Eclectic Jewelry and Fashion

Lucilla Giovanninetti’s textile jewelry.

Bracelet

Grand Tour necklace

Fabric bracelet

Water Lily bracelet

Cufflink

Arrotola Bag

Foglie Verdi necklace

Volo Brass necklace

Man pin

Forchetta Silver earrings

Arnello e Basta

Ferro di Cavallo

Silver Adessobasta

Brass Adessobasta

Silver and silk Prato

Prato Magro

Serpente Lungo

Lucilla Giovanninetti creates textile jewelry. She is at the same time an artist and a designer, but when we ask her which definition she prefers, she evades the question: "Can I say neither of them? I have too much respect for both methodologies. However, if I had to sum up my way of "thinking" jewelry, I'd say I feel closer to an artistic setting, as for now." We shall thus define her as poet of daily life that started creating jewels since when she graduated in Modern Literature: "At University I would craft jewelry with wood, plastic, salvaged materials. In the 90s I conceived a line of jewelry under the name of LUCILLA GI that was picked by interesting stores, both in and outside Italy (including Penelope in Brescia, Takashimaya in New York, Seibu in Hong Kong), so the brand has evolved embracing accessories and clothing."

Jewelry remains her main focus and her latest project is called Eandare: a range of jewelry pieces in silver, brass, bronze and fabrics: "A small world that can mean something different from simple ornaments but that maintains a bond, fundamental for me, with wearability."

Among the main components of her creations are playfulness and daily life – see the fork-shaped earrings – but also the strength of the message conveyed, like for adessobasta, (enough now): a ring that seems like a final, clearly-stated statement. A piece, in brass, that is also among her favorites: "Alongside a viscose necklace called Arrotola that comes in several colors: a very long tubular piece that may be wrapped around the neck many times or let hang free over the knees; among my favorites also the Prato metallic ring with ripped viscose tufts instead of stones."

Among the many other passions that inspire her are "Cinema, art, literature. Travelling. I love also a family dimension, I am moved by sharing private feelings."

Lucilla tells us about her working method: "A painting, a sentence I read somewhere can inspire me a shape, a theme I then develop. Sometimes I start from a sketch I outline with a pen, others I jot down notes, and describe with words what I will later on give a plastic shape to. For a metallic piece I first create the mould with wax, and then cast the pieces in brass, bronze, or silver. If the piece comes in fabric, my approach is very similar to that required for a dress: sewing pattern, first prototype, choice of fabric." As for the choice of materials, she explains: "For some time now I have been carrying out a research on textile jewelry, realizing items that are removed from classic typologies. They are part necklace, part scarf, part accessory. I am particularity interested in combining metallics with fabrics."

Currently the Eandare pieces are on sale at the designer’s space in Milan (at 6,via Rovetta) by appointment, and in stores and galleries in Italy (Milan, Turin, Castell'Arquato, Bologna, Venice, Palermo, Treviso) and outside Italy (Austria, Cyprus, Australia).

She is now planning to start selling her creations online and to develop and sell also men’s jewelry: "I would love to collaborate with a menswear clothing brand that may be interested in including jewelry in their collections, yet with a stylistic and formal value that goes beyond men’s classic typologies."

(Vogue.it)

Such a breathtaking collection! I'm completely and utterly in love with the 200 carat, amethyst necklace...the stones are amazing!

Shirley Ephraim

Shirley's inspiration could only come from Nigeria, Africa where she was born and raised. It is also where she started learning the art of weaving and where she developed her love for the unique tradition.

She studied at the Parsons, New School for Design in New York and specialized in the making of woven jewelry, the soul of her Lace + Armor lines. From there, she embarked on a stylistic road that has since seen her create a capsule collection for Donna Karan as well as collaborate with Christie’s for Green Auction, A Bid to Save the Earth. The last one was March 29th and her necklace made with irregular amethyst drops that were woven together with silk was put up for auction for an esteemed 250,000 dollars.

Her jewelry revolves around her culture, her passion for antique armor and corsets, and her hand-weaving, crocheting, and lace needlework traditions. The pieces also distinguish themselves as pieces that should be preserved. Shirley pairs metal and fabric weaves with uncut stones that have been left rough and in their natural state. They were chosen one by one so that each one is different from the next.

The work is unique in its own right and therefore gives her masterwork extraordinary appeal. One of her masterpieces is a 200 carat amethyst necklace. The stones are set with silk lace that was previous treated with plant extracts to give it an “aged” effect; the necklace also reflects Shirley’s passion for antique armor.

