Mannin Studio

Top of my Christmas wish list is a gold chain, a serious gold chain........ and on the top of that list is this chain by Mannin Studio which comes apart to create a separate chain and bracelet

One day last year I was flicking through American Vogue when this incredible piece of jewellry caught my eye.

 

Imagine my surprise when, on continued reading I discovered it was made by a very good friend who had re-located to LA. We had lost touch and I was thrilled to see the incredible things Suzanne was doing and also that I had a way to contact her again.

The ethos of Mannin Studio is entirely sustainable. There are two collections "Classic" which is made entirely using recycled clean gold and "Signature"  which is made using antique and heirloom pieces restructured to become modern heritage pieces.

Here are a few of my favourite pieces.

Top of the pile this carved bogwood cameo from the Signature collection dated 1870 on victorian bead chain.

Love the juxtaposition of the soft bog oak with the little gold beads

 

Then for my ears these gold and jet bead earrings also from the Signature collection, see the little fob closures, beautiful.

This handcarved horn, from 1870 bracelet in my stocking, yes please!

Or this recycled 18K gold, 20 inch chain from the Classic collection

Everyone is talking about "Investment pieces" and you can't get much more "Investment" than this. Pieces that have a history and a future.

Mannin Studio Jewelry is stocked in Ikram, Chicago, Barneys, New York and  Roseark in west Hollywood

Luckily, there is an online shop coming soon.

All Images Mannin Studio

Fred Shand at Anthropologie

photo from anhropologie

Back in 1994 the World Cup was on and I was in a bar on 8th Street in the East Village in NY watching Ireland play, as was every other Irish person I knew. I don't remember if we won or not, but what I do remember is, it was the first Time I met Fred Shand. We were both textile designers transported from our Homelands and became fast friends. We lived, laughed and loved a lot in NYC before both returning to our respective Countries. Now 15 years later and I am in Ireland with 3 children and Fred is living in her native London.

She recently launched her first collection of Homewares for Anthropologie. I absolutely think they are just so beautiful.

photos from anthropologie

The colour palette is coral, black, yellow and ecru. To me the collection is a little bit Eastern with a big splash of India and a good smattering of modern edge.

What you cannot see from these photos is the details in the pieces. The Zig Zag cushion above right is actually appliqued ribbon with a little trim of printed silk. The pattern on the left cushion is made from lots of tiny stitches.

 

The paisley pattern in the cushion above is again made from black stitches and the coral pattern on the left is appliqued cotton tape.

 

For the ultimate experience I would go for the quilted pillow shams and bed cover.

Fred kindly sent me some images of the pieces in her own apartment.

photo by Fred Shand

I just adore it juxtasposed with the Turquoise stripe in the window blind.

photo by Fred Shand

And here is a peek at her mantelpiece. You can spot the colour references from the collection, the coral of the eggs, the shots of black and yellow.

photo by Fred Shand

For more pictures and a better view of the details go to the Anthropologie website.

I believe the collection is growing so watch out for more pieces in Spring 2010.

Eilis Boyle

 click on images to enlarge

I need to say Thank You to my friend  Eilis Boyle  who recently used my Florica headpieces and belts in this dreamy shoot.

Eilis' clothes are completely elegant and timeless and each one is so beautifully made with french seams and silk linings they not only look good but feel good to wear too ( I speak from experience)

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If you are in the Dublin area you must visit her shop BOW in Powerscourt Townhouse. BOW is a venture between  Eilis and 3 other designers Matt Doody, Momuse jewelry and Wendy's Wardrobe.

Check out Eilis' lovely blog as well Silent Storyteller