A Sugar High without the Calories

Lucy Folk is an Australia jewellery designer who considers herself to be a foodie and rather than host a party with food, she puts all of that energy into her jewellery collections. Her current collection "Sugar" has just been released with a whole slew of great photos I just had to share!

Campaign for the "Sugar" Collection by Lucy Folk 

Exclusive Interview: 10 Questions with Jane Mooney of Parisi Jewellery

1. Jane 101: Name/Age/Location

Full name: Jane Louise Mooney, 36 years old, based in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

2. When and why did you start to design jewellery?

I started designing and making jewellery a couple of years ago. I was struggling to find pieces that were 'just right' in terms of look, size and proportions. I'm from a design background, but I taught myself goldsmithing, I just bought some basic equipment and started from there! 

3.Do you have any pets and what are their names?

I have a very old (nearly 19!) tortoiseshell cat called Millie. She likes to keep me company in the studio when I'm working and she's a regular star on our Instagram feed.

4. What inspired you/where does your inspiration come from?

I'm inspired by the shapes that occur in nature. I love to see the patterns within gemstones and try to work with the natural geometries to produce interesting and wearable pieces. 

5. Where do you see your company going in five years?

I would love to show at London Fashion Week in the designer showrooms and take the brand global. My vision is for Parisi Jewellery to be the 'go to' brand for chic, covetable pieces that have and edge to them.

6. What do you think of the accessories market at this point in time?

I think it's a great period for accessories at the moment, particularly fine jewellery. Precious jewels are a superb investment and there's a real enthusiasm for irreverent pieces that subvert the idea of what fine jewellery should be.

7. If you could have one person wear your jewellery who would it be and why?

I would LOVE for Sarah Jessica Parker to wear my pieces. I think she has such grace and elegance and is the epitome of chic.

8. What music do you listen to while in the design studio and out and about your daily life?

I do love all sorts of music, but in the studio I watch TV box sets! They just play in the background while I'm working. I am a bit of an eighties fan, and my boyfriend makes me amazing playlists that I have on my iPod when I go running.

9. Where did your fascination with the universe and space come from?

I've always loved astronomy and geology, I am a real geek at heart! I think it's amazing that the vast majority of the elements are forged in the heat of an exploding star, the gold in the metal work and the carbon in the diamonds is made from star stuff. I wanted to design a collection using this as inspiration and the Elements Collection was born.

10. What are three items you can't live without?

              iPhone
                      jewellery bench
                               Oribe Hair Conditioner

Website: http://www.parisijewellery.co.uk/
Facebook: /parisijewellery
Twitter: @parisijewellery
Instagram: @parisijewellery

Jewellery with a Purpose: the World of Simon Harrison

Cara Delevingne in Vogue Magazine Russia September 2012 wearing the Simon Harrison Aquitaine Necklace

Simon Harrison may not at first ring any bells but perhaps names like Ted Baker, Vivienne Westwood, and Karen Millen are ones that you are more familiar with. If there is only one thing you take away from this entire piece let it be that the world of costume jewellery has never been in better hands than it is with the genius that is Simon Harrison. 

You know the feeling you get when you watch Project Runway and you get to see the garments from beginning to end: the moment they sketch a beautiful design, nail it when they pick the perfect fabric at MOOD, and then send a piece of art down the runway? I got to experience that first hand when I was invited to walk around the Simon Harrison HQ and I'm telling you, I've never been so inspired in my life.

“Simon Harrison’s deepest motivation and enjoyment of jewellery, he says, is intuitive and archetypal; not so very different from primitive man’s impulse to wear a beautiful shell around his neck. Jewellery, he believes, should be life-enhancing: an expression of personality.”

Chloris Tortoiseshell Cream Bangle, inspired by Ovid

A good sign of delicate craftsmanship will always stand out in a piece and it is what I think always makes a piece of jewellery so unique and usually is the reason why I'll buy it. This is what really spoke to me about all of the pieces I saw while visiting the showroom. Each had the most unique details and every piece was calling for me to pick up, try on, play with, and dress up! The other tell-a-tale sign of a quality piece of costume jewellery is the weight, yes I know we are living in a time of delicate necklaces and bracelets but these are costume pieces made to help you make a grand entrance at your next party so believe me when I say these pieces carry some serious weight (which is a good thing). Hand sculpted glass eyes on frog pins and masks are just one of the unique touches that make the pieces true works of art. Each piece felt luxurious and as if it was meant to be worn on a runway, in an editorial, or at a gala. Tres chic! 

Romeo & Juliet 3 Row Pearl Necklace 

I was very lucky to see such amazing pieces, each more beautiful then the next, however it was the stories behind each which really stayed with me after I left the showroom. Inspiration does comes from everywhere and there were tons of great muses from Greek mythology, Shakespeare, and Simon's youth. 

Perhaps one of the standout collections for me was the Romeo and Juliet line. A story I've loved since I was young myself, I was immediately drawn to the pieces and imagined myself wearing the beautiful necklaces around Verona. This is the beauty of each piece: they have the ability to transport you when you see them. That is what I believe true artistry is: these artists have the ability to create pieces that transcend this realm and help you escape from the norm. 






Social Simon:
Twitter: @SimonHarrisonUK
Pinterest: Simon Harrison Jewellery 
Facebook: Simon Harrison Jewellery 
Instagram: SimonHarrisonUK

Vintage Find of the Week: 1960s Scalloped Necklace

Vintage Scalloped Necklace from the 1960s 

This beautiful scalloped necklace features stunning aurora borealis rhinestones set in rose gold. This amazing piece is 15 1/2" long and is currently available here or in store at Magwood for $295!

Wedding Gift Idea: The Calendar Bracelet from Dalla Nonna

Your best friend is getting married and you have absolutely no idea what to get her as a gift to commemorate this amazing day. I think I found the perfect piece for any bride-to-be that she can wear year after year: the Calendar Bracelet from Dalla Nonna.

It comes in three different metals: silver ($225), gold ($350), and rose gold ($360), and you pick a beautiful stone to place on the day of the wedding!

It looks absolutely beautiful on, as seen on Brie Bella:

You can even rock it on a necklace a la Hilary Duff:

Must Have: The Romy Necklace from Bettyray

This resin and crystal flower statement necklace is truly one of a kind. The colour is subtle enough that it will go with everything but creates enough of a statement to get you noticed. My advice? Pair with a neon collar necklace and get one of these before they are gone!

Shop: Bettyray $50, available here 

Arm and Ring Party

Rings: BCBG Hamsa Hand, Future of Frances Watson Cat Ring, Three Fates Triangle Ring

Bracelets: EXPRESS Horoscope Bangle, Folli Follie Bracelet, BCBG Evil Eye + Hamsa Bangle

Vintage Find of the Week: 1980s Diamond Gold Earrings

This stunning set of 18kt yellow gold estate earrings are from the 1980s but could easily be found today in Holt Renfrew and resemble the styles seen in Alexis Bittar. The earrings are set with 30 brilliant cut round diamonds totaling approximately 1.35 carats.

Currently selling for $2,550. Yes, you absolutely need them, shop here.

Trend Alert: Embellished Shoulders are the New Statement Pieces

Thanks to the new H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection it is safe to say that the next big thing in statement jewellery will be the embellished shoulder piece.  The entire collection hits stores April 10th and might be the best collection to date.

What do you think?