This week I’m chatting to Andrea Flamini, founder of Loel, a small family run business passionate about jewellery. The exquisite handmade Italian jewellery made from recycled gold and silver have graced the ear lobes and necks of celebs such as Claudia Winkleman, Mel B and Tyra Banks. Hi Andrea, and welcome …
Hello 👋 I’m Andrea, a 46 year old mother of two boys and more recently a puppy. I was born in Malta but lived most of my life in London and more recently the Kent Coast. I am the owner of Loel, an independent jewellery brand passionate about Italian hand made designs. Apart from being passionate about all things jewellery I love to dance, sing, read and make things – whatever they are from tapestry cushions to copper Christmas decorations. I love nothing more than a spontaneous dinner with friends fuelled by pasta and wine
What inspired the setting up of “Loel”?
I have always adored jewellery. Growing up my mother had the most incredible style and collection of pieces she bought or inherited from her grandmother and I loved playing dress up in her pearls and brooches. When I was older my parents moved to Italy and my mother set up her own jewellery business making and selling jewellery to 5% hotels around Europe. At the time I would help her with the online aspect of the business and travel with her on any buying trips to meet the Italian designers. I loved being immersed in this world of design and creativity so much so that when it was time for me to go back to work after my first maternity leave I decided to leave my Head of Marketing job and try and create a brand that brought the beautiful hand made pieces that I was seeing in Italy to a UK audience.
I absolutely adore your Tassel Collection – especially the Tassel Hoop earrings! What items are proving popular amongst your customers so far this season?
The Tassel Hoops have always been a best seller for us. They are so distinctive that everyone who wears them adores them. As part of that collection we launched a large multi tassel cuff at the end of last year which Claudia Winkleman wore on Strictly and that sold out instantly. We’ll be getting more of those and the hoops in for our waiting list and looking to introduce a new collection later this year,m
Out of all your collections, do you have any favourites?
It’s very hard to say as I love all the designs that we have had over the years. However one close to my heart is our Gold Coast Collection which we developed alongside our photographer friend Jaron James. These were pieces inspired by the iconic landscape around us on the Kent Coast the stunning photographs that Jaron had created. The Arrow pendant from that collection is still one of our best sellers. I would love to do a follow up collection at some point..
As you are based in the UK, are your products available to purchase overseas?
We ship all over the world but at the moment don’t have any stockists outside of the UK. We are always open to working with brilliant people so would love to explore that option.
When looking for jewellery designs to add to your collection, do you take into account your own tastes, your customer base, requests, traditional pieces, what you have discovered or bits of all those?
From the start I always wanted to buy pieces that I would love to wear. I felt this way I could honestly and passionately talk about the designs in an authentic way as I truly believed in them and how they were made. Our customers however do also help shape the collections and the pieces we develop. I really listen to their feedback and requests to see if we can develop pieces that they love and we love.
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As you are passionate about Italy … as well as jewellery, of course, what are your 3 favourite things you love about Italy?
I love everything about Italy. I studied Italian at university and spent a year living in Piacenza as part of my course and fell it love. My parents later moved to the Italian lakes and lived there for many years and I would visit at least 3 or 4 times a year. I love it’s culture and attitude, Italians really know how to embrace life and live it to the full. Whether thats with the food they eat, the importance of family and the value on tradition their quality of life in my opinion is second to none.
I love the variety that Italy has to offer. Each region and town is unique offering a history and culture all of its own, even from one neighbouring town to the other. They are passionate about their own particular wine or food or particular famous landmark and will argue to the death that their is the best in the world.
I love their style. The Italians are just so elegant. Everything is considered and put together in the most exquisite fashion. I love their crazy rules around what is and isn’t acceptable to wear when. For example you’ll never find an Italian wearing navy in Autumn. Navy is only ever worn in the Spring. Why I have no idea but I love their commitment to the rules.
What part(s) of Italy do you feel offers the best when it comes to jewellery?
Our designers are predominantly based in Tuscany – the region is renown for jewellery with many artisans and generations of families in the business. There are a number of small independent family run manufacturers in the area, each with their own style and speciality. Vicenza is also famous for its jewellery, a historical city as beautiful as the pieces that their local designers create.
Hypothetically speaking, which famous lady would you pick to be the “Face” Of Loel and why?
I would have to say Claudia Winkleman is the perfect Loel girl. She absolutely knows what she likes and has a style of her own. She’s incredibly funny, self deprecating and never takes herself too seriously – something we try to do ourselves with the brand. Jewellery should be fun and not serious or moody. It should be the cherry on top of your outfit cake. Therefore someone with that sense of style and fun is key to our customer base.
Growing up, did you always want to be a jewellery designer or did your aspirations lie elsewhere?
I always wanted to do something creative with my life. Whether that was in fashion and design or another creative route. I ended up spending many years in advertising and marketing which did allow me to spend a lot of time amongst creative people which is so inspiring.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
Since moving but the coast a few years ago if I’m honest I am usually in joggers and trainers which is shameful I know. I work from home so there is very little reason to get dressed up most days. If I do have to make an effort then I would usually wear some kind of oversized Co-ord set or bagging jeans and some great shoes. And always way too much gold jewellery for most people’s liking.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites? (Apart from your own!)
My dream is to be forever in cashmere and Max Mara but the reality is I try to shop locally where I can. Positive Retail in Margate and Deal is an amazing store offering pre-loved and dead stock designer pieces at a reduced price. POM in London is one of our stockists and Katie has the most incredible eye. I’m also a sucker for a bargain so will have a nose around The Outnet or TK Max every now and again. Plus I am trying to be better at finding things on Vinted or Ebay before buying anything new. High Street wise I would say Cos or Zara but always in an XL!
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
We got a new puppy at Christmas so I am on the hunt for some good walking boots! And a really great oversized cashmere sweater
Boots or Shoes?
I would have to say Boots from now on as I will be walking much more with the puppy. But generally I’m in trainers and flat so traditionally shoes! I do have some amazing shoes that my incredibly generous Mother In Law has given me over the years.
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Loel:
In the bleak mid winter is a splendid time to fondly look back on travels made and to make plans for further adventures. It is also approaching the Christmas season … and I have the ideal gift idea for travellers. It is a gift that reminds you of your travels and gives an added incentive to make some more. From Journeys Made, it is a luxurious leather travel key ring with a Pandora – like token, engraved for each destination visited – whether it’s a country, city, town, state or island. Founded in 2021 by Jade Scammells, I caught up with Jade to find out more about her gifts, her travels and her fashion tastes 😊 Hi Jade & welcome !
Hi, I’m Jade Scammells, the founder of travel gift company, Journeys Made. I created Journeys Made as a way for me to stay connected to the experiences I’d had and memories I had made around the world. I founded the business shortly after closing my travel agency due to the pandemic.
What inspired the founding of your company, Journeys Made?
At a time when we couldn’t travel I found myself reminiscing on my past adventures and wanted to create something that kept all my travels in one place, a keychain that I could carry with me wherever I went. So that’s what I made, a leather travel keychain that holds engraved destination tokens each representing a place visited.
