Sofia Retro Bazaar

Sofia Renewall

Spring Summer 2012

Image courtesy of Sofia Retro Bazaar

United by their passion for fashion and a relentless curiosity for everything that is arts and crafts, designers - and best friends - Llaria Tranfa and Rita Molina have created, Sofia Retro Bazaar.  A brand to represent responsible fashion.

The designers have created two collections incorporating re-used materials and hand-crafted techniques.  All pieces are made in Italy with controlled production.

Their jewellery collection - Plexy Couture - is a collection of limited edition modern pieces created from re-cycled plexiglass.

Sofia Renewall is a distinctive collection of clothes, bags, lingerie and beachwear combining romance with a strong edge.  Each unique piece is hand-made using carefully selected vintage scarves and precious fabrics including silk and organza.

Clothing - Sofia Renewall

Jewellery - Plexy Couture

Image courtesy of Sofia Retro Bazaar

Clothing - Sofia Renewall

Jewellery - Plexy Couture

Image courtesy of Sofia Retro Bazaar

 Sofia Renewall
Image courtesy of Sofia Retro Bazaar

Something to treasure from Lilygrace Originals

Lilygrace Originals is a new online store selling unique, handcrafted, one of a kind jewellery inspired by the colour, gothic drama and visual imagination of Frida Kahlo; the intricate and unusual jewellery designs of Miriam Haskell and the surrealism and humour of Elsa Schiaparelli.

Frida Blanco
Frida Kahlo black and white cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Originals

Each piece of jewellery is lovingly hand-made in the UK by Hazel Mathiot, a fine artist based in Wiltshire.  Vintage rhinestones and English cut glass beads are used together with hand modelled polymer clay shapes, antiqued brass chains and up cycled vintage photographs to create one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces.

Blue Rose Geisha
Vintage photo violet, sky and teal cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Originals

Mirror Mirror
Red and yellow naughty pin-up girl cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Origianls

 Influenced by the current trend for earrings and cameos, I have chosen to show these stunning cameo earrings.  The complete collection of jewellery is available online www.lilygraceoriginals.com.

Pretty as a Peacock
Blue green iridescent Show Girl cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Originals

Lullatic and Ada Zanditon - Jewellery collaboration

Re-cycled plastic jewellery
Lullatic for Ada Zanditon SS11 Collection

I love this creative collaboration between jewellery designer Lucali Romanyi and Ada Zanditon.  

Re-cycled plastic jewellery from the SS2011 collection.

Cryoflux from the AW2011 collection, inspired by Antarctica, the environmental perils of the modern world and climate change.

Complete collections can be seen Romanyi's website Lullatic.com

Re-cycled plastic jewellry
Lullatic for Ada Zanditon SS11 Collection

Cryoflux AW11 Collection
Lullatic for Ada Zanditon

Cryoflux AW11 Collection
Lullatic for Ada Zanditon

Glamourous and ramshackle jewelry by La Tonkinoise a Paris.

La Tonkinoise a Paris

I am delighted to have found La Tonkinoise a Paris:  a brand of delicate up-cycled jewelry.  Created with an arts and crafts approach, it's designer makes use of vintage rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches that she finds in Paris flea markets.  Each piece is hand-made to create unique items that mix together "glamourous and ramshackle, rough and luxurious, rock 'n roll and poetic".

By recycling discarded jewelry, La Tonkinoise's designer has brought to life rejected items to create modern individual pieces with a story to tell.

La Tonkinoise a Paris

La Tonkinoise a Paris

La Tonkinoise a Paris

La Tonkinoise a Paris

The name La Tonkinoise is taken from a Josephine Baker song of the same name.  Follow the link to hear this beautiful song ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlcW28ZUxFg

Fashion for squares - Study NY

The Square Project by Study NY.

SS10 Collection

All images by permission of Tara St James

I know of Tara St James, the New York-based fashion designer and head of creative collective Study NY, through the Ethical Fashion Network. As part of the Study NY collective, Tara has designed a collection of sustainable clothing - The Square Project - which was launched at The Green Shows during New York Fashion Week last September.

It was this SS10 collection, with it's modern aesthetic, clean lines and cool colours that first grabbed my attention. The collection consists of 14 pieces across 9 different styles and 2 separate colours. Each of the styles is made of a different number of squares of fabric. Tara's aim was to create a sustainably developed collection that can be worn in several different ways, using the most basic shape - the square.

