A is for Jewellery
Text by Xanthia Hallissey
Photography by Anna Johnson

A Alicia is a jewellery company with a difference. On setting up her own practice, founder Anna Johnson didn’t want to litter the market with plastic, throwaway items. She took the idea of waste literally, sourcing vintage and fair-trade fabrics to make eco-ethical jewellery and a homeware company with heart. When asked about what motivated her to set up the company, Anna replied: “I’ve always wanted to be able to feel that I’m doing something positive in the world.”

Anna is a graduate of Art History from the University of Kent, but the practice side of her career was really developed during her MA in Fine Art at Central St Martins. Now making jewellery, she nicely synthesises her art history and fine art backgrounds. Anna always felt inspired to stand out of the crowd, saying that the idea to start an ethically aware line felt natural. She explains: “In a way it didn’t really feel like a choice, I just couldn’t stomach the idea of running a business who’s supply chain involved exploiting other people or the environment.”

Although Anna is ethically aware, the aesthetic of her work is still important to her: “Of course, there’s the ethical side of knowing how and by whom something is made, but then there’s also the sheer joy of living with or wearing beautifully, thoughtfully handmade products.”  By using textured materials such as handmade beads, vintage kimono fabric, pompoms, in clear, bright colours, the pieces fit in comfortably with current fashions. Anna lists her inspiration for the line from diverse sources such as Japanese craft to simply having the television on whilst sewing; these wide-ranging influences highlight the sense of fun evident in her personality and in her work.

By going back to process and thinking about how things are made every step of the way, Anna is part of a growing number of designers putting production first. Her ethos is inspiring, believing that each of us has the opportunity to be ‘green’ with our work by thinking of the making at the offset. “I also truly believe that all our tiny individual actions really can be part of a bigger change,” says Anna.

Reflecting on her studies, Anna muses: “It’s hard to describe quite how much my Art History studies have influenced my creative practices – they gave me such a wonderful source of reference points that play a part in everything I do.” Hinting at a holistic view of life, A Alicia is not just a business prospect but something Anna really believes in.

For organic, fairtrade fabric visit the Organic Cotton website.

Visit Anna’s online shop, visit Anna’s mainline and wedding websites.

Jail Earrings £37.30

With the boys currently stealing the fashion limelight at Paris Fashion week, masculinity trends are taking over the style radar. Tough luxe accessories work perfectly in these final months of winter, and jewellery designer of the moment Inés Susaeta has a new covetable collection of hard candy hardware. Blending dynamic design with intricate detail, her stunning necklaces, earrings and bracelets ooze individuality. The Viper necklace is an irresistible indulgence to add texture to your look, or accentuate an LBD with the stunning moon bracelet. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COLLECTION

Sheena Necklace by Chloe Hope £52

Whether your opting for Louis Vuitton’s utilitarian traveller look or Oscar De La Renta’s classic chic safari, the tribal runway beat has inspired a new wave of style hunters. Take inspiration from Paul Smith and finish off a fierce animal print with a stunningly tempting necklace from designer Chloe Hope. The unique, hand-made collection features 5 one of a kind necklaces that mix bohemian luxe with romantic chic as the exotic names allow them to form a glamourous identity of their own. Try the Sheena Necklace for an chic urban daytime look, made from Braided and knotted leather, lace, glass seed beads, antique key and real tiny feathers. An Instant style statement, click here to view the collection.

Florals for Spring is a tired cliche, however for 2010 designer’s have taken a more innovative approach with Erdem, Stella Mc Cartney and Etro all using computer graphics and geometric patterns to present florals in a futuristic way. Shy away from the stereotypical girlish connotations with the brand new Baroque Romance collection from Patricia Nicolas. Featuring a lust worthy array of Swarvoski pearls and gold, the delicate design is inspired by nature yet exudes a certain provocative appeal. With the cowboy frog ring a stylish statement and caged pearl bracelets the epitome of urban chic. Click here to view the collection.

With New Year’s Eve only 3 days away its time to leave festive fatigue behind and get ready to party. Whatever dress your set to sparkle in don’t let your accessories let you down, ditch the studs for dazzling earrings for an instant dressed-up look. Infuse any look with global glamour with the stunning Red Coral-eye earrings by designer of the moment Ines Susaeta(featured above £48.20) or opt for exotic elegance with the irresistibly eye catching 18ct Gold Plated, Green onyx earrings by N@talia (featured below £120) And ring in the New Year in style!

CLICK HERE to shop Earrings

Fairy tale inspired jewellery is set to be big next Spring. With fashion week heralding all that is whimsical and wondrous and Tim Burton’s highly anticipated Alice in Wonderland soon to be released stay ahead of the style set with jewellery from FlashTrash.  With a charming range of exclusive collections, including Eclectic Eccentricity and Elsie Belle its difficult to choose just one so indulge your inner princess with FlashTrash’s Top 5 fairy tale delights..

Alice in Wonderland Pendant Necklace £22 CLICK HERE TO BUY

*LIMITED EDITION*Cinderella Carriage Earrings £150 CLICK HERE TO BUY

Songbird Necklace £18 CLICK HERE TO BUY

Little Red Riding Hood Necklace £15 CLICK HERE TO BUY

Tea Cup Ring £11 CLICK HERE TO BUY

Whether your sun bathing or snow bathing this Christmas,the exclusive new range from Glint Jewellery adds a refined holiday glamour to any look. Using the hottest new design material, sea bamboo, a more environmentally sustainable alternative to coral the covetable bubble bracelet accentuates natural beauty through dynamic design. Whilst the the classically elegant grape earrings (above  £40) featuring Freshwater Pearls and 24ct Gold are the perfect winter adornment to steal the scene at every soirée.

CLICK HERE to shop the collection

‘Everywhere we turn we’re bypassing clothes and realising that jewellery truly makes an outfit‘ in Grazia magazine’s No.3 hot story, statement necklaces from England’s most up and coming designers are marking their fashion territory. Innovative and futuristic, designs that are cutting edge and glamourous are the only ones to opt for. And today, jewellery designer of the moment Tanya Davison debuts her collection featuring the covetable Twist Necklace, in Carnelian Orange(Featured above £147), Versatile Jade or Provocative Black Pearl, get your fashion fix now and make a unique style statement.

Click here to shop the collection * JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

The other week my talented friend Kristen Blow did a jewellery shoot and got me, Nikoo and a few others to model it. I was hungover and very sick and it was fucking cold and not many clothes were worn, but as usual Kristen produced something amazing. Check it out and check out her other work here!

Photography: Kristen Blow
Make-up: Kenny Leung
Jewellery: Jacey Withers
Models: Me, Nikoo Hamzavi, Amanda Pererra.
Styling: Marshall David Johnson

Mesmerizing jewels take center stage this month as the Christmas party season takes off. Transform your LBD from simple to statement  with the stunning Swarvoski Rivoli Necklace (Featured above £205)and Earrings (£95)by jewellery designer of the moment Yuen. With dazzling crystals on a chunky, gold plated chain its futuristic design with an Urban Luxe edge.

Click here to shop Yuen’s Collection