20.2.13

Don't ever let anyone dull your sparkle

This weeks favourites | 20.02.13


Louise Gray | Queen of the collaboration


Louise Gray is the queen of collaborations.  Last year she did a collecdtion at London fashion Week with Lingerie Brand Triumph, and had made Topshop stores across the UK explode with colour and sequins, with her clothing and make-up collections. This year she has collaborated with British perspex jewellery brand Tatty Devine. Scroll down for more about the collection.. 
Louise Gray | Queen of the Collaboration

Louise Gray | Queen of the Collaboration by soulglitterdesign


I was so excited when I heard about Louise Gray's collaboration with Tatty Devine as I have always thought that her and the Tatty Devine founders Harriet and Rosie had very similar style, and both brand's designs re always so bold, colourful and loud, so it was kind of inevitable that they would cross paths at some point!

 I was supposed to be going to the preview of the collection at the Brick Lane store, but wasn't able to make it which I am gutted about, but luckily with the power of Instagram and the internet, I felt like I was there anyway!

The collection surprised me a bit, as I was expecting Louise to make full use of the neon and glittery perspex that Tatty often use in their jewellery, but instead it is made up of large, simple shapes in silver mirrored perspex, some of which feature etchings of Louise's own handwriting. At first I thought it was a little bit underwhelming, but then when I saw the pictures of models wearing the collection in her SS13 show I realised how striking the pieces look on, and they do actually manage to look 'expensive' despite being made from essentially sheet plastic. Seeing the pieces worn with her clothing also made me realise why the colours were kept minimal - if they weren't the pieces would have been fighting for attention and it wouldn't have worked.
Yes, those huge rectangles on the models hands are so-called rings!!
photo courtesy of  dressful.com

Overall I am a fan of the collaboration, but in terms of practicality and wearability, it is only for the brave!

LFW | Moschino Cheap & Chic

4.2.13

Designer Inspiration | Fernando Jorge

I am always blown away by the sculptural and fluid qualities of Fernando Jorge's jewellery. Everything from the cut of the stones to the proportions of each of his pieces is pure perfection and every view (outside, inside and the back of each piece) has been thought through so that whatever angle you look at it from, it's always beautiful.

Reading up on him the other day, it is so hard to believe he only graduated from Central Saint Martin's in 2010 and now has an established and hugely successful brand!

If you haven't seen his jewellery before, here's a selection of some of my personal favourites:
For more stunning jewels head over to his website, fernandojorge.co.uk and also take a look at Jewellery blog In Detail's interview with the designer.

1.2.13

Designer collab | Alex Monroe for Evans

Alex Monroe Interview

I was lucky enough to meet jewellery designer Alex Monroe and since meeting him he is without a doubt one of my biggest jewellery inspirations. I loved his jewellery before meeting him, but I have learnt so much about the ethics of keeping production on a small scale in a London based workshop, but big enough to reach people around the world.

I was definitely surprised when I heard Alex was doing a collection for plus size retailer Evans, as I would never have imagined him to do a high street collaboration at all. It's so refreshing for a designer to pick a slightly less well known shop and also a plus size shop at last!
I was a big risk though as it may lead loyal customers to think it is a bit of a sellout to do a high street range, but I think it will will work to Alex's advantage as it will attract a whole new range of customers who have never seen his work before and massively help his business.

Courtesy of the Evans website, this is what Alex had to say about his inspiration behind the collection;

"Everything has a story behind it. For the Evan's collection we looked back a generation or two at the fuller figure. But we didn't want to reference the unattainable glamour of Hollywood. We imagined a child watching her mother getting ready for a party in the ‘60's or early 70's. That intimate personal glamour. The smell of her perfume and carefully fastening earrings or a necklace. Some of the inspiration comes from William Morris imagery too. Furling curling leaves. I think we've retained that nostalgic sense of voluptuous glamour"


Ahh, he makes everything sound so poetic! Whatever you think of Alex Monroe taking on the high street though, it's hard not to get excited at how affordable the range is (most pieces are around £20)! And the jewellery is true to Alex's style and hasn't been compromised in any way (apart from the fact that it is not precious metals). It's a lovely collection and I can't wait for it to come out!