Welcome Focus on the Big Blue
30th March 2013
In April 2011, Sir Richard Branson announced his Virgin Oceanic project aimed at exploring the very bottom of our seas with five ultra deep sea dives. And in March 2012, Academy Award-winning director, James Cameron, descended to the depths of the Mariana Trench to become the first human to reach the 11kilometer undersea valley solo.
Perhaps these events captured the imagination of designers, and in turn influenced fashions’ welcome focus on the ocean.
As a creator of luxury ocean motif jewellery, these are exciting times.
In 2012, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel revealed his collection influenced by the beauty of the sea. Lagerfeld weaved his magic with use of innovative fabrics to create the effect of light through water, and a palette of sea foam, shell pink, and mother-of-pearl. Changeante organza ribbons on little shift dresses mimicked seaweed dancing to the rhythms of the sea; silver details and nacreous sequins on dresses captured a moonlit sea; and seaweed motif lace was shaped and formed to depict corals, seashells, and waving underwater algae.
Also that year, Sarah Burton for McQueen made an enormous splash with her under the sea collection. Her intricate floor-length dresses made of delicate ruffles fashioned to resemble coral reef and sea foam cut out lace headpieces alluringly masked the face to create an otherworldly feel.
And since then, accessories, techno fabrics, seascaped prints, and aquatic blue tones have taken inspiration from the sea.
To me, the ocean is a vast beauty and an endless source of inspiration. There is a constant freshness about the sea, in that there is always something new to discover and explore.
I love to capture the amazing detail of the ocean in my metal work, depict her moods in the textures and finishes I apply, and capture the splendour of underwater life and colour through my gemstone selections.
For example, my intricate ‘Fan of the Sea’ solid sterling silver statement pendant featuring cabochons of chrysocolla (above) is inspired by alluring and breathtaking beauty of the majestic Gorgonian Sea Fan Coral.
I hope you enjoy wearing my ocean inspired creations, as much as I have creating them.