I love the idea of collecting tokens for countries visited or even cities, mountains, US states and you can get personalised tokens done too. What is currently the most popular token asked for?
The most popular country token that people ask for is France, which makes total sense as it is consistently the most visited country in the world. Spain, Italy, Scotland and Greece follow closely behind for the top 5 most popular country tokens I sell.
Apart from the keepsakes, you also sell stainless steel necklaces to collect tokens on. Have you got any other ideas in the pipeline for future Journeys Made items?
As an entrepreneur I always have ideas on what I could do with Journeys Made; what new items I could create, how I can elevate the current products – perhaps by introducing new colours, different metals. Someone once suggested I make an exclusive keepsake out of solid gold! At the moment, I’m focusing on collaborating with brands to get my products in their stores. My dream would be to get my keepsakes on cruise ships, stocked in their onboard gift shops.
As Journeys Made is based in the UK, are your products on the website available to purchase & ship worldwide?
Yes they are. I ship to every country in the world, including the British Forces Post Office for those serving in the HM Forces abroad.
Thinking back to your own past travels, what places are in your top 3 destinations?
That’s a tough question because I’ve been very fortunate and have travelled quite a bit. I’d say in third place would be Finland because it was an experience like no other, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking and the locals are so friendly. Second place would be Mexico, it will always have a special place in my heart as I went here on my honeymoon, but I love Mexican food and all the Mayan ruins. My top destination would have to be Costa Rica, this country is incredible, the food is fantastic, the people are the friendliest people ever – everyone is so happy, the landscapes vary from the Arenal volcano to the Pacific coast beaches, it’s so diverse, and of course, I can’t forget the wildlife; toucans, monkeys, sloths, we saw them all. There is so much to do in Costa Rica, from relaxing on the beach to canyoning through the rainforest, it’s a truly eye-opening destination.
Have you visited any places that you felt didn’t live up to your expectations?
We went to Washington DC as part of a twin-centre New York – DC holiday, we took the Amtrak from New York and stayed in DC for 3 nights, I found it quite disappointing. I thought it would feel empowering to visit but it didn’t. There were protests outside the White House, coach loads of tourist groups everywhere, and bizarrely not many food options that appealed to me for dinner. I do think spending 3 nights in Washington DC was too long, we did all the landmarks and a couple of museums in one and a half days, I would say a maximum of 2 nights here would have sufficed. Visiting the Lincoln Memorial and Reflection Pool was really great though and quite moving.
Bucket list time… what’s place is top of your list?
Another tough question, there’s so many places on my bucket list. The top for me would be the Maldives, I know it’s cliché but I live such a busy life and the idea of being on an island listening to the sea and enjoying quality family time together is bliss.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I do prefer a basic style – neutral colour t-shirts or long sleeves, paired with some jeans and ankle boots. Although, I do love knitted jumpers when the weather turns cold, you can’t beat that cosy feeling of being wrapped up warm.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
I love H&M, that’s my favourite shop, and I do like Apricot.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I’d love a new pair of Chelsea boots, we’ve recently bought my daughter some and I’m jealous because they look great!
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I feel like boots are always a great choice because they go with a lot of the clothes I wear. Plus, I spend most of my time either running around after my toddler or handmaking my products so I need to be wearing something sturdy and comfortable.
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Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc so that readers can find out more about Journeys Made.
Many thanks for joining me on the blog,Jade. The leather key ring is really well made and I love the discs to remember and collect…. I will hopefully be adding some more to mine in the future!
Linda x
All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Jade Scammells of Journeys Made ( Pinterest & header photo by Linda Hobden).
Love dogs ✔️ Love fashion ✔️ Then you are going to love Dobbelaere Fashion …. my guest this week is Ekaterina Dobbelaere and she is the founder of Dobbelaere Fashion Ltd. From her sewing studio in Hebden Bridge, Ekaterina makes stunning ladies wear AND dog carrier fashions. Yes, you heard right – chic dog carriers and stylish clothing for pet parents! I caught up with Ekaterina recently to find out more. Hi Ekaterina & welcome!
Hello! My name is Ekaterina Dobbelaere, and I make garments and accessories for petite ladies and their pooches. At Dobbelaere Fashion, I blend my passion for fashion with my love for pets, creating stylish and high-quality pieces for both women and their furry friends.
Who or what inspired you to start your fashion brand concentrating mainly on chic dog carriers and stylish ladies fashions?
I have always been into fashion, and always had a thing for anything fashion-related. But my dog carriers are a different story. My husband got me into it). He comes from a family that used to manufacture pet accessories.
So, long story short, less than a year ago I decided to start making dog carriers as an addition to my ladies’ dresses, tote bags, and style services.
Have you always had an interest in fashion design or did you have other career plans whilst growing up?
I have always been into fashion but didn’t plan to be in fashion. I wanted to be a singer or an actress, so, I wanted to be on a stage and perform, but I think fashion and stage always go together.
All your designs originate from your sewing studio in Hebden Bridge – when and where did you learn to sew?
Yes, that’s right, all my designs are made in my sewing workshop in Hebden Bridge. I learned how to sew when I was little, I used to make outfits for my dolls and design outfits for myself, but outfits for myself I didn’t sew, my mother did. So, we can say that I was a couturier and she was my seamstress). Later in life, I believe it was in 2016, I took dressmaking and pattern-making lessons.
I love the dog carriers -especially the Jute dog carrier – and for ladies, the Athens loose fit linen dress is rather divine. What dog carriers/ fashion designs/colours are most popular at the moment? Have you got favourite designs/items from your collections?
Thank you! I love the Jute one too. The most popular and best-selling one in the UK is the Panthera Dog Carrier. This carrier is waterproof (which is important for UK clients), windproof (also important if you live in the UK), dirt repellent, and very warm and cozy, plus, machine-washable!
I think I like most of my creations because most of the dresses I also have in my wardrobe and wear regularly.
So, when you are designing your dog carriers and fashions to add to your collection, do you go for popular trends, customer requests, personal favourites or a mixture of all 3?
I would say a mixture of everything. Trends, tendencies, requests, market research, favourites etc. But, most importantly I follow my vision, my concept, my standards, my beliefs, my heart, and my ideas.
As you are based in the UK, are your items available to purchase overseas?
Yes, of course, I ship worldwide. Some of my carriers and dresses can be seen in the USA, France, Belgium, and other countries.
As a sideline, in a way, you also offer Dobbelaere Fashion Private label services and Fashion Business Consulting. What do these services entail?
Yes, 2 years ago fashion business consulting was my main part of the business and only a bit later, when I bought my sewing equipment I added dresses and dog carriers.
I offer Private Label services. I specialise in creating custom dog carrier collections tailored to the brand’s unique vision and identity. From design conceptualisation to production and branding, I handle every aspect of the process to ensure high-quality, personalised garments that reflect the brand’s style and ethos.
Tote bags and dresses can also be done as a part of private label services.
The most important thing is that there is no MOQ, which is crucial for young brands.
