Flame & Citronella
August 2011
4 posts
First and Forever
With the onset of Winter comes the opportunity for new footwear. Call that ridiculous but that is how I can reconcile the forthcoming loss of the heat and light of Summer (what we’ve had of it) into bitter cold and darkness.
Dr Martens, as if they knew, have launched their new campaign for A/W11 to make me salivate and separate me from my money. The First and Forever campaign celebrates the fact that everyone remembers their first pair of Dr Martens (I for one still sport the blister scars from breaking in my favourite pair of 3 eye 1461s), and Dr Marten invites you to share these stories and more with them for a chance to win a pair from their new range.
The campaign features an androgynous Agyness Deyn photographed in hazy warmth and a style imbued with a ‘This Is England’ feel without the violence.
After missing out on the velvet versions of these beauties a couple of seasons ago, there is no way I am not getting my hands on some of the ponyskin 3 eyes. They won’t be my first pair, but i’ll certainly love them forever.
Stay tuned for inevitable further coverage on such delicious footwear.
Pippa Small Private View
Notting Hill based designer Pippa Small creates uniquely beautiful jewellery inspired by the world around her. Nature’s artistry and ancient tribal craftsmanship are combined with precious and semi-precious stones and rich yellow golds which interact with each other intertwining a rough, organic and earthy feel with luxurious metal. Each piece is enriched with stories and memories and recently I was invited to invest a few of my own into some of these exquisite pieces at a private showing at her Notting Hill boutique.
Pippa first opened her Notting Hill shop in 2007, where last week a small private showing was held of her new Turquoise Mountain collection.
Look at this amazing spread!
Crafted textiles from Afghanistan
Some of her collection. These necklaces look like golden waterfalls cascading and interspersed with colour
A beautiful piece using traditional Afghan inky blue stones as deep in colour as the night sky
Viewing the brand-new collection itself was wonderful, and each of the pieces draws you to them with their elegant simplicity and the allure of their tactile quality, but it is the collection’s creation that has the most important story.
Designed in Afghanistan taking inspiration from traditional local materials and craftsmanship, the collection celebrates the diversity of the beautiful semi-precious native stones. The workshop, set up within an old shipping container has been blown up twice, but undeterred Pippa has continued to support local business and the gem industry, which could bring in more than 20billion pounds worth of much needed revenue to the country.
This is important as Pippa’s focus is not soley on the creation of lovely wearable jewellery. The Turquoise Mountain collection demonstrates her altruistic side, with Pippa working closely with the charity ‘Turquoise Mountain’ for the last three years promoting the amazing work they have been doing to restore Kabul to its former beauty, to keep its famous craft skills alive and to promote the wealth of gems that the country has at its fingertips.
Pippa’s Website can be found here, which also has her online shop or visit the boutique at 11 Colville Mews, London W112DA.
Guns Germs Steal Wallets
Hand Made metal wallets and card holders engraved with lyrics and lined with fabrics and leather. Each wallet is made using fabric cut-offs or reclaimed leather so every piece is different. Available here from their Etsy.
Dollar Dollar Bill Yo
