Nicholas King & Fiona Paxton Evening at EC One

So, here they are - a collection of lovely snaps from last week's designer event at EC One, celebrating the new collections from Nicholas King and Fiona Paxton. The shop was buzzing on the night, with a lovely mix of customers and fellows bloggers trying and buying - I had a quick chat with Fiona from Save Our Shoes, who bought some of Nicholas' flat Crown Bangles (as featured in my Spikes and Studs post last year), going on my promise that they glow under UV light. Good reason for sure!

 I know, I'm such a geek..! With my two Nicholas King Crown bangles

Fiona's gorgeous rail of necklaces

Fellow blogger Becky modelling Nicholas' Diamante Knot cuff

It was great to see the new pieces by Fiona, too. I 'modelled' her Trent necklace on the night - a gorgeous silver- and gunmetal-tone chainmail necklace, which hung in what I can only describe as 'swathes' around the neck. EC One's Maia modelled the studded Geneva necklace, while my favourite piece by Fiona had to be her Dolly necklace in silver and black, funnily enough modelled on EC One's own 'Dolly' mannequin!

 Maia in the Geneva necklace

The Dolly necklace

Nicholas' brilliant pieces also caused a stir, with ladies clamouring to try on his heavy cuffs. The real winners were definitely the Diamante Flower cuff, below, and the classic Diamante Knots in both clear resin and black-based resin. Find more photos on the EC One facebook page.

Ladies trying on Nicholas' Diamante Knot and Diamante Flower cuffs, more styles below

Nicholas and Fiona's array of work

Nicholas King & Fiona Paxton evening at EC One

Next week is London Jewellery Week which, as I'm sure you'd imagine, is quite big on my calendar. On Thursday 10th I'm heading to EC One jewellery in Clerkenwell, a stones throw from Hatton Garden and the hub of the action at Treasure in Holborn. EC One will be hosting an evening for two designers still new(ish) on the scene but already making big waves.

Nicholas King designs chunky, yummy cuffs and bangles in resin, which are handcarved and shaped meaning each one is a little bit different. The quirk, however, is that inside the resin are submerged treasures from diamante knots, to old watch faces, sequins and ribbons. The effect from the shaped resin is almost like looking at a Bridget Riley - it has to be seen to be believed.

Pyramid Stud cuff

UFO Disco bangle

Fiona Paxton's jewellery nods to ancient beadworking skills, played out in contemporary styles. She'll be showcasing her new collection at EC One; it's futuristic, a little bit tribal and a little bit deco. I love her spikey beaded 'Jess' collar and the chain tassles which are a theme across her necklaces and earrings. They shimmer and shake as you move which makes wearing them with jeans a tshirt (to which they're actually really suited!) immediately glamorous.

'Jess' collar in gold

'Paris' earrings in bronze

Check out my attempt at modelling Fiona's Berlin earring at work the other day... Aaah!!

Designer: Lua Lua

Lua Lua's jewellery designs make me happy; bright colours, geometric shapes, attitude and beauty. Made by Justyna Niewiara, a History of Art student turned jewellery designer, the collections merge the tactile nature of perspex with sterling silver, creating futuristic yet wearable designs, vivid in colour and clean in line...

Justyna Niewiara, the designer behind Lua Lua

Cosmos Bangle in silver and perspex, by Lua Lua

Large Black Triangle necklace, by Lua Lua

The first thing that drew me to Lua Lua's designs was the necklace, below, which - in its rainbow colours and sharp shape - reminded me of a modern-day ruff collar. Kind of jester-like, summery, fun. The simple perspex forms are only accentuated by the bold primary colours. All you need is a black or white tshirt, some beaten, old hi-tops and the look's pretty much done.

 

Multi-colour Perspex Tutti Frutti collar, by Lua Lua

To see more of Lua Lua this summer, Justyna will be at Treasure jewellery show during London Jewellery Week in June. Her pieces can also been found at the Tate Modern, as part of the Van Doesburg and the International Avant-Garde exhibition. You can also shop online here.