Designer: Brokenfab

A few weeks back while doing some research for Adorn London, I came across Brokenfab jewellery (aka Fabienne Morel) a Swiss textiles designer now dipping her toe in the world of jewellery design. Drawn by the the mad, clashing colours I decided to have a closer look...

  Fabienne Morel, aka Brokenfab.

Image courtesy of myspace.com/fabiennemorel

Taking her inspiration from African tribal jewellery and the colours, shapes and styles seen across London clubs, Fabienne's jewellery exemplifies popular culture through the unusual use of colourful, striking beadwork.

 Pyramid Neckpiece, by Brokenfab

Unique Neckpiece, by Brokenfab

Pyramid Beaded Earrings, by Brokenfab

The jewellery is said to express influential musical genres in a visual, wearable form; dubstep, disco, electro, soul and detroit house. The shapes and geometry featured in the jewellery - triangles, zig-zags and criss crossing - allow Brokenfab's designs to clash and jarr, creating 'high-energy designs'. Pretty much in love with every piece she does; I'm especially drawn to the Rocket Necklace, below, something about the tassles and cute pastel colours... Aaah!

Rocket Neckpiece, by Brokenfab

Beaded Pyramid earrings, by Brokenfab

Oria: 18ct gold Star collection

With ethical jewellery ever-growing and a demand for luxury jewellery with a conscience, it's great to see that Oria have just launched a new 18ct gold collection to complement their already established Bibbi and Nina collections. 

 Designs from the new Star collection

 

18ct gold Star ring, set with a diamond

Featuring elegent star shapes and ethically-sourced white diamonds, the Star collection consists of stacking rings, simple pendants and pretty studs - perfect for everyday wear. The designers behind Oria - Tania Kowalski and Synnove Saelthun - are two lovely and talented ladies with great design ideas up their sleeves and a brilliant history in jewellery. Can't wait to see what they come out with next (their silver collections are already a hit with me!)

 

18ct gold Star studs

 

18ct gold Circling Star necklace

Tania Kowalski and Synnove Saelthun or Oria

Joanna Cave for Partimi

Lovely news today, spotting that Joanna Cave has joined forces with ethically aware British clothing label Partimi. The result is a beautiful collection of jewellery and clothes that's eye-catching yet environmentally conscious. 

While I've written about Joanna's work here previously, noting her use of recycled metals and ethically-sourced gemstones, her partnership with Partimi (aka Eleanor Dorrien-Smith, a 2008 CSM graduate) is something new and exciting for both designers. Eleanor notes "I want Partimi to be part of of a fashion industry that discards 'throwaway society'".

Producing designs which are alluring and timeless, I really love this collaboration. Joanna's base in Athens is always recognisable in the shapes and finish of her work, while Eleanor's collection is inspired by ageing Ballet Russes costumes owned by her grandmother - beautiful from a distance but frayed here and there, repaired yet lovingly worn when studied up close.

Designer: Yayoi Forest

I stumbled upon Yayoi Forest via Not Couture's link to the lovely US jewellery site CatBird. Entranced by the ethereal feel of the jewellery I decided to look Yayoi up, and discovered a magical world of dainty, detailed 14ct gold a silver jewellery.

Silver Knot Ring

Currently based in Brooklyn but originally from Kyoto, Japan, Yayoi Inada's jewellery is influenced by her upbringing close to a forest; the sounds, smells and touch of the woodland, from falling rain to the rough of tree bark.

Twinkle Crescent Moon necklace, in silver

From pendants engraved with owls and stars, to delicate rings studded with little diamonds, Yayoi's designs are a little mythical, a little rustic, but beautifully charming.

14ct gold ring set with 7 white diamonds

A little something: Guest blog post on Adorn London: Tribal Jewels

Another quick post as I've written a guest blog post on Adorn London this week. This time the focus is on summery, tribal jewellery. Seed beads are big news; the brighter and more colourful the better. Amen to that!

A little something: Love From Hetty & Dave Pussycat brooches

Aww. Doesn't it feel like the weekend should be here already? With it being annoyingly cold I feel very much like cosying up on the sofa to watch Pretty in Pink (any excuse, seriously). But oddly, these little cat brooches by Love From Hetty & Dave make me feel like smiling lots... Because they make me want to go home and see my darling cat Oscar (aka Boo, Bosks, Babies). Poor thing...

Hand-stitched leather cat brooches... aw!

 

Leopard-print version!

Me and Oscar!

Erickson Beamon sample sale

Next Sunday make sure you get up bright and early and head to Elizabeth Street in Pimlico, for a very special sample sale at the Erickson Beamon store. With a star-studded line up of jewellery designers including Holly Fulton, Fiona Paxton, Laura Lee and Lucy Hutchings there's going to be plenty of gorgeous goodies on offer. And with all proceeds going to Made Africa (as written about last week), it's going to feel even better splashing out on that little something special.

Find it on a map here

Alex Monroe's Charity Bicycle Necklaces

We all love Alex Monroe, whether its his classic Bumblebee necklace, his recent Watering Can, his Love Birds ring or his new 18ct gold collection... His designs keep getting cuter, more detailed and more meaningful.

18ct gold Raleigh Jeep Necklace, by Alex Monroe

So I was very excited this week to find out about a special auction and bike ride which Alex is taking part in for the charity Fight for Sight, which researches the causes and prevention of blindness.

For the auction Alex has hand-made two one-of-a-kind 18ct gold bicycle necklaces, one based on a classic 1980s Bianchi men's racing bike and the other a ladies' 1975 Raleigh Jeep. Not only are they both diamond and ruby-set but the little wheels go around! Lovely.

18ct gold 1980s men's Bianchi bike, with diamond and ruby 'lights'

The necklaces in question will be auctioned off between now and July 19th, with the highest bidders receiving one of these gorgeous designs. In the meantime, Alex and two friends are cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats - very impressive! For the rest of us, for whom cycling gets us to work and back (or in my case, just to work, where my bicycle has lain dormant since February!) we can still donate from behind our computer screens. Read more about the charity, the bike ride and the necklaces here.

Raleigh Jeep bike in 18ct gold, with diamond and ruby 'lights'

A little something: Selim Mouzannar rings

I don't often write about super 'precious' jewellery; diamonds, platinum, those things which cost big bucks... But now and again the time comes and the UK arrival of Lebanese designer Selim Mouzannar is definitely worth a mention. As the newest addition to EC One's repertoire of British and international designers, Selim combines gorgeous pastel-hued sapphires with the sparkle of white and brown diamonds. The style of the setting and the playful colourways remind me of little  macaroons or fairy cakes. But then there are the stunning pave-set diamond rings, below, which add a serious, chic slant to Selim's style.

 18ct Rose gold pave-set diamond rings, by Selim Mouzannar at EC One

18ct rose gold ring set with old-cut oval white sapphires and diamonds

Made using 18ct rose gold (super on-trend in jewellery at the mo) and a mix of old-cut, rose cut, new and antique stones, Selim's rings are the perfect cross-over, combining a heritage influence in the design, with a clean modern setting inspired by the arches of the architecture in his hometown, Beirut. Watch this space, as I'm sure I'll be writing more about Selim soon!

Amethyst and cognac diamond ring, by Selim Mouzannar at EC One