Her celebrated armor corset in silk and lost wax cast brass was inspired by antique Nigerian corsets that had featured a ram. They were realized by master craftsmen between the 15th and 17th centuries for the ancient Nigerian monarch. As she herself has said, “Armor has always intrigued me. I have always been fascinated by their allure and their elegance…”

(Vogue.it)

Metal Heart – Photography duo Remi Kozdra and Kasia Baczulis capture a beauty story starring Russian new face Alexandra Martynova for our latest exclusive. Looking ever the part of a glamour girl, Alexandra wears a swoop of silver in her hair matched with scarlet red lips courtesy of hair and makeup artist Marianna Jurkiewicz. Sparkling gems selected by stylist Emmanuelle Sorel complement the beauty’s jewel toned nail art perfectly.

(fashiongonerogue.com)

Going beyond fashion: the aim of newly-born brand Simona Vanth is that of catalyzing fashion and contemporary art, involving young artists in the creation of art objects.

 For her first collection - Spring/Summer 2012 - Simona Citarella has collaborated with French artist and illustrator Manon Beuchot, AKA Babyscotch, who has conceived, together with the designer, a special installation at the Artisan Social Designer gallery in Paris.

 (Vogue.it)

May 15 sees the launch of the chicest set of stamps yet as Royal Mail pay homage to the greatest names in British fashion.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Four-time winner of the "British Designer of the Year" Award between 1996 and 2003, the late Lee Alexander McQueen designer started off pursuing a line of internships with renowned tailors and then theatrical costumiers: Angels and Bermans. This raven-style, black feathered number reminds Alexander McQueen fans of these roots.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

Appointed 'Dame' in 2006 for her contribution to the British fashion industry, Vivienne Westwood's stamp sports her signature tartan prints and flaming red hair.

OSSIE CLARK

Having designed numerous outfits for Mick Jagger, including a python skin jumpsuit worn during the Rolling Stone's 1973 tour, it's no doubt Ossie Clark's stamp, printed by Celia Birtwell, will add zest to any envelope.

JEAN MUIR

Making her name in the 1960s, Muir created a reputation for well tailored, feminine clothing. Learning her seamstress skills at Dame Alice Harper girls' school, Muir's attention to detail is demonstrated here in miniature form.

ZANDRA RHODES

Founder of the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey in 2003, Zandra Rhodes has designed for clients as diverse as Diana, Princess of Wales, Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and Freddie Mercury. This gold ensemble seen here illustrates the diversity of her talent as a designer.

HARDY AMIES

Best known for his work with the Queen Hardy Amies made fashion history in 1961 by staging the first men's ready-to-wear catwalk show in the UK, at the Savoy Hotel in London.

Designer Zandra Rhodes pictured behind-the-scenes adding the finishing touches to her creation in the studio.

Zandra Rhodes with the finished result, captured by fashion photographer Sølve Sundsbø.

The stamps can be bought from royalmail.com/stamps

 (Daily Telegraph U.K.)

Numbers are central to the Japanese designer’s new collection.

Number and triangles are key in this cool, practical line of accessories: Issey Miyake’s Bao Bao collection, which includes bags, make-up cases and pencil boxes, plays with colour contrasts and matching shades, like aqua green, fuchsia, yellow, white and black.

The central idea of the collection is “shapes made by chance”.

The accessories stand out with their new, light, soft shapes, and can be adapted to a range of uses. Thanks to technology, it’s possible to use individual pieces to get unexpected results. Functionality hasn’t been neglected though – the bags are roomy and very light.

(Vogue.it)

Nomad Royalty – Marcelina Sowa faces the scorching sun of the Vietnamese desert for Grazia UK’s June issue. Photographer Kevin Sinclair captures the Polish model looking like a desert queen. An ensemble of exclusively black, gold, and white garments are selected by stylist Andrew Holden (Atelier Management) accompanied with larger-than-life jewelry featuring the designs of Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli, Lanvin and many more. / Make up by Nam Vo, Hair by Dennis Fei.

(fashiongonerogue.com)

Daniele Michetti

Ashley B. by Bernardo

Les Aperizes

Dawn Levy

Alexander Wang

David Lerner

Boss Black

Frank Tropiano

Katherine Hooker

La Liste

Oliver Green

Holy Tee

(WWD)

I'll take a pair of Daniele Michetti's, Boss Black's, the Dawn levy coat and La Liste skirt....I think that about wraps it up!

 Looking good in Sydney!

(vogue.com)

The Icons – Antidote Magazine’s third issue taps eight leading models–Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigova, Natasha Poly, Malgosia Bela, Saskia de Brauw, Lindsey Wixson, Aymeline Valade and Bianca Balti to be more specific, for its “Icons Issue”. Jan Welters photographed the girls in spring looks selected by editor-in-chief Yann Weber which feature the designs of Versace, Dior, Hervé Leger, Givenchy and more. With eight to choose from, which cover is your favorite?

(fashiongonerogue.com)