That’s Not My Age

Roxanne Assoulin

In summer, style becomes less serious, more undone, as we relax into the vacay spirit and take a more playful approach to fashion. From school kids with dyed or beaded ‘holiday hair’ to those of us at the other end of the spectrum, it’s fun to add a temporary twist to our regular aesthetic. At this time of year, I’m more inclined to experiment with colourful, beach-y beads or a chunky (but not too heavy) chain. Here are six of my current favourite jewellery designers; most are small independent start-ups with a couple of more established brands  – and they all know how to liven up a simple outfit with a flash of brilliance:

Roxanne Assoulin

Roxanne Assoulin

With over four decades experience in the fashion industry – including jewellery collaborations with Norma Kamali, Vera Wang, and Marc Jacobs on his grunge collection for Perry Ellis –  62-year-old Roxanne Assoulin started her eponymous label in 2016. With the mantra ‘jewellery to make you smile,’ the collection centres around colourful necklaces and stacking bracelets, chunky metal chains and statement earrings. All designed to be mixed and mismatched. If you’re wondering what  to snap up first, try a couple of sell-out, stackable friendship bracelets. Grown-up style; not just for Swifties.

Blythe B necklace

Blythe B

This is the perfect summer holiday jewellery (and another artist’s open studio discovery). Blythe B uses Miyuki Japanese seed beads, semi-precious stones and teeny-tiny Hill Tribe silver beads to create delicate necklaces, perfect for layering. Founder, Blythe Bruckner, prides herself on beading everything exclusively by hand. She experiments with uneven shapes, clashing colours and asymmetric placement. And, if you have any broken necklaces, or random charms, Blythe can create a bespoke piece, to breathe new life into your old treasures.

Branch Jewellery photo via Facebook

Branch Jewellery

When simple outfits need a quick boost, I often pull out a couple of pieces of Branch Jewellery. This handmade collection of graphic necklaces, bangles, earrings and rings is made using ethically-sourced wood and buffalo horn. Founded by designer Wendy Pickard-Young, Branch is an independent, Fairtrade label working with artisans in small family-run workshops in Bali and Vietnam. What I like most is that the pieces are simple, lightweight and impactful – so, no earring-induced sagging lobes. And for each purchase made, Branch Jewellery plants a tree.

Vivienne Ridley earrings

Vivienne Ridley

 ‘I love the fact a much-loved yet little-used item, such as a single button that’s 100 years old, can become something current that someone can treasure again…Re-instated from the depths of the button box!’  says designer Vivienne Ridley. Who creates handcrafted jewellery from re-worked vintage finds. When I commented that a simple ring made from an upcycled 1970s cufflink reminded me of my dad (on Instagram) – Vivienne very kindly sent me one. We then reminisced about coming from up north (Vivienne is from Sheffield) and being students in the 1980s. Today, she trawls flea markets and antique shops for vintage curios; all reimagined into new forms in her Brighton studio.

Cardomon Lifestyle

Cardomon Lifestyle

If you love Ibiza and your style aesthetic leans towards the bohemian, you’ll appreciate Cardomon Lifestyle. A friend directed me to this newly-launched jewellery label. Founder Catharine Denham is a product developer with many years experience working in interiors for high street brands. She recently set up a side hustle, creating accessories using a mixture of natural materials, and the same specialist makers. Her aim is to keep the jewellery prices accessible to all. Go to Cardomon for handwoven bangles, jute bags and necklaces made from wooden beads and shells. Coincidentally, Catharine is from Blackpool, too. Seasiders love shells!

The Fortunato twins

Lizzie Fortunato

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Kathryn Fortunato started making jewellery as a hobby at university. Then, after graduating, and working in PR in New York for a year; in 2018 Elizabeth launched Lizzie Fortunato from her sofa in the Lower East Side. She was joined by Kathryn in 2010. Now available at Liberty, Moda Operandi and Neiman Marcus, the pair remain committed to sustainability; ‘As we’ve expanded our offerings, we’ve remained intentional about producing only what we can sell. Given the limited, recycled, and remotely sourced nature of many of our materials, once a piece sells out, it’s typically gone for good.’

Style Tip: follow their Instagram account for excellent pointers on how to stack and build your jewellery up with pizazz.

More jewellery to jazz up any summer outfit. And we’ve just updated the TNMA shop with a selection of timeless style staples, HERE :

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