Lou Lou Chats with jewellery designer Clare Hynes

One of the things that I have loved about writing my blog is having the opportunity to connect with creative and talented individuals in the fashion industry. I always find their passion for what they do really inspiring. Today's post focuses on Clare Hynes, designer of some VERY beautiful pieces of jewellery.

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Describe your jewellery in three words.

Statement, colourful, unique

Please tell us more about yourself.

I was born and raised in the UK. I then moved to Ireland where I lived for several years, before relocating to Northern China, where I now live for most of the year.

I studied graphic design in the UK and after graduating, began a successful career in magazine design, working for various women’s magazines in London, Sydney and Dublin.

It was during this time that I discovered my true passion for jewellery design. I began exploring my creative talent by making jewellery at home and creating experimental pieces for myself, my friends and family. Over the years I have developed and honed these skills and evolved my designs.

My designs have appeared in a wide range of UK and Irish press, including Grazia, Woman & Home, Marie Claire, Irish Tatler and The Irish Independent. My designs have also been worn by UK X-Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos and were selected to be worn by two lead charaters in the popular American series 9O21O.

The New SS13 Empress collection takes inspiration from my surroundings in China.

Xiao-Xing necklace

Is there a signature ‘Clare Hynes Jewellery’ style?

The Statement necklace - rows of colourful stones combined with chains and threads.

Would you say ‘Clare Hynes Jewellery’ is more classic, or trend-led?

Trend-led, I like to look at the catwalk trends each season for inspiration for the next jewellery collection I’m designing

There are some stunning pieces in the collection, but do you have a favourite piece?

Thank you! At the moment my favourite is the Xiao-Xing necklace. We’re in the depths of Winter in Northern China at the moment so this piece adds a bright pop of colour to my outfits and reminds me of Summer!

What has been the highlight for you since starting your label?

When I saw my pieces adorned by Ariel Kebbel and Jessica Lowndes on 90210. I couldn’t quite believe that my designs were on an American TV series, and one that is watched by 1.6million people!

Looking back, is there anything that you would have done differently?

I don’t think so. Because of having two young children and then moving to China,  I was limited to what I could and couldn’t do. I know I have made mistakes but I have also learned from these mistakes.

What motivates you?

Just to keep on designing pieces that people want to wear. I am forever thinking of new designs and ideas. And I think I will always make and design  jewellery. It’s my passion and something that I can’t not do!

What is in the pipeline for ‘Clare Hynes Jewellery’ in 2013?

To carry on building my brand awareness and to increase my stockists.

If you could see your jewellery on anyone, who would it be?

Olivia Palermo without a doubt!

What advice would you give to people who are looking to start their own fashion business?

Be prepared for putting in the hours but trust your instincts and keep at it. Your first order or your first piece of press will make it all worthwhile.

Be organised, but things will not always go to plan so you also need to be able to adapt to work out different solutions.

Where can we find ‘Clare Hynes Jewellery’?

Anthropologie – Kings Road, and Regents Street London; www.cottonandgems.com www.littleblackdress.com, www.clarehynesjewellery.com

Top Tip?

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! 

 

YSL Arty Ring

Firstly, apologies for the lack of posts lately. The last few weeks have been really busy (including starting a new job which I am loving!) so my blog has had to take a bit of a back seat. However hopefully normal blogging service will be resumed very shortly!

I have been wanting a YSL Arty ring for an age but always resisted temptation (most unlike me I know!) However thanks to the wonder of January sales and online discount codes, this rose gold beauty is finally mine.

I am so glad that I opted to buy it. This year I am determined to adopt the shopping mantra of 'Buy less, but buy better' and this is the perfect example. Instead of buying lots of random bits of cheap jewellery, I opted to buy a piece that I LOVE and that is a classic piece.

I would love to know what items are top of your wishlists.

Diamonds and (welsh)cakes are a girl's best friend

When a press release entitled 'World's Most Expensive Welsh Cake Goes on Display' popped into my inbox, my curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't resist opening it.

And what of this pricey pastry I hear you cry? Well, local jeweller, 'Clive Ranger' are raffling the world's most expensive welshcake in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Before you get visions of a solid gold Welshcake, I will fill you in on the cake in question. The welshcake itself is the real deal, but it is decorated with cubic zirconia. And if that wasn't glitzy enough for you, it is toppped with a pure 18ct Welsh gold and .71 carat certificated diamond solitaire ring worth £6,250. Not too shabby as cake toppers go!