Fashion Business Consulting. I provide tailored solutions to help fashion businesses to succeed in the competitive fashion industry. From market analysis and trend forecasting to brand development and marketing strategies, procurement services, I offer comprehensive consulting services to guide on every step of the way.
Hypothetically speaking, if you could pick any woman ( dead or alive) to represent the “Face” of your brand, who would you pick and why?
I think the first one who comes to mind is Audrey Hepburn. Why? Elegance, chic simplicity, and pearls, of course, I love pearls.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I normally wear dresses and skirts. Almost 10 years ago I stopped wearing trousers, jeans, shorts etc and I try to inspire other ladies to wear more dresses.
Shoes. Usually, I wear slingbacks, mules, court shoes, pumps, and loafers.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses. I love their sunglasses and actually, Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana were wearing their sunglasses too.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
Interesting question. Custom-made pair of shoes perhaps?
Boots or Shoes?
I think shoes. But, a lot depends on climate, mood, outfit, event, etc. But, yes, I would say shoes, unless I have to go horseback riding, in this case definitely boots) or walk my dog in the rain, you need a great pair of rubber boots.
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Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Dobbelaere Fashion Ltd.
Please take a look at my website www.dobbelaere.fashion, Also I have Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest accounts. I am always happy to see new followers.
The blog is off to Turkey this week to interview Yusuf of Galen Leather, a family owned company specialising in hand made leather goods for stationery and pen & paper enthusiasts. The company was founded in 2012 by Zeynep who sadly passed away in July 2019 , but she left the company in good hands and the company is now thriving under the loving stewardship of her brother Yusuf and her husband Yunis. Hi and a big warm welcome to the blog, Yusuf 😊
Hello. I’m Yusuf Perens, co-owner of Galen Leather, a small family business based in Istanbul, Turkey. We handcraft beautiful leather goods and stationery.
What inspired the launch of Galen Leather?
Galen Leather was actually started by my late sister, Zeynep. She was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that could potentially take away her ability to speak. This made her reconsider her career in sales and look for alternative ways to work. After successfully undergoing treatment, she still lost her ability to speak for a year. Unable to continue in sales, she turned to her love of leather goods and launched an Etsy shop selling locally-made products. That was the beginning of Galen Leather
Have you, Zeynep and Yunus always had an interest in leatherwork/& stationery or did you have other career plans whilst growing up?
While we all appreciate beautiful craftsmanship, none of us specifically planned careers in leatherwork or stationery. However, we’ve always been a creative family, and when Zeynep needed to find a new path, her love for these products made perfect sense. I came on board later to help with product development and photography as the business grew.
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I’m interested in your brand name – Galen – why was that name specifically picked? Were there any other contenders?
We actually considered a number of names before choosing Galen. Galen was a famous Greek physician known for his emphasis on both reason and experience in medicine. We felt this connected well with our philosophy of creating beautiful, handcrafted products that are also functional and long-lasting.
I do so love a journal! What products are most popular amongst your customers at the moment?
We offer a wide range of leather goods and stationery, but our journals are consistently popular. Right now, our traveler’s notebooks and leather portfolios are doing particularly well. People appreciate the quality and craftsmanship that goes into each piece.
Do you have a favourite item from your collection?
Actually, the Writer’s Medic Bag holds a special place in my heart. In memory of our founder, Zeynep, who passed away in July 2019, this was her last design. After many months of work and tweaking, we’ve finally brought it to life and couldn’t be more proud of the final product! It embodies her love for beautiful, functional items and her spirit of creativity.
What are the main features a customer would expect from buying one of your products?
Customers can expect exceptional quality and craftsmanship when they purchase a Galen Leather product. We use only the finest vegetable-tanned full-grain leather and traditional techniques to create products that are both beautiful and functional. Our products are also built to last and become treasured companions.
Based in Istanbul, are your items available to purchase worldwide?
Yes, even though we’re based in Istanbul, we ship our products worldwide through our Shopify store. We want people everywhere to be able to experience the quality and beauty of Galen Leather goods.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
My style is fairly classic and timeless. I typically wear well-fitting jeans or chinos with a plain shirt or sweater. For shoes, I prefer leather boots or oxfords. Quality and comfort are important to me.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
I love to explore small, independent shops when I travel. These places often have unique and interesting items that you can’t find anywhere else. I also follow a few fountain pen brands online that I admire for their craftsmanship and design.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I’m always on the lookout for a well-made leather jacket. The perfect one would be timeless and stylish, something I could wear for years to come.
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc
Thank you so much for chatting to me, Yusuf – your products are delightful . All photographs have been published with kind permission of Galen Leather.
The “Man Bag” is currently experiencing a revival as a practical and useful item for the man about town. Menswear brand, Grams28, has just released its Sling Bag collection proving that not only that man bags are practical but are also a fashion statement. I spoke to Benjamin Chan, of Grams28 to find out more….Hi Benjamin and welcome …
Hi, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Benjamin, co-founder and principal designer at GRAMS28. I was born in Hong Kong but I travel often to the UK for work. I really enjoy my daily coffee(s), going on drives, and working on new designs. I’m definitely a night owl, but I try to make the most out of daytime too.
What inspired the launch of Grams28?
GRAMS28 is a brand of creations that I myself would enjoy, and that I think others would benefit from. I was looking for bags and accessories that were both luxurious and functional at the same time, and came up with almost nothing. I wanted to bridge the gap between luxury design and quality and practicality with GRAMS28, and this philosophy continues to fuel our new designs and product development.
Have you always had an interest in fashion designing or did you have other career plans whilst growing up?
Not necessarily fashion design, but I’ve always been invested in learning about and perfecting design. Growing up in an environment where I was exposed to concepts of architecture and product design at a young age, it always felt like a natural development for me. I think the final push that I had to grow into this role was discovering my own passion for creating something better than what already exists.
I’m interested in your brand name – Grams28 – why did you specifically pick that name? Were there any other contenders?
GRAMS28 comes from two elements, the first one being 21 Grams, a film. The name of the film comes from the idea that a soul weighs 21 grams, which we wished to incorporate since we believe that every thoughtfully crafted and handmade product that we offer has a soul. Each creation provides something unique to its owner. We also hope that our products will be able to accompany our customers throughout their days and prove useful 7 days a week – thus the additional 7, which adds up to GRAMS28. The number itself in our name was something we thought quite a lot about, so the other contenders were all variations on a similar theme. GRAMS28 comes from two elements, the first one being 21 Grams, a film. The name of the film comes from the idea that a soul weighs 21 grams, which we wished to incorporate since we believe that every thoughtfully crafted and handmade product that we offer has a soul. Each creation provides something unique to its owner. We also hope that our products will be able to accompany our customers throughout their days and prove useful 7 days a week – thus the additional 7, which adds up to GRAMS28. The number itself in our name was something we thought quite a lot about, so the other contenders were all variations on a similar theme.
Every product has a code embossed in white – is this just a trendy emblem or do the codes have some significance?
