Category: London Jewellery Boutique

1. Our new 'Graduate in the Spotlight'

   Posted on 5:13pm Friday 17th May 2013

   We have a winner! 

   Thank you to all those who took part in our Graduates in the Spotlight competition, from those who entered submissions, everyone who took the time to vote and our finalists, Sally-Anne Fenton and Jessica Nam.  Here's the interview that we carried out with Elise Goldin earlier this week.
   

   Designer Interview  - Elise Goldin

   What inspired you to become a jewellery designer?

   From a young age I enjoyed doing anything creative. I grew up watching Art Attack, Smart Art and Blue Peter, always trying to recreate what they made on the shows!

   Although I studied Art & Design at university, I wasn’t sure which speciality I was going to choose upon graduation.

   I was encouraged to show a concept jewellery collection at New Designers 2012, which gained a fair amount of attention. I realised that I had side-lined what came naturally to me, and what I got pure enjoyment out of, which was designing and making jewellery.

   What is your favourite piece of jewellery? (Either made or purchased)

   Whenever I make a new piece for the Facet collection, I always say, “Ooh, this is my favourite”! But overall, I would have to say it would be a pair of engraved feather earrings I made for my mum’s birthday. They were the first things I made when I moved into Flux studios, so they have sentimental value. I get real enjoyment out of seeing my friends and family wearing my jewellery. 

   Which celebrity would you love to wear your jewellery and why?

   Currently it’s Solange Knowles. She’s got a very unique and brave sense of style, that is cutting-edge and she never shies away from colour! 

   I can envisage my ‘Facet’ collection enhancing almost any of her outfit choices.

   Out-with jewellery is there any other career that you would love to try?

   If I hadn’t chosen jewellery as a path, I would have probably have gone down the route of Set-Design. I love the idea of creating a world from your imagination and turning it into a reality.

   What can we expect to see from you in the future?

   I will be releasing some Facet sub-collections; limited edition, couture, and adding new earthy colours for an autumn/winter collection.

   

    

2. Graduates in the Spotlight

   Posted on 4:54pm Friday 10th May 2013

    Who's it going to be???

   We have chosen our top 3 graduate designer/makers from the submissions that we received.  Those who had entered displayed some exceptional talent but we felt that these 3 ladies had the edge and we would welcome any of their collections in our window at Nude.  Now we need your help deciding who is going to be our graduate in the spotlight.

   

    

    

    

   

    

    

    

    

   
   

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

   We have a poll open on facebook, so click here and cast your vote!  Alternatively send us an email: [email protected] and we will make sure your vote counts. Voting closes on Wednesday 15th May.

    Good luck to all 3 finalists!!!

    

   This Competition Is Now Closed

    

3. Interview with.... Cara Tonkin

   Posted on 3:54pm Monday 29th Apr 2013

   Featuring two strong collections at Nude, Vesper and Volute, it's clear to see the cultural and historical aspects prevalent throughout Cara's work.  Growing up in Brighton she visitied antique markets and the treasure trove boutiques that Brighton is famous for, cultivating a love for historical objects and design.  A graduate of Central St Martin's Art School, her work exudes decadence and mysticism.

   What's your background and what inspired you to become a jewellery designer?

   I grew up in a very arty environment, both my mum and my dad paint and I was always encouraged to be creative. When i was young my mum always liked to get involved and teach me how to make things, she was probably the biggest influence on my becoming a jewellery designer. I decieded on jewellery as i wanted to learn a craft. The challenge of working with metal was massively appealing to me. There's just so much you can do with it as a material. I love that jewellery is precious and everlasting, it is used to express emotion and identity and often carries a great amount of sentimentality. It is wonderful making pieces which you know will be treasured for years to come.

   I studied at Central St Martins where I achieved a First Class Honours Degree. Straight after my degree I found myself working as the Designer/Creative Director of a High Fashion Jewellery Brand and then in 2010 I decided to go my own way and set up my own brand.

   

   How would you describe your customers?

    I think my customers like jewellery which creates a statement but is also elegant and feminine. I design for women who are individual and confident in their own style and taste, who love fashion and appreciate craftsmanship, but don't feel a need to follow trends.

   What is your favourite piece of jewellery? (either made or purchased)

   I have just added a new colourway to my Vesper range and it has to be the gold dipped and oxidised silver 'Full Swing' bracelet. I adore black and gold as a colour combination, it's so opulent and romantic and the piece is incredibly tactile and really comes to life when worn.

   Which celebrity would you love to wear your jewellery and why?

   If i were picking a celebrity from the past it would have to be the iconic femme fatale, Marchesa Luisa Casati. She was Europe’s most notorious celebrity for the first three decades of the twentieth century, she wore live snakes as jewellery and was infamous for her evening strolls, naked beneath her furs whilest parading cheetas on diamond-studded leashes. Everywhere she went, she set trends and inspired. She adorned her self with the jewels of Lalique who is one of my most admired artists and directly inspired the famed ‘Panther’ design for Cartier. I also love Florence Welch's style, it's darkly romantic which i love, it would be fantastic to create a bespoke piece for her to wear on stage.

   If you hadnt been successful as a designer what would your plan B have been?

   

   I would have trained to be a chef and opened up a rustic style
   cafe/restauraunt. I really enjoy cooking for people and it's also a
   great way of expressing creativity. I also love the idea of sourcing
   all sorts of mis-matched furniture and tableware from markets and
   antique shops.
   
   What can we expect to see from you in the future?
   
   
   I plan to bring out a bridal collection later in the year which will
   launch alongside a new collection, I'm very excited to be working on
   new designs so watch this space!