For those who know me, the fact that this, the second post, is dedicated to jewellery, will come as no big surprise. I mean, I set off machines at airports, jingle annoyingly on public transport and wear enough bangles to effectively be working out my right arm all day, every day. The thing is, jewellery makes me feel dressed and polished. It’s punctuation to my look, call it a trademark if you will. A pair of sparkling, vintage drop earrings can make you feel ‘Hollywood’ on a bad hair day. Layering up different length necklaces looks fresh with the simplest of tops; a white shirt with a peek of pretty hidden underneath makes something classic, just that little bit more interesting. For some, just one piece of jewellery is enough, as long as it’s special or sentimental. For me, everywhere I travel to, I seek out and collect new pieces and I’m constantly on the lookout for the next bangle, ring or charms for my necklaces. My best find? a raw cut diamond elephant pendant I found in Jaipur, I treasure it and wear it every day. So, without further ado, here some of my favourite designers and brands, happy shopping. SV
Beautiful finds don’t have to come with a heavy price tag, nope, Accessorize and the gold plated Z for Accessorize collections offer super pretty, delicate pieces that LOOK expensive. Care for them lovingly and they WILL last.
Dress, £245, Ghost. Earrings, from £12, Necklaces, from £15, Accessorize & Z for Accessorize
Vintage look pieces are often the most commented upon. Be brave and shop around for something that little bit special, call it a future heirloom if you will. Gemporia is well worth a trawl through, lots of classic jewellery but the odd find, like these (shown here) that will take you to a fabulous function and have you feeling red carpet worthy.
Shirt, £355, Ryan Lo at Net-A-Porter. Earrings, £220, www.gemporia.com
Inspired by symbolism and her urban environment, award winning jewellery designer Rachel Entwistle creates stunning and covetable jewellery that the fashion set adore. I am no exception. Mixing metals is an acceptable thing. Really, it is.
Dress, £165, Ghost. Earrings, from £50, Earcuff, £350; Necklaces, from £145; Ring, £140; Rachel Entwistle
Danish/Irish designer Maria Black’s jewellery ticks all the boxes, she’s coveted by the likes of Lady Gaga and Scarlet Johansson and creates simply stunning pieces – shown here a slither of gold chain hangs to the waist. It’s the sort of understated, affordable sexy, that dresses like this were made for.
Dress, £345, Ghost. Necklace, £110, Maria Black. Rings, from £120, Alex Monroe.
Ok, so I have a massive soft spot for the jewellery of Alex Monroe. It all started with the famous bee necklace and then snowballed from there. Alex’s jewellery embraces everything I love about nature, all the fine details, the delicacy. There are foxes, there are shrimps, there are teeny tiny little marching elephants, oh, and so many flowers and vegetables you could create an entire miniature garden. Shown here, the swallows. You’re welcome.
Blouse, £89, Hallhuber. Earrings, from £136, Necklace, £144, Ring, £144, Alex Monroe.
The stuff of fairytales, Swedish designer Maria Nilsdotter’s jewellery is a playful nod to the world of fantasy. Sometimes quirky, sometimes mystical. Above all it makes a statement about the wearer, so whether you crave the chunky rings or be-fanged bangles, this is jewellery to make you smile.
Slip, £101, Hanro. Ring, from £165, bangle, from £145, cuff, £190, Maria Nilsdotter.
From sparkly hair clips to pretty little rings, here are a few more of my favourite things…
The Stylish Stuff Beauty Tips: …and for your close up?
Make up artist Frances Prescott takes us from fresh faced natural to smouldering, via a hit of pink for the bold.
“To prep skin for a fresh, glowing look, spritz with DERMALOGICA Antioxicant Hydramist, £36.90. It hydrates and protects the skin, then smooth on SISLEY Radiant Immediate Lift, to add a minimal glow and prime the skin; follow with BARE MINERALS new Complexion Rescue tinted hydrating gel, for a light covering of sheer colour. Dot a flush of blush to the cheeks using STILA Aqua Glow watercolour blush, then finish by teasing and taming brows using STILA All Day brow gel and a slick of DAINTY DOLL wonder balm on the lips”
If you fancy test driving one of the key looks shown on the Spring Summer 2016 catwalks (yes THAT far ahead), try a little touch of pink on your eye lids. As little or as much as you dare…
Frances loaded a brush with a pink shadow and worked from mid eyelid and blended it out to the corners. (Try PAUL and JOE colour powder 089), she then coated lashes with BENEFIT New Roller Lash mascara and finished the look with a dab of colour from the MAC naturals palette. Nails were kept healthily nude with NailsInc, Mayfair Lane Nail Kale.
Fashion & Style Director Shelly Vella
Photographs by Emma Sweeney
Make up & hair by Frances Prescott @ S Management
Fashion Assistant Sophie Dearden
Model Jess Gold @ Models1
A big thank you to Varg Ltd