As part of the London Jewellery Week that took place earlier this month, Treasure showcased over 150 independent jewellers at Victoria House in Bloomsbury.
It was the perfect opportunity to spot those fantastic cutting-edge new design talents, and for any jewellery lover to marvel at all the amazing creations on display. My personal favourites were:
La Diosa www.ladiosa.co.uk
I had an instant crush on La Diosa’s designs. The the creation of partners Natasha Faith and Semhal Zemikael, La Diosa specialises in creating striking jewellery using refreshingly rare and unique gemstones. The London based duo travelled the world for a year to seek inspiration for their multi-award winning business, La Diosa, and still seek inspiration through interacting within different cultures and experiences. Their initial travels took them to the Mayan ruins of Mexico, the exotic islands of Thailand and electrifying destinations such as Tokyo, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. La Diosa, The Goddess in Spanish, evokes the three main characteristics of a Goddess: Empowerment, Beauty and Exclusivity. My favourite pieces were the Honey Moon pendants and the Lucina necklace, but every single piece is unique and stunning!
Madhuri Parson – NewYork – www.madhuriparson.com
Madhuri Parson’s jewellery pieces could be summarized in one word: breath-taking. They combine original designs, exquisite delicacy and sophisticated colours.
Madhuri’s appreciation for her jewellery heritage was set at an early age, her late grandfather having exposed her to the art of jewellery making. A sixth generation gem enthusiast, Madhuri was born to design, which ultimately led her to develop her eponymous fine jewellery brand.
Her eclectic mix of Indian tradition and western lifestyle is an endless reservoir of inspiration. She finds inspiration in her travels, at home, and among nature. Bold colours, sensuous shapes, multicoloured gemstones, exquisite Jaipuri enamelling are signature aspects of her brand. « I wanted to create a versatile collection that would complement a woman’s complex emotions and demanding lifestyle, while enhancing her individuality. »
Among other gems exposed at Victoria House, were:
Eastern Mystic www.easternmystic.com
The brainchild of British born and self-taught designer Sonal Talgeri-Bhaskaran, Eastern Mystic launched in September 2009 as a statement jewellery label strongly influenced by the designer’s Indian heritage. 24ct Gold Vermeil, Gunmetal plated brass, Fine and Sterling Silver chains with a myriad of gemstones and crystals are combined to translate a world of myths, folklore, and Mughal opulence into bold yet classic statements. Each piece is handcrafted by Sonal in London and made in limited editions.
Rachel Galley Jewellery www.rachelgalley.com
Rachel Galley graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 2004 with a First Class Honours Degree in Jewellery Design. After working for prestigious brands in the luxury market such as Links of London, Stephen Webster and Boodles, she decided to start her own business. Rachel’s unique designs are now worn by singer Lily Allen and actress Juliette Lewis, as well as TV presenters, musicians and fashion models.
Rachel Galley’s designs are stylish, interactive and fun to wear. The designer draws her inspiration from intricate carved wood, bronze historic treasures, architecture, engineering, natural textures and objects found in our daily lives. Rachel adds her own innovative twist with hidden compartments or containers, enabling the wearer to interact with their jewellery. Bespoke, handmade fittings and clasps give each piece her own signature finish.
Elinor Voytal- www.elinorvoytal.com
Elinor Voytal graduated from Bucks University with a first class degree in knitted textiles. Her designs are inspired by the fusion of hard metal and crystal elements into the soft, delicate and luxurious structures of machine knitted silk and viscose. She is interested in the way the embedding of metal findings or embellishment of Swarovski crystals changes the feel and weight of the fabric. The colourway for her graduate collection was taken from pixelised manipulations of her own photographs and she continues to use photography as inspiration.
Milena Kovanovic for PureJewels’s Platinum Heritage Collection 2011 – www.purejewels.com
PureJewels, based in the Green Street jewellery quarter of east London, has had a big impact in the UK jewellery industry since last year by supporting talented British artist-jewellers who have created exceptional pieces for the Platinum Heritage Collection reflecting the story of the brand, which traces its roots to India and East Africa.
Serbian born Milena Kovanovic, whose creations are inspired by the natural world, has been chosen as the fourth designer for the Platinum Heritage Collection 2011, to create a couture piece in platinum for the Collection. Her creation, Mughal, as homage to the Mughal art and architecture, is « an ode to the colourfulness of India… [I] created this piece to evoke a sense of wonder in the wearer. » And wonder it is! A captivating work combining a myriad of coloured stones such as champagne diamonds, pink sapphires and tsavorites set around a rose cut diamond. Crafted in platinum and gold, the piece incorporates hand-engraved and enamelled petals. Absolutely unique.
Laurie Guillem