The Study NY collective also produce jewellery, graphic design, photography, music and fine art with an aim to use recycled and organic materials as much as possible in their work. It's a positive study for fashion and design.

The Square Project SS10 collection can be viewed on www.4equalsides.com

Be adorned by the Kalahari

All Images by Boo George

A collaboration between two London based jewelers and The Bushmen of the Kalahari has resulted in a unique collection of directional jewelry.

Anna Haber and Sabine Roemer worked closely with Bushmen tribes women to create jewelry inspired by the Bushmen of the Kalahari's culture for adornment. The collection is a fusion of traditional skills and natural materials - Ostrich eggshells, seeds, bone and wood - with modern materials including satin and velvet.

The aim is to build a sustainable business for the tribe and generate an important source of income, especially for the women.

HandEye Magazine has a full article - handeyemagazine. Anna Haber's blog onefinetread has more information with stunning images by fashion photographer Boo George.

Statement Handbags with a Conscience

I came across this stylish handbag and just had to share it with you. Hand-crafted in Colombia using a combination of natural fibres, including sisal and iraka palm combined with cowhide leather, to create a unique and modern accessory. I love the mix of textures and unexpected use of colours - adds a quirky fashion touch.

Copyright Artisan LIfe Limited

Check out the colourful cuffs too. Produced from iraka palm fibre, naturally dyed to create vivid colour combinations. Pile them high to make a fashion statement with a conscience.

To view a full range of products take a look at Artisan Life's website.

Copyright Artisan LIfe Limited

Artisan Life Limited was established to promote, develop and support Colombian artisans and their crafts. Colombia has a history of handmade crafts and cultural traditions. This cultural heritage continues to provide an important source of income to a female dominated workforce who have limited options for productive employment. Artisan Life focus upon improving the artisans' quality of life, using natural and sustainable materials and preserving the cultural heritage of Colombian crafts.

Admirable values. Fabulous, unique products. Who can resist?

Who Said Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend?

Have I mentioned that I’m a bit of a hoarder? I have boxes and bowls, cases and caskets over-spilling with jewellery. This collection has accumulated over years of rummaging in markets, charity shops and independent boutiques on my travels, as well as treasured items given to me by my grandmothers.

I don’t own any diamonds or precious stones. I have never been the kind of woman who wiles away an afternoon staring longingly into the window’s of luxury jewellers, a la Holly Golightly.I would much rather wear an individual, vintage or hand-crafted piece

Recently, I came across the work of Kirsten Muenster, a jeweller based in San Francisco who creates beautiful pieces inspired by nature using recycled, vintage and sustainable materials.

“I am drawn to the rich diversity of colours and patterns in the stones I use. I love exploring rock formations, fossils, tree rings, fractals and nature’s simplicity expressed in it’s irregular lines and shapes”

Kirsten’s work incorporates vintage buttons, recycled copper fire brick, fossilized coral, sustainable nuts, recycled sterling silver and ethically sourced stones. The agates and jaspers that Kirsten uses are either found along lakeshores and riverbeds or purchased from small family owned mines.

Necklace incorporating repurposed vintage chains, vintage metal button, druzy quartz, recycled copper firebrick, drycreek jasper and recycled sterling silver.

Image courtesy of Kirsten Muenster via flickr.com

Necklace incorporating fossilized dinosaur bone, vintage mother of pearl buckle, silver rutilated quartz and recycled sterling silver.

Image courtesy of Kirsten Muenster via flickr.com

Cast silver rings. Recycled sterling silver.

Image courtesy of Kirsten Muenster via flickr.com

Rings created with fossilized coral and recycled sterling silver.

Image courtesy of Kirsten Muenster via flickr.com

Ring created using recycled copper firebrick and recycled sterling silver.

Image courtesy of Kirsten Muenster via flickr.com

The website gives an insightful description of all of the materials that Kirsten uses. I found it fascinating. Kirsten’s work is ethical, beautiful and inspiring. Her design philosophy is an inspiration too:

“I believe it’s possible to have a beautifully designed piece of jewellery made with interesting materials whose cultivation does not fund corrupt organizations or promote unfair labour practices…I am always exploring more conscious and sustainable options for my jewellery materials”

I couldn't have put it better myself.