The codes are a distinctive part of our products – but more than that, it is part of our commitment to transparency and letting our customers know exactly what they are buying. Each code is made of three sets of numbers that corresponds to information about the material and origin of the product. We hope that through this, our buyers can feel at ease purchasing, using, and getting to know our creations.
The man bag has had a recent revival and you have quite a collection. What designs/ products are most popular amongst your customers at the moment? Do you have a favourite item from your collection?
The 157 Essential Sling has been a dark horse in our collection and has been garnering a lot of attention, especially from fashion enthusiasts. As for me, I’ve been really enjoying using our 132 Essential Case Pro. I’m really proud of this product, since it’s elegant in design and effective in organisation.
What are the main features a customer would expect from buying one of your man bags?
Since we deeply value the balance between aesthetics, design and function, customers can expect to find smart organisation in all of our bags. We also only choose the best quality materials available to us, which is why you’ll find that we only use full-grain leather sourced from Italy. Opposed to other types of leather like top-grain leather or even PU leather, full-grain leather is extremely durable and can last for many decades if handled with proper care.
Founded in Asia, are your items available to purchase worldwide?
Absolutely – we ship internationally from our independent online storefront. We’ve also recently launched a pop-up brick-and-mortar storefront in London in the UK, so locals are very welcome to come visit.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I’ve been wearing a lot of COS lately, they have a lot of great stylish yet versatile items. I also always carry my GRAMS28 backpack, which will absolutely be coming back to our lineup soon – if it hasn’t already by the time of this publication.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
That’s quite the difficult question – I have my eye on Club Monaco’s store at the moment. I also regularly browse the New Norm Magazine for new inspiration and ideas.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I always feel drawn to other up-and-coming brands that have a meaningful vision. I’m looking forward to getting something from GREATS, a Brooklyn-founded sneaker brand, soon. Their Royale collection is definitely on my wish list.
Boots or Shoes?
Why not both? Style is your unique expression.
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Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc
Check us out at grams28.com! Ships internationally, and we have a lifetime warranty on all our products.
Thank you Benjamin! What a lovely collection!
Linda x
All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Benjamin Chan (Grams28).
The rejection of fast fashion and the heightened awareness of sustainable clothing makes it no surprise that in 2023 crochet clothing has featured heavily on catwalks and in clothing brand collections. Handmade crochet clothing is the only handicraft that cannot be made on a machine, unlike knitting. There was a crochet boom in the 1960s too – the “granny square” came into vogue, as well as a huge trend for crocheted home ware. Sound familiar?
My husband’s gran was a big knitter and she also crocheted granny squares to make enormous throws for our family. They are treasured heirlooms now as unfortunately she died in May this year aged 97. The latest recipient of a “granny square” item lovingly created by gran was my grandson who had a blanket made, but I think it was more appreciated by my daughter in law. Our family throw has been with us a number of years and has featured in many blog photographs over the past 10 years …
Crochet clothing though. I had a crocheted top that I adored in the 1990s and it remained in my wardrobe until around 2007 when it snagged and unravelled and I decided to get rid. It was a camel colour and it was one of those tops that went with everything – an ideal wardrobe capsule item. The current dresses featured in stores at the moment are a mixture of plain crocheted styles alongside those in your face granny square numbers that look like gran’s throws!
The advantages of wearing crochet dresses are that they will keep you cool and comfortable. They are also sustainable – especially if made using organic cotton. The disadvantages – well, they are bulkier than usual summer dresses and crochet uses more yarn than the equivalent knitted fabric.
Joe Brown’s catalogue
So what underwear should you wear under a crochet dress? Well , wearing underwear that matches your skintone will give you a seamless look. Or you can opt for a camisole style slip dress either in skintone or the same colour as the crochet dress. A slip dress not only gives a streamlined look but is also lightweight and you shouldn’t feel overheated. If you are using your crochet dress as a beach cover up , then it really up to you if you want to wear a colour co ordinated swimsuit or not underneath. A crochet cover up dress will enable you to look smart enough to go from beach areas to your hotel room – especially with the new Spanish rules banning the wearing beachwear in public in areas away from beaches and pools.
Crochet dresses, pouffes, bags and accessories I like …. but I’m not quite sure if I like crochet “square” trousers….. however, on Etsy I did spot a digital crochet pattern to crochet some extremely cute black & white skull pattern trousers… they would look fab with a white bikini top – you’ll just need the talent to crochet them in the first place!
Lastly, I can’t let a crochet post go past without giving a quick mention of this adorable crochet animals wallpaper by Anne-Claire Petit, featuring crocheted animals on a cream crocheted background….
This week I’m featuring a brand – Handmade By Tinni – that is all about sustainability and joyful colours – jewellery and home decor signs using organic cotton rope and yarn. Let me introduce the lovely designer Paulomi Debnath onto the blog….
Hello, I’m Paulomi and I am a textile jewellery designer and the face behind Handmade by Tinni. I create colourful, bold pieces of designs that brings joy and inspire confidence. I am a coffee lover, passionate about jewellery (read obsessed!), slightly eccentric, a pretty good cook (Asian mainly and certified by my other half!) and a proud small independent business owner.
I was born in Kolkata, India, a colonial city with a rich heritage and history. Charming and extremely busy, my birth city holds a special place in my heart forever.When I set up my brand finally in 2020, I drew my design inspiration from the bright colours of nature, amazing places that I have travelled to over the years and most importantly from the rich heritage of India.I studied sales and marketing and started my career in hotel sales in India. I am passionate about travelling and have always found great pleasure in promoting hotels and destinations.
In 2004, I met the love of my life and in 2006, we got married in Kolkata. We both belong to this ‘City of Joy’ and very proud to have strong roots there. Soon, I joined my husband in London to start a new chapter of our journey together. With my experience in hotel sales, I was back in hotel sales management.
It has been a challenge – managing a creative business while working full time as a Senior Buyer, a wife and a mother of a 10-year-old boy (who always keeps me on my toes). You constantly need to learn to juggle a busy work & social life with loads of multitasking. But with constant support from my family, I always have been able to overcome that. When it has come to living my dream, I don’t want to resign into a life of missed callings and dreams.
My brand is all about sustainability and joyful colour. My vibrant, bold designs bring joy & inspire ethical living. I am based in London and make all my designs from my home studio.
What inspired the brand name of “Handmade ByTinni”? What made you decide to concentrate on textile jewellery?
Tinni is my nickname that my family lovingly call me. It is like my alternate personality – cheeky, full of fun and colourful!When I was searching for an ideal brand name, I really wanted it to represent my soul and my passion for Jewellery. AND…… I am totally addicted to jewellery. My mum often teases me, and says that I am building a secret jewellery museum. And being an Indian by origin, I am spoilt for choices. I am extremely proud of my eccentric collection which is a mix of vintage and contemporary design.
So, my brand name is my cheeky pet name and echoes that I design every piece of my jewellery home studio based in London. When I started Handmade By Tinni last year, I wasn’t even sure how far I could go with it, because everything was uncertain at the time. But I knew that I wanted a brand name that would mirror my passion and my hard work. My designs are handmade, and hence, it’s Handmade by Tinni.
