I've
visited some truly wonderful events and fairs in the past year and they never
disappoint. New discoveries and original creations are always
anticipated and realised. With International Jewellery Week in Earls
Court and Goldsmiths Fair in Goldsmiths Hall, the historical landmarks are befitting locations for these truly prestigious and important events, and with MADE LONDON being held at the stunning Holy Trinity Church built by Sir John Soane in One Marylebone, the significance continues.
Independent jewellery
designers made a great turnout for this year's event. Here are my highlights:
Helen Noakes
Quirky, fun and humorous, Helen Noakes uses tiny miniatures consisting of animals, figures and objects. Upon closer inspection I was awestrucked by her whimsical and irresistibly adorable designs. My favourite pieces are the Beside the Seaside bracelet, which cheekily plays upon conformist activities on the beach, and the penguin drop earrings for its realistic glacier created in resin.
Becky Crow
Becky Crow uses silver, copper, gold and cut-out effects to create her beautifully handmade and versatile 3D illustrations that are mysterious, pensive and mildly gothic. The Campfire brooch/pendant from the Stories and Eternity collection (above image) is contemplative and thoughtful; allowing the wearer to conceive their own story.
Lesley Strickland
Inspired by weathered natural forms and sculptors of the 1950s, I was drawn to Lesley Strickland's use of cellulose acetate for her jewellery collection. These almost-translucent materials creates fluid and natural curving effects like no other.
Emily Nixon
Emily Nixon's visually appealing pieces are inspired from her hometown in West Cornwall where the coastline is her main source of inspiration. She sees intricate details in everything; the fabric-like twists and folds of seaweeds, the varying contours of pebbles and objects washed up to the shore everyday. Her collection pays tribute to the wonders of our British coastlines that we haphazardly take for granted.
Henrietta Fernandez
Pretty, elegant and bold; Henrietta is influenced by patterns and simple organic forms. Her collection is clean, precise and ultra- modern; a positively non-fuss jewellery. A subtle statement for the wearer who wants to keep things simply minimalistic.
Sarah Straussberg
Sarah Straussberg's collection pays tribute to cubism and its emphasis on angles, shapes and clean lines; a sculptural-inspired collection that wouldn't look out of place in an art gallery. She uses black resin encased with brushed matt surface on the gold for added texture and individuality. My favourite is the multiple Bella ring above; why waste time stacking rings when you can have one made earlier?
Yuki Sasakura
Yuki's background in metal welding has inspired her inventive and mechanical designs. She is inspired by the Japanese technological advancement and the English historical culture and applied these elements into a positive spin.
Mark Nuell
Mark Nuell's stunning variety of sapphires is not something I've come across often. The lack of facets on the gemstones reveals their translucent beauty. Using 18ct gold and silver with a brushed textured finish; romantic decadence comes to mind.
Sophie Stamp
Described as an interactive jewellery experience; Sophie Stamp focuses on the beauty and movement of hidden mechanical components thus creating wearable pieces to interact with. We tend to subconsciously fiddle with our jewellery and Sophie made it even more of a temptation by creating movements. She sees the beauty of what is normally perceived as mundanely functional and convenient.
