Fashion

IN FASHION

GOSSIP

MARY MARTIN LONDON – THE RETURN COLLECTION On location at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Westminster, the energy is electric. The Grand Staircase is the perfect match for the grandeur of the latest Mary Martin London designs which form ‘The Return Collection’. Mary designed all the dresses herself as well as the headdresses. The founder of Blossom Concepts, Elisha Griffith, worked with Mary on the headdresses.

Mary reveals that Ignatius Sancho provided her with great inspiration for The Return Collection. Born in 1729 on a slave ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Ignatius rose through talent and hard work to become a British composer, actor and writer. He is the only 18th century Briton of African heritage known to have been eligible to vote in a General Election through property qualifications.

“Ignatius Sancho and his West Indian wife, Anne Osborne lived for a while in Westminster – near where the Foreign Office is now. I am so inspired by his talent and drive to succeed against the odds! The Return Collection is Marie Antoinette meets tribal, meets avant garde.”

Now to meet the models: Yasmin Jamaal, Leila Samati, Kiki Busari and Hassan Reese, accompanied by ballerina Omozefe. Half Lebanese, half Sierra Leonean model Yasmin Jamaal stuns in a regal black and crimson gown. Leila Samati is an international model, she’s been crowned Miss World, Miss Africa Great Britain and Miss Guinea-Bissau. The third female model on today’s shoot is Londoner Kiki Busari, this is her first time working with Mary. Fellow Londoner Hassan Reese is the male model. At 6 foot four inches he has been used as a body double for runner Usain Bolt. Ballerina Omozefe is practising her ballet moves while classical music reverberates off the marble Durbar Court. Before heading to the runway freelance stylist, Joel Kerroy adds the finishing touches to their looks.

Memorable fashion moments are created - Omozefe’s tippy toed croisé, plié and grand jeté. Yasmin working a dress of straw. Leila balancing a gargantuan Georgian wig on her head. Kiki taking a selfie with a Victorian bust. Hassan strutting his stuff.

The show comes to a dramatic end with a final memorable scene: the models proudly descending the Grand Staircase illuminated by late afternoon sunlight. Everyone is present, everyone is in awe.

Mary rejoices, “It gives me great pleasure to create. It’s emotional, I express myself with clothes. I’ve never shown at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before. What a privilege. This is a first!”.

Visit the website to view Mary’s previous collections www.marymartinlondon.com Facebook @marymartinlondoncoture Instagram @marymartinlondon

Designer: Mary Martin London Photographer: Stuart Blakley Ballerina: Omozefe Models: Kiki Busari, Leila Samati, Yasmin Jamaal and Hassan Reese Stylist: Joel Kerroy Contributions: Elisha Griffith (headdress materials) and Tamara (makeup)

shop local this Christmas

Store Reopening 2nd December

Monday 10.00am - 5.00pm

DECEMBER OPENING TIMES: Tuesday-Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm

Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm Orders can be placed through social media. Local delivery & post service available. Orders available to collect in store on Wednesday 1.00pm - 4.00pm & Saturday 2.00pm - 4.00pm

ATTITUDES WOMENSWEAR 86 High St, Yarm, TS15 9AP 01642 782914

shop@attitudeswomenswear.com • www.attitudeswomenswear.co.uk instagram - @attitudeswomenswear • Facebook - @AttitudesWomenswear

Behind the scenes on a one of a kind jewellery commission

Earlier this year, we met Kate Seow, the creative force behind Prosecco & Rubies. Now she takes us behind the scenes as she works on a special commission.

“A lady contacted me recently asking if I could make a pair of earrings to match some jewellery that she already owns. She sent me photos showing some beautiful blue-green opals set in 18ct gold. My first job was to find some opals that match the existing jewellery; a few emails later and I had some opals reserved whilst I moved on to the next stage of the process: sketches and quotes.”

The sketches were relatively straightforward as my client had a clear idea of what she wanted. Next, I worked out what materials I needed, how long the piece would take and the cost based on this. At this point, I also offered my client the option of ethically sourced materials such as Fairtrade gold and