I also launched my home décor designs a year back and they have been very popular too.
I love the Red Knotted Statement Cotton Necklace as well as the home decor signs. What items/colours are proving popular amongst your customers so far this season?
Thank you, Linda. That Red Knotted Necklace – Maya Necklace is one of my first designs and a all time favourite. The design is simple yet classic and very easy wear for all occasion. And not just in red, this necklace (and all others) is available in twenty-eight colours, which makes it popular as a gift too.
In terms of colour, currently I am seeing an increased demand for Mustard, Fuchsia, Turquoise and Emerald Green. These colours are very vibrant and add glamour to any outfit. So, a great choice if you want something new that is not Red or Black.
In terms of designs, I am so excited to see customers are increasingly embracing colours and experimentation. I am receiving more and more custom requests with design details, colours, shapes, and whole array of words when buying our custom word necklaces. I would forecast a lot more experimentation and adding a bit of glitz and glamour to classic designs. More and more customers are being open to statement pieces to show off their individual styles. This fashion forwardness really inspires me to create unique designs knowing there are accessory lovers who admire statement niche designs.
Being a small independent brand, customers are also feeling confidant in approaching the designer to commission a custom, unique design that they will treasure forever. I am blessed to make someone’s dream design for them!
Out of all your collection, do you have any favourites?
It is very hard to pick among all your creations as you put little bit of your soul in each of them. However, if I really must, I will choose the ‘Love’ word necklace.
This was the first design that really earned my place in our creative community and became my signature design. I have since created several custom word necklaces as I can make any word (4/5 letters max recommended) like your name or belief or fun words, into wearable pieces.
This is a unique piece of jewellery which is perfect to gift to a loved one. It makes a great valentine’s day gift, a Mother’s Day gift or a anniversary gift.
As you are based in London, are your products available to purchase overseas?
Absolutely. We can deliver worldwide. I would always recommend choosing tracked shipping when buying from international designer for additional peace of mind.
We are also stocked at various boutiques in Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, France, Italy and of course in UK.
It always gives me greatest pleasure if I am introduced to a jewellery lover from overseas. Just a little appreciation for social media here, as without that, many small designers like myself might not have achieved a bit of global recognition. My own Instagram is so colourful with stunning, inspiring posts from all over the world, makers and buyers combined. Just make me very happy to see so much love for small creative industry especially over last 2 years.
When designing jewellery to add to your collection, do you take into account your own tastes, your customer base, requests, or bits of all those?
When designing a new collection, I do not follow any rules. I am influenced by nature and colours around nature. I keep myself updated around the colour trends and design influences around the world like minimalistic or geometric and incorporate that in my designs. I do rely on Pantone colour trends and colour charts when considering new colour collections.
My custom designs are really a mixture of what the client envisioned and my creativity. It is so exciting to create someone’s dream design with a bit of my own twist.
What do you enjoy most about making textile jewellery? What was the hardest piece of jewellery to make or the most unusual request you have had?
There are some who would say you don’t choose the craft; the craft chooses you.
I love the whole look and feel of knotted jewellery but I am also very drawn to the art of repetition. I love the feel of knotting, the comfort of making the same movement over and over, and the oozy happiness when you create something with it. I take great pride in making modern wearable pieces of art using this traditional craft technique.
I’m self-taught in the art of rope knotting and I spent many days perfecting and learning the craft. Even today, I get excited about learning a new knotting technique, which I may or may not be able to use in my upcoming designs, but it is thrilling to do something new. The experimentation of mixing and matching different knots excites me too. Some of these techniques are ones I learned when I was trekking in the Himalayas.
Hardest piece of Jewellery – Without a doubt my cotton wrapped collection. This wrapping technique is time intensive and requires precision. Each piece is unique and timeless. The delicate craftmanship makes them really ‘hard to find’ jewellery pieces.
Most unusual request – I have designed plenty of custom designs and each are unique. From brand name to first name to their favourite word to special tangled designs, I have really done a spectrum of unusual designs. This particular designwas6 unusual as it challenged me to recreate a necklace design to a pair of anklets for a special customer. I had to carefully redesign to make it as close as to the original design they loved.
What are your top tips on looking after your Statement Textile Jewellery?
Very good question and I have a website section dedicated to product care.
Please treat your jewellery / accessories with care, whilst it is durable, handmade jewellery / accessory still needs love and care! So, look after it well & it will last a long time. • Avoid contact with water, oil, lotions, insect repellents & perfume
• Please store away from extreme heat, strong sunlight, water or high levels of moisture & try not to drop it!
• To keep your Textile jewellery shiny clean, always use a super soft cloth to get rid of any smears & smudges. A microfibre cloth, similar to the sort you get with your reading glasses is a good choice
• Jewellery with Magnetic Closures – Kindly open and close the magnetic clasps by holding the metal section only. Try not to pull the rope endings. They are glued and strong pull might unglue the magnets
. • Always ensure the cloth is clean, dust free & rub lightly to avoid losing the shape of the product. For more stubborn marks, a little bit of water or baby wipe should help
Avoid contact with body oils, and other chemicals, including household cleaners.
• Remove when sleeping, exercising, or doing other physically strenuous activities
• Do not use chemical jewellery cleaners.(
• Do not wash.
Storing jewellery whilst not in use:
• Kindly always store the necklaces flat when not in use to maintain shape. • Try to keep them away from children’s hands as the shape is written in calligraphy way and manhandling can ruin the letters and / or writing.
• Store your accessory in a cool dry place.
Your company has partnered with Ecologi. What does that involve?
When I began creating my statement jewellery, I knew that I had to do so sustainably. Protecting our planet is no longer an option, it’s essential. As a small business, I ensure I’m eco-conscious in every decision I make. I chose cotton as my main design medium as it is sustainable & bio-degradable, soft to wear and anti-allergic. My zero-waste collection ensures that every offcut is used so that I’m not wasting materials.Handmade By Tinni is also committed to sourcing materials ethically and continuing to find ways to reduce my business’s carbon footprint. One way we do this is by supporting Ecologi, a wonderful organisation dedicated to reforestation. Together with Ecologi, Handmade By Tinni enables the planting of 32 trees per month.
Growing up, did you always want to be a jewellery designer or did your aspirations lie elsewhere?
I am totally addicted to jewellery from early days! I designed and dressed up my own collection. My aspiration was always around jewellery and I wanted to become one as soon as I finished studies. However, I followed my second passion at that time and started working in travel industry.
I am a bohemian traveller at heart, and I have been very lucky to have travelled to many places over the years due to my work or simply holidays. Nothing inspires you more than the multitude of traditional art and craft, the people and textiles from different countries and cultures.
So, imagine my excitement when I could finally launch my own jewellery brand inspired by nature and the places that I have travelled over the year.
Could you explain your creative process?
I am a dreamer! I dream a design and then work my way to it. Ideas can hit me at any time, so I carry my small sketchbook with my everywhere. It’s full of scribbles and sketches of designs. I also keep an eye on popular colour trends (Pantone has a helpful library of colour palettes to experiment with). Once I have an idea, I play around with the material, colours, different knots and patterns to find the best combination to create a wearable piece – although some of my designs are so intricate, they are only for galleries and exhibitions.
