18.06.2015 | Fashion | BY: Mariella Agapiou
Shoreditch’s Redchurch Street is known for it’s creative spirit and undeniable sense of style. The latest addition to the now infamous strip of road is The Basics Store, a concept curated by London based designer Marina Guergova.
Set out to provide life’s everyday essentials, the month long pop-up houses Guergova’s own silkwear brand, Marina London, along with independent labels. Expect luxe knitwear from Blake LDN, contemporary footwear from Dear Frances, leather bags and accessories from Danielle Foster, jewellery from Clarice Price Thomas and Jessie Harris, as well as a selection of unique fragrances from the Intertrade Group.
As well as this, the store will also play host to a series of summer events and talks from the likes of The Pressery and Qnola, and you’ll also find music during their Acoustic Bench Sessions, when musicians will busk on the beach out front.
The current timetable looks as follows…
Saturday, 20th June – Qnola (healthy popped quinoa granola) talk & event – 10.45am
Thursday, 2nd July – Poke (Hawaiian raw health bowls) evening food event – 5pm-8.30pm
Saturday, 4th July – The Pressery (almond milks) talk & event – 10.30am
Friday, 10th July – SPOON (natural granola) talk & event – 10.30am
Saturday, 11th July – The Hardihood (raw, superfood confectionery) talk & event – 10.45am
The Basic Store is open daily until July 13th at 30a Redchurch Street, London, E1 6JL.
thebasicsstore.com
Tags: Blake LDN, Clarice Price Thomas, Danielle Foster, Dear Frances, Intertrade Group, Jessie Harris, Marina London, Redchurch St
12.11.2014 | Fashion | BY: Mariella Agapiou
It was the loss of her favourite gold necklace that caused Erin O’Connor to want to open her own store. Realising first hand just how attached to jewellery we are – how they hold such sentimental value – she knew what she wanted to do. Nearly one year later, Pärla is becoming the go-to boutique for contemporary, hand-made jewellery.
“I love good quality, simple design with clean shapes and silhouettes, and how jewellery can really bring that to life,” states Erin as we sit down to talk all things Pärla. This scandi sensibility is very clear to see when you walk into the Boxpark store, “It’s something I’m very passionate about, working with products and people I love.” When buying stock, her considered approach leans towards versatility, picking pieces that can be interpreted in different ways. The name Pärla reflects this; not only does it mean pearl in Swedish, but it can also be translated to mean gem or jewel too.
The eight designers she represents are all establishing themselves, and Erin has created a close-nit family and a place for them to support each other. What about other brands on her radar? “Acne and Celine; I love the cuffs they’ve created this season. And Moxham, I think [Maddie] is very talented, her pieces are so cool. Like V Jewellery and Jessie Harris, you can style it in your own way” As for the high-end brands, we’ll have to wait, as accessibility is key for Pärla. “Whether you’ve a gap in your wardrobe or looking for a gift, tell me your budget and I’ll find you something.”
It’s this personal shopping service that makes Erin, and her boutique, stand out. Her close relationship with the designers allows her to go the extra mile for those wanting to purchase the perfect little something. Maybe the chain on a necklace is too long, perhaps you’d like a certain ring in silver not gold, or you’d like something engraved. All these little changes are possible at Pärla. As is opening the store at 8am to try on jewels on your way to work, “whatever you need – I’ll sort it.”
We couldn’t leave without talking current trends, and Erin confirmed our suspicions, chokers are the thing. Has her personal style changed since surrounding herself with these great designers and brands? “I’m a lot more open minded when it comes to jewellery now. I used to only wear gold, now I love to mix and match. I’ll even pick my jewellery before I pick my outfit now.” And what about that one piece, the one you’d wear if you could only wear one forever? “That’s a tough one, but I’d wear my [V Jewellery] Spine Ring forever. It’s so easy to wear and goes with everything.”
parlaonline.com
Tags: Jessie Harris, jewellery, Moxham, Pärla, V Jewellery
02.07.2014 | Blog | BY: Mariella Agapiou
When Twin visited Fashion Sunday at Oval Space recently, we fell for Jessie Harris’s jewellery designs. Even more so when she shed light on her most recent collaboration with another Twin favourite, Danielle Foster. Having met last summer, the two designers recognised similarities in each others design ethos, both favouring strong, clean shapes and a minimal, modern aesthetic. “Danielle was really interested in working on some custom bag hardware, which was the starting point and a perfect bridge between our different areas of design,” stated Jessie. “From there we discussed creating a small jewellery collection that followed on from and reflected the shapes of the hardware.”
With a focus on clutch bags with solid brass clasps, in either matte black, mock crock or an inky blue and black leather, the D – ring shape was then echoed on to earring and rings: “We wanted to keep the jewellery element of the collaboration really cohesive and concise which was a really interesting challenge as I’ve never worked on a jewellery collection of only 4 key styles before.” Each piece is available in either yellow gold or silver, adding some diversity and allowing the designs to be worn as single, statement pieces or even stacked and combined for a different look.
Released in Autumn, we predict this collaboration will be a big hit.
Tags: AW14, Danielle Foster, Jessie Harris, jewellery