The giant Welshcake (baked by new start-up Mary Margaret Mix) went on display this week in the Cardiff store (on the corner of High Street and Castle Arcade). If you want to be in with a chance of getting that ring off the welshcake and onto your finger, then you will need to pick up a raffle ticket instore on 1st March, in exchange for a suggested donation of £2 to the charity. And as well as entering you into the prize draw, the donation will also get you a tasty welshcake. So you can't lose either way.

Everyone entered into the draw will be invited back to an instore drinks reception later that day, with the winner being drawn at 5.45pm. 

All money raised will help Marie Curie Nurses care for people with terminal cancer and other illnesses at home or in the Marie Curie Hospice, Penarth. Having had family members and friends who have accessed the services at the hospice, I will definitely be supporting this fantastic cause.

S/S 2012 Jewellery Edit: My Wardrobe

I don't know about you, but one of my favourite ways of changing a familiar outfit is by updating the accessories that I wear with it. I tend to favour either a statement necklace or a chunky ring. I find that I always get comments about my accessories. But a girl can never have too many accessories, so I have been trawling my favourite sites for some statement pieces. Here is my selection from one of my favourite web-sites, My-Wardrobe. You can't have failed to miss that it is Valentine's Day coming up, but if you don't buy into all that hooha, then why not treat yourself? As my friend Sam said: "Treat yourself. You love yourself don't you?" Wise words from a lovely lady!

Anton Heunis - Double Chain Drop Necklace

Anton Heunis Crystal Brooch Detail Chain Necklace

Anton Heunis Square Crystal Cluster Ring

Estelle Deve Gold Ausonia Molten Nugget Ring

Marc by Marc Jacobs Smoked Topaz Pave Heart Ring

Aamaya by Priyanka Jade Quartz and Topaz Rose Ring

My-Wardrobe have also got some lovely pieces in their sale:

Dannijo Paula Ring

Alexis Bittar Leger Gunmetal Clustered Spring Ring

Mawi Hematite Leaf Motif and Crystal Gemstone Ring

When it comes to accessories, do you go for the "less is more" subtle look? Or are you more of a "pile as many as possible on" person?

Lou Lou Chats with M from Evol Heist

Next up in my 'Lou Lou Chats' series, is the lovely M from Evol Heist. I first came across 'Evol Heist' on a friend's Twitter timeline, and was really struck by their pieces. I am loving their latest collection, 'Smoke and Mirrors'. M kindly agreed to answer some questions about what inspires the brand's striking and distinctive pieces.

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Describe Evol Heist in three words.

Unusual. Hand-made. Dramatic.

Please tell us more about yourself.

I have come from a Fashion- Marketing background, which was mainly business concentrated, and I found it quite boring as my natural passion comes from transforming visual things, or further developing a simple shape into something that looks like it is from some sci-fi- fashion editorial extravaganza. You know - something pretty distinctive.

I have always made my own jewellery, and most of the time I still customise my own clothes. I used to get compliments in the street and from friends and strangers who wanted to have my personal jewellery pieces made for themselves. I eventually fell into developing EVOL HEIST, creating jewellery collections for people who like to wear things that are quite striking.

What would you say is the Evol Heist signature piece?

Death Grip Duo - £50

Our ‘Death Grip Duo’. Since their release on Halloween 2010, they have been sold to every corner of the world, re-worked with spike studs, UV/ Neon glowing paints for musicians to wear on stage, featured on X-Factor on Little Mix, Big Brother UK (Tom O’ Connell), several magazine fashion editorials, and are still our global best seller over a year later.

What piece from the collection do you wear the most?

I tend to wear our ‘Bone Bracelet’ quite a lot, but I am a little bit obsessed with most pieces from our new collection, ‘Smoke & Mirrors’. I have literally been wearing that entire collection almost every day of the week, since the pieces are so versatile and are so on- point to wear with a winter wardrobe. I have been told that our neck pieces from this collection “really make an outfit”.

Evol 'Eye' necklace - £28

Lolita's Spike Collar - £38

Mirror Gold Collar - £30

One of my favourite pieces from the 'Smoke & Mirrors' collection - Matte Gold Collar - £28

What has been the highlight for you since starting up Evol Heist?