I like to find a quiet corner and just get busy with my ropes and accessories. Some days it’s easy and I can make the final design in one go. However, there are days when I need to work longer and harder before I can transform that thought in my mind into a design. Some days, I must start again from scratch. I guess that’s the life of an artist! It’s the best feeling, though, when you see your idea coming to life exactly how you imagined it
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Hypothetically speaking, if you could nominate a famous person (dead or alive) to be the “Face of Handmade By Tinni” who would you pick to represent your brand and why?
I am a HUGE fan of Iris Apfel. Her trend setting eclectic style of layering bright colors and patterns while pairing oversized accessories together, especially her signature black glasses, just makes me supercharged and inspired. Every time I see an image of Iris, I find myself just ogling!
Given a chance, I would love to raid her wardrobe and just amass every accessory! (Iris Mam, if you are reading this blog, don’t judge me please. Many fashionistas have the same dream, believe me!)
So, it is only my dream to have Iris Apfel as the face of Handmade by Tinni.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
My brand reflects my personal style. Colourful, edgy, structured!
Work-wear – I am huge fan of vibrant colours paired with eternal classics like blue denim or pleated skirt. For a more polished look, I just pair my outfit with a cotton blazer. I own quite a few structured jackets in an array of colours.
Another look that I really love is printed dresses paired with jackets or blazers.
I love prints and abstract colour combination. Most of my clothes are handpicked and from good brands to ensure long shelf life.
Of course I always pair all my outfits with statement jewellery pieces.
Holiday Look – Floaty dresses, pair of classy shades, long beaded / tassel necklaces and dark lippy.
Indian wear – Due to my heritage, I am fortunate to own a huge collection of handloom sarees and Indian dresses. They are handcrafted, some are handstitched all over the body and just purely stunning. I dress up quite often when attending cultural events.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites? (Apart from your own!)
I am a huge fan of Kate Spade New York and Desigual. I have a weakness towards designer bags, and I celebrate my big wins with a fancy purse few times. I have a Desigual coat, and it is a head turner! Whenever I wear that, I get compliments, and everyone wants to know where I got it from. Ted Baker – OMG! I love their design essence and own quite a few dresses, skirts, tops etc. Just love the simple, classic yet colourful designs.
Is the rest of your personal jewellery collection is as bold and colourful as your work?
I have always been an avid collector of antique and hand-crafted jewellery. Here are some of the pieces from my own collection that are truly treasured and valued antiques. They hold very dear memories for me…
Pic 1: Gifted on my wedding by my Grandmother-in-law, who received this as a wedding gift from her mother-in-law. This armlet is at least 100 years. It is one of my treasured vintage pieces. I am truly humbled to own it.
Pic 2: Another weird-shaped silver piece! This was part of an elaborate Indian anklet. I only received this part and wear it as a choker. Thankfully, I don’t have thick neck!
Pic 3: This was a gift from my mother-in-law. The armlet belonged to her great grandmother. The main piece of the earring is a bit bent as it is part of an armlet (I only got them as those pieces) and I then designed it as a earring pair.
Pic 4: This was an heirloom hair accessory used by aristocratic ladies in a traditional Indian household. I transformed it into a statement neckpiece.
Pic 5: An original piece of antique Afghan jewellery, I bought this necklace and anklet set on a trip to Dubai, from a little shop in the souk. I absolutely love this piece – it’s entirely unique and was very hard to find.
Pic 6: Look at this riot of colours! This awesome piece is from Sorrento in Italy. It features original Italian semi-precious stones and is very heavy but such a head-turner.
Pic 7: An amazing piece given to me from my sister who bought it from a local designer in my hometown of Kolkata. I love the colours and simplicity.
Pic 8: This is another gift from my sister and was chosen by my little boy. My darling sister took him to a jewellery exhibition and apparently, he wouldn’t leave until my sister bought this necklace for his mumma. He knows I would LOVE it.
Pic 9: This is pure silver jhumka. It is extremely dear to me, although it’s quite heavy and not for the faint hearted! Gifted by my Ma.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I have spotted a Kate Spade quilted bag and that is definitely on my shopping list. Also, I am eying the Kurt Geiger rainbow bag that is a stunning showstopper.
Boots or Shoes?
It used to be shoes but slowly and steadily I am moving away from pointy heels, stilettos and replacing them with comfy, stylish boots or flat slip-ons.I own a pair of Kate Spade sparkly boots and a pair of Mulberry flats. Really comfortable and awesome style quotient. Love them both.
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Add a little bit of ” Ooh La La” to your jewellery collection, as my guest this week is London based but originally from France – Catherine Marche Jewellery. Her jewellery is desirable with a French chic twist that simply oozes style. Without further ado, let’s say hello to the lovely Catherine…
Bonjour ! I am Catherine Marche. I love creating precious little things. I have been described as an ebullient, fun, passionate and elegant person and also as “very French”. Whatever that means, I take it as a compliment! I have been an expat most of my life. Growing up in 14 different houses and 3 countries. I feel like an eternal globe trotter, I love discovering new places, meeting new people, helping my friends, listening and playing music, dancing and eating good food.
I feel happiest when near turquoise waters, bright blue sky, palm trees and white sand. I also love “sports de glisse” i.e. ski, waterski, snowboard, ice skating, roller skating, surfing …
What inspired the setting up of “Catherine Marche Designs”?
I fell into it by chance. During a trip to Alderney, one of my friends purchased a set of jewellery pliers as she was thinking of enrolling into a class. I got one too and enrolled into a class on my return to London. Thinking about it, jewellery has always been part of my life. I used to make tiny necklaces for my dolls and designed my 1st gold piece when was 9, as my mother wanted my input for my communion cross. Thereafter, I used to purchase or commission jewellery wherever I went on holiday as a memento. I still have earrings from Carnaby Street I purchased on a school trip aged 11.
I guess I will always be fascinated by the world of colours, shapes and the way they make you feel. Jewellery is a great medium to express your creativity freely. Furthermore, jewels tell stories and are tokens used to represent emotional milestones. I realise I love the way jewellery spreads joy and love around.
I do adore your Keshi Pearls Luxurious Cuff and the Queen Of The Sea Cultured Freshwater Pearls Bracelet. What items are proving popular amongst your customers so far this season?
The Keshi pearls are quite popular indeed. This season, my clients have also loved the mini gold stacking rings, which they mix with colourful gemstones cocktail rings, the dotty collection and statement sculptural rings.
Out of all your collection, do you have any favourites ?
My favourites keep changing. At the moment, I am very fondof the Calypso ring with a muted orange spessartite garnet and a set of 18ct gold stacking rings. I am also layering several talisman necklaces on chains of different lengths and wear long gold earrings with carnelian. Seems I need a pep of colour to go through winter. I admit I like mixing them with items from my personal collection: creations by other designers, gifts from family and friends, jewellery picked up during trips abroad…
As you are based in London, are your products available to purchase overseas?
