many years, Elspeth set up a small studio in Highgate, London and began by assembling samples of her work and then targeted jewellery buyers at big stores as well as small boutiques.

 

All photos: Lucia Carpio

The name Sweetlime is based on a chilled drink made with fresh lime that she so often enjoyed in India (the recipe is found on her website and it is divine on a hot summer day).  “(The drink) was totally refreshing after a long flight and left a lasting impression,” Elspeth reminisced about her first trip to India to source local materials some 20 years ago.

A graduate from Edinburgh College of Art where she specialised in jewellery design and making, Elspeth had worked in New York in Manhattan’s fashion and jewellery district and gathered invaluable experience working with world-class designers before moving back to London to start her own jewellery business.

Drawing inspiration from her extensive travels within Europe; India and South East Asia, Elspeth's jewellery showcase her flair and creativity through an eclectic cultural mix of unique finds, featuring hand-made pieces, incorporating “materials and one-off designs that are out-of-the-ordinary". 

Elspeth invites visitors to meet her in her new St. Ives shop for “a unique shopping experience". 

The  address: Wills Lane, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1AF  

Wearable art by Hayley Beckley

Award-winning jewellery designer Hayley Beckley chooses textile as the medium to express her creativity and to showcase art on the human body in a contemporary and wearable way. 

Each piece from her ‘Found in the Forest’ collection features silk that has been digitally printed with layered photographs of tree silhouettes against beautiful skies. 

The intricate prints are combined with delicate sterling silver embellishments.  

Uniquely hand-made by Hayley, who uses creative pattern drafting and precision sewing to produce the unisex collection of unique collars, cuffs and bow ties.

Having graduated from the prestigious Birmingham School of Jewellery in 2014 with a BA (hons) in Jewellery and Silversmithing, she is an accomplished craftswoman she aims to create a body of work that combines art jewellery, couture fashion accessories and sustainable design as are demonstrated on the unique pieces shown here.

Hayley describes herself as “a compulsive maker, discoverer and dreamer who seeks to explore the unique narrative quality of wearable art and its interaction with the human form.”

Through her work, she attempts to narrate the importance of stories and communication; express a delight in and respect for the environment; and sensitively create positive connections to the world and the people around her.  

Hayley has worked as a freelance costume maker and designer for several years and continues to take on freelance projects alongside her work as a jewellery artist.  She is currently an Artist in Residence at Birmingham School of Jewellery working with current BA Jewellery Design & Related Products students.       Details on Hayley Beckley's designs are available on her website. Click HERE.

Photography and Styling: Hayley Beckley

Model: Amy Peace Buzzard

Make-up: Hazel Clarrie Baker       

Artist Rachel Howard's new creation for jewellery label TRUE ROCKS

The London / Ibiza based label TRUE ROCKS (available at Liberty in London) is known for turning everyday objects into extraordinary jewellery.

The brand's collaboration last season with Brit artist Gavin Turk was a limited-edition cheeky bitten and signed Rich Tea Biscuit pendant on a chain had proven widely popular.

Now founders / design-duo Emily Bradbury and Dawn Hindle have announced a new artist collaboration for Autumn/Winter 2015.

The Rachel Howard and True Rocks collaboration will be launching for Autumn/Winter 2015 to coincide with both London Fashion Week and also FRIEZE Art Fair. Howard’s Humble Hanger comes in two sizes in 18 carat Rose and yellow gold plate or sterling silver on two different lengths of chain: Medium 3.5 x 2cms with an adjustable 18-20” trace chain, and Large 5x3cms with an adjustable 20-22” trace chain

London Goldsmith College graduate and artist Rachel Howard (whose work has graced the walls of the Royal Academy, White Cube and the Guggenheim in New York) has collaborated with TRUE ROCKS and created a limited edition hanger pendant. 

Howard says 'The humble hanger is a celebration of the overlooked and commonplace, its function is taken for granted whereas here the humble hanger is honouring the workaday, elevated to something more grand. The simplicity of the wire hanger is beautiful; a few bends and a couple of twists. The humble hanger is also an object that eludes to the human body, eliciting perhaps loss, absence and love’.

True Rocks jewellery is available at Liberty and at TrueRocks.com and has been worn and photographed on Cara Delevingne,  Lily Allen, Mark Ronson and Ellie Goulding.  

Dower & Hall celebrate 25th anniversary with new jewellery collections

One of UK's favourite jewellery brands Dower & Hall are celebrating their 25th anniversary by unveiling a number of new contemporary collections just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

One of the new ranges see them delving into their jewellery archive to find the best-sellers from the last two decades and meticulously reworking them into new favourites.

These are added into their popular Nomad collection (as shown in pictures above) featuring their signature multi-textured hammered finish.  The range includes mixed metal bangles, rings, free-formed pendants and bold geometric shaped earrings for a free-spirited range.

Husband and wife, Dan Dower & Diane Hall are the creative duo behind the brand and are heavily influenced by their travels around the globe.  Nomad takes inspiration from the organic shapes and patterns that are found in nature, from pebbles washed up on British seashores, to the outlines that are formed in the dry deserts landscapes of the great continent of Africa.

Timeless classic Cherish lockets allow that personal touch.

Also among the favourites is the Cherish collection in which the classic locket is recreated to turn it from a vintage keepsake to a contemporary trend for 2015.
The Cherish lockets are crated in Sterling Silver and 18ct Gold Vermeil featuring double-sided glass windows combined with planished metal.

Lockets have for centuries enabled the wearer to carry something the person treasures and Dower & Hall have also produced a range of intricately made charms and keep-sake momentos such as birthstones and little treasures that one can collect and keep inside the lockets.  Great ideas for marking special occasions or mile-stone moments.  They come in different metal hues, from 18ct gold vermeil to 18ct rose gold, sterling silver, oxidized silver and even 18ct gold with delicate pave set stones for an added touch of sparkle.

 A pair of sterling silver statement drop earrings set with 8 white topaz gemstones that graduate in size. The earrings are finished with a post and butterfly back. Organically inspired, the drops have a soft beaten finish that complements the sparkle of the faceted stones - designed to evoke the purity of fresh morning dew. Stone sizes - 5, 4 & 3mm.
Total length 85mm.

The Dewdrop range features delicate pendants, bracelets and earrings set with semi-precious gemstones such as white topaz, amethyst and blue topaz stones.  The Dewdrop collection is available in sterling silver, 18ct yellow gold vermeil and 18ct rose gold vermeil.
All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.