We have had so many highlights. A distinct one is being worn by ‘Little Mix’ on the Halloween show of X-Factor UK, but generally we get to work with musicians across the world designing custom pieces for them which is incredible. We never thought we would be communicating with and meeting musicians we love. We are HUGE music fans.

What motivates you?

My customers and their amazing and inspiring feed- back. Their emails make my day!

What inspires you when you are designing?

Mostly my brain and my subconscious. I have very vivid dreams that could have a distinctive feel to them, which inspires me to design a collection around that, or art direct the look-book containing those elements. I also develop collections based on things I would really love to wear myself. We do consider a certain few guidelines when creating each collection too, like geometry; texture; which era/culture its inspired from etc. The design process is a lot of fun,and I am constantly designing.

What advice would you give to people who are looking to start their own fashion business?

Be obsessed. Be unique.

What’s next for Evol Heist?

Our aim for 2012 is to continue finding great stockists around the world to hold the EVOL HEIST brand; we are currently stocked in Los Angeles - USA and Bristol - UK. Also, to do more jewellery/ designer fairs across the UK. We love meeting our customers and getting people's reaction when they see our pieces.

Where would you like to be in five years time?

Developing a sister- brand, and possibly making bigger things than jewellery!

If you weren’t designing jewellery, what would you be doing?

Probably making cartoons or working in trend-prediction.

Looking back, is there anything that you would have done differently?

Maybe have started doing jewellery fairs at an earlier stage, but other than that, I’m very happy with the choices and decisions we have made!

Top Tip

Stay positive. The world is yours; make of it what you want!

Lou Lou Chats with Amina from Jewel Heritage

I am a big fan of jewellery as the perfect way to add something to an outift, and one brand who have been on my radar for a while is 'Jewel Heritage'. The pieces are really striking, and very detailed. Amina from 'Jewel Heritage' very kindly agreed to answer some questions about the brand and what inspires her.

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Describe 'Jewel Heritage' in three words.

Individual. Macabre. Thoughtful.

Please tell us more about yourself.

I studied design in college and fell in love with it. Illustration is my ultimate love alongside jewellery. I’ve had no normal jewellery training but I have learnt so much about the process from just doing it. And here I am, doing what makes me happy. I also have a soft spot for Vincent Cassel, and I’ve recently taken up hot yoga and love it!

     

Is there a particular piece that typifies the 'Jewel Heritage' look?

TheHarbinger of Death. It’s our most successful and cherished piece of design. It also sums up our brand: dark, mythological and well executed. Or at least we aim for our brand to be!

What is your favourite piece in the collection?

Oh that’s difficult. That is like asking a parent who their favourite child is. The Eyeballin’ was my first piece so it has a special place in my heart, much like someone’s first born will! Eyeballin’ - Jewel Heritage’s first child!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

The past, the present and the future.

What has been the highlight for you since starting up 'Jewel Heritage'?

Apart from the amazing customers from all around the world, from LA to Finland, it has to be appearing in print in The Evening Standard as a brand to watch at London Jewellery Week, alongside a hero of mine Alex Monroe. Also, appearing in Grazia’s fashion charts as a 2012 trend.

What advice would you give to people who are looking to start their own fashion business?

With the business side of things, it will all come with time. You can be given the best advice, tips and motivation on how to run your own business, in whatever sector, but the best thing you can do, is just start with whatever funding, materials etc you have to hand. Let life teach you all you need to know.

Looking back, is there anything that you would have done differently?

I never look back, only forward.

What’s next for 'Jewel Heritage'?

Bigger and better things we hope! A new website alongside a new collection in February. We have a huge giveaway planned on Facebook once we reach 1,000 fans. We are also venturing into bespoke pieces. Just to grow creatively and offer something new and exciting with every collection.

     

Where would you like to be in five years time?

Alive, healthy and doing what I love. To have 'Jewel Heritage' grow. My ultimate goal is for 'Jewel Heritage' to be stocked in Liberty. They have been on my hit list since the very start. Who knows, maybe even a little boutique of our own one day? Bricks and mortar.

What motivates you?

My desire to be really, really good and leave an impact, even if it is just on one person.

Top Tip

If you are looking to become a designer, be it in fashion, jewellery, illustration and so forth, be sure your driving force is your passion for the freedom of being creative and your love for design and not for the money side of it. Creativity first, then think about the business side of it. That’s the way I like to run 'Jewel Heritage'.