Yes indeed. I have a few online and brick and mortar stockists in France, USA, and Australia.
Thankfully, international clients are able to indulge online from my website as I do ship to many places around the world.
When designing jewellery to add to your collection, do you take into account your own tastes, your customer base, requests, traditional pieces, or bits of all those?
It does depend on the piece. I have to say bits of all those infused with my design flair. When I have a commission, what matters most is the person who is going to wear it. His or her input will fuel the design. For me, it has to complete them and they must enjoy wearing it with pleasure. I am always anxious when a client opens their little box to discover what I created for them. It is so fulfilling. I must say it might be one of my favourite moment in the process, when my client discovers the creation and is overwhelmed with emotions. I also receive lovely letters and photos which fill my heart with joy and keep me going. I am very grateful.
I know that you are an eco- responsible jewellery designer, working with recycled 18k gold, 22k gold, sterling silver, natural gemstones and pearls. You also enjoy remodelling old jewellery. What was the hardest piece of jewellery to make or the most unusual request you have had?
One of the trickiest piece is jewellery encompassing several techniques. For example, I made a hinged bangle which also features diamonds and rubies and 24K gold Keum Boh. It is textured with photo etching and has lovely fish details. Many hours of labour were involved in its fabrication.
Most unusual… I had a client who came with a beautiful piece of wood charged with meaning, which I turned into a jewel for his dulcinée. I quite enjoy the special relationship with my clients around creating something special and when the commissioning process takes me beyond the realms of my usual daily routine.
If you could go anywhere in the world for inspiration to create a new collection, where would you go and why?
I think I‘d like to go to India. There is so much ancient art, palaces, colours and history there. I have met and worked with so many people from India in the past who told me wonderful tales about their country and regaled me with stunning photos of their world. I am definitely enthralled and willing to visit it myself. Added bonuses: The food is delicious, the weather is amazing and it is a treasure trove for gemstones too.
I guess it will have to be in a few years once the pandemic is over (or has calmed down) and travelling feels safe again.
As you are originally from France, now based in London -have you noticed any differences in jewellery tastes between France and the UK?
It seems to me that people in France wear more gold and that silver is sometimes considered like costume jewellery (less precious). Children also wear gold. It is common to gift babies a gold medal or a name tag bracelet and offer children gold jewellery as different milestones. It is also quite traditional for a mother in law to welcome her daughter in law with heirloom jewellery or to offer, for example, a pearl necklace when there is a new baby.
Most people will say that gold below 18ct is not even gold as we have been used to 18ct and legally anything under was not able to be labelled gold.
One thing I have also noticed is that women in France definitely indulge in more impulse self-purchase than in the UK.
When French women like something, they do not need any justification or their friends or husband’s opinion to buy it. French women enjoy looking stylish and wearing items they hunt down and will not see on anyone else. They love using their hard earned cash to indulge in precious little things for themselves and people they love and are going to enjoy life on their terms as much as possible.
Growing up, did you always want to be a jewellery designer or did your aspirations lie elsewhere?
As most children, my aspirations have been changing thought the years. When I was little and Claude Francois and Karen Cheryl were all the rage, I wanted to be a dancer and singer. Hopefully a Clodette. Later on, I wanted to be a school teacher in maths and drawing. (did both). In fact, I ended up studying computer science, maths and physics and worked many years as an IT consultant for international companies. I was always inspired by arts and also studied arts and music in parallel. Some of my art is in private and public collections and I still enjoy playing a bit of saxophone.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
Oh la la! I am not sure I have a definite normal… I can be a bit unconventional. I take fashion like a chameleon, I embrace change.
I love wearing vintage dresses, especially in summer when I can wear bright colourful fabrics in the sunshine. Thinking of a big flower power print dress? I have a few. 60s clothes? yep. Lamé dresses for the evening too. I grew up watching Bewitched and loved their fashion. In the winter, my main thing is being warm. I will layer silk, cachemire, wool, tweeds. I love combining them with long woollen trousers, Aline woollen skirts and boots. You will always see me with hat, scarf and gloves. And either woollen or fur coat.
When I was pregnant, I definitely wanted to be able to close my coat on my bump. I tried a few coats but being tall, they did not fit me well (sleeves are usually too short). I ended up at a French fur factory designing and commissioning a special shearling coat made to my specifications. It has extra extra long sleeves and is super long too, almost touching the floor. I still enjoy wearing it. So warm, comfy, soft and really just one made for me. Makes me feel ecstatic when I find and wear something special; Especially when it is one of a kind.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites? (Apart from your own!)
Since a girlfriend introduced me to thrift stores when I was a student, there has been no going back. I love American thrift stores. Especially the ones in Florida where retired old ladies will sell their amazing wares. Here, I like shopping in charity shops too. It is fabulous to be able to give another life to garments which will not end up in landfills and knowing that I do not contribute to fast fashion is a good feeling. For shoes, I love LK Bennett. For classic pieces, it can be tricky as I have to read every label to ensure there are no (or few) synthetics involved and the brands need to fit my tall stature. Some of the brands I favour are Hobbs, Max Mara, Calvin Klein, LK Bennett, Roland Mouret… Some brands make me dream like Oscar de la Renta. For special items, I like the website 1stdibds.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
Ooh, my list. It is ever expanding. I hope my husband is not reading this. He would love for my wardrobe to be smaller.
A very long, soft and luxurious bootleg type cotton velvet pair of trousers. Being a 36 in seam leggy woman, it happens not to be an easy hunt as I have ruled polyester out.
I also like shopping second hand. Definitely the best to ensure we help to safeguard the environment and for not seeing similar clothes on other people.
French navy style wool sweater and trousers (+ very necessary navy handbag of course), vintage Pucci silk top, another Hermes square, something feathery, a Westwood bustier dress or top…
Although I admit to having more than 50 pairs of shoes (ahem), there are always new things to add on to my little collection; for example: Some raffia and leather summer sandals, preferably with some shells, a pair of zebra print pony leather flats, tan leather square-ish toe pumps with a 60s vibe…
Boots or Shoes?
Oh ! Do I really have to choose? In a way, I should say both. My wardrobe has many more shoes than boots. However, with the unpredictable weather we have in London, I realise I am wearing boots more often than shoes. I am sometimes going around in boots with a pair of shoes (usually a rather delicate, heeled leather affair) in my rather large handbag, doing a swift exchange when coming out of the tube.
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Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Catherine Marche Designs.
Hoping to tempt you and connect with you, do get in touch, I love a little talk about fashion, jewellery and style.
Merci beaucoup to you Catherine for chatting about your jewellery and your love for fashion & shoes! I absolutely adore your fashion & shoe choices (as well as your jewellery, of course!)
Linda x
All photographs have been published with kind permission of Catherine Marche.
What do you get when you cross essential oil scents with jewellery? Perfino, of course! Perfino is an innovative natural scent jewellery brand that combines expertly blended, 100% natural pure essential oils with exquisite jewellery. Intrigued? I caught up with founder Kim Brookes to find out more. Hi Kim and welcome…
Hello! My name is Kim, founder of Perfino natural scent jewellery and a natural fragrance obsessive. It’s on the gentler end of addiction but I find it hard to walk past a flower without putting my nose in it and just love the smells of nature.
What inspired the setting up of “Perfino”?
I was always a big fan of perfume until I realised how harmful it can be.
Most perfumes are made of mass-produced synthetic chemicals. It may call itself rose but it won’t have any rose in it. In fact, you won’t know what is in it as ingredients are not disclosed. It seems strange that we are so careful what we put in our bodies but pay little attention to the synthetic chemicals we put on our bodies, some of which can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
So, I looked for a new way to wear natural fragrance so we could still enjoy great scents without compromising our bodies. I worked with some incredible jewellery artisans to find the perfect way to encapsulate natural essential oil blends into jewellery in a sustainable way,and immersed myself in the blending of natural essential oils, until I found the solution, which is Perfino.
I love the idea of natural scent jewellery – wearing scent all day without chemicals touching your skin! Let’s get down to the basics – what does the jewellery set comprise of and where do you put the essential oils?
The set includes a recycled solid silver or gold vermeil necklace, six super absorbent lava stones straight from mother earth, and 10ml of pure natural essential oil which has been blended to provide a fabulous scent. You simply add a drop of the oil to the stone which sits inside the necklace, close it, and wear it. Our essential oil blends give out a much gentler and natural fragrance than perfume, and one that can last all day long. The scent is gentle, discreet, and for the wearer’s own personal enjoyment.
Out of all your essential oils collection, do you have any favourites? What are the popular scents amongst your customers?
My personal favourite is “…and breathe” as it is led by rose absolute, a gorgeous but very precious oil. It takes around 10,000 roses to produce a teaspoon of rose absolute, which I have blended with ingredients which compliment this incredible fragrance.
My customers really love “…deep love”, possibly as it has some wonderful neroli oil in there making it quite romantic and dreamy. It’s very popular as a gift for loved ones as it says it all.
As you are based in the UK, are your products available to purchase overseas?
Yes, we are based in the Somerset but we sell all over the world and have had orders from San Francisco to the Seychelles as there’s really nothing quite like Perfino out there.
A couple of hypothetical questions now! Firstly, if you could go anywhere in the world for inspiration to create a new collection or to capture a new fragrance, where would you goand why?
That’s a tricky one as the essential oils come from all over the world, often in very exotic sounding locations but ones where the harvesting provides badly needed fair trade income to the agricultural workers or pickers. I would love to go to deepest darkest Brazil where they continue to discover new plants and fragrances, and where there is a growing appreciation of how these should be protected.
Secondly, which famous lady would you pick to be the “Face” Of Perfino and why?
Well, like Perfino she’d have to have a cool and subtle style and be a force for good …so I’d pick the Emma Watson, a truly fragrant woman of substance.
Growing up, did you always want to be a jewellery designer or did your career aspirations lie elsewhere?
As a child I loved fabrics and in my dream other life I might have been a fashion or textile designer. I made clothes for my teddy, then myself, and then my kids, but for jewellery design I have been able to spot talent in others rather than being the talent myself!
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I have a mania for natural fabrics particularly linens and silks, and comfort – so anything that hangs well with a pop of colour, and a lovely scented necklace of course! As for shoes, I just adore Superga, but cannot resist a rubber fleece lined Tretorn Chelsea boot, whatever the weather.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites? (Apart from your own!)
I am a big fan of Ebay as it is such a great way to recycle, and many items are brand new. I enjoy Sezanefor great French style, and am in heaven immersed in any far away market.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
A huge warm coat for immersing myself in after wild swimming which I am dabbling in but not yet convinced…and a new pair of Tretorns.
Boots or Shoes? ( & Why?)
Shoes – boots make me think of winter and I am definitely a summer person
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Football season has started in the UK – soccer for my US friends – and if you are or you have a football fan or two in your life, football memorabilia such as a mug, print, book, is an ideal solution for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries or “Just Because”. Official football merchandiser, Glamorous Gifts, have a fabulous range of gifts from all the teams in all the Leagues … and I’m chatting to David, founder of Glamorous Gifts, about his business and his love of football. Hi David!
Hi, I’m David and I live in Leyland, Lancashire (unfortunately) with my wife and my two sons, aged 11 and 8.
What inspired the founding of your company, Glamorous Gifts?
I was inspired into setting up Glamorous Gifts as I really wanted to run my own business. I also felt that I hadn’t really used my knowledge in computing that I’d gained at university so it was a chance to put those skills to use in building and maintaining a website. It’s also nice to be self-employed, though I do miss a regular salary and I hardly ever get a day off!
Although you sell a variety of gifts, you are also an approved retailer of Official Licenced Football Club memorabilia. What is currently the most popular type of football memorabilia and/or, dare I ask, the most popular football team?
We do sell a variety of gifts, but our speciality is that we are an approved retailer for Official Licenced Football Club memorabilia. This means that we are one of only a small number of retailers that have products featuring the official club badges and photos. Our mugs are the most popular product and there are many different designs. But we also see that our framed prints are popular as they make such unique presents for the recipient. We have all the top football clubs, though of course the big names such as Manchester United, Liverpool etc are the most sought after.
I’m a Tottenham Hotspur fan, my husband & youngest sons support Ipswich. What’s your favourite football team?
I’m a Liverpool fan, so I’m used to suffering and pain! It was a difficult slog for the most part of the last 30 years until things got much better last year with several trophies. Sadly, this season has seen a return to a more familiar pattern.
Can the football products be customised like your other gifts?
All our personalised football products can be customised. Most can have a name added of course, but we also have many products where the recipient’s name and a chosen number appears on the teams’ shirt alongside the other real players in the dressing room or being held up by the teams’ manager. We also have a large range of non-personalised official merchandise.
Do you cover other sporting memorabilia apart from football?
We have a small range of rugby league clubs merchandise but we are hoping to expand this and other sports in the future.
When deciding gifts to add to your collections, do you select by what has proved popular with other gift outlets, current trends, customer requests, personal preferences or all of those things?
We occasionally add new product designs, based on trends and events, such as when a team has just won a trophy (so no new Liverpool FC products recently sadly!)
As Glamorous Gifts is based in the UK, are your products on the website available to purchase & ship worldwide?
Glamorous Gifts is based in the UK, where all the products are shipped from. At the current time we are not shipping abroad due to brexit uncertainties and delays caused by the current global situation. We will be looking to do this again once things have settled down.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
For me personally, I find I’m starting to settle into a typical middle aged fashion sense where I basically live in jeans the whole time and wear something as comfy as possible. No skin-tight clothing for me thank you!
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
I typically shop at the likes of Next, Topman, Burton etc
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
The next thing on my clothes wish list, is probably yet another pair of jeans!
Boots or Shoes?
I wear my trusty brown or black shoes pretty much everywhere, though summer gives me a chance to break out the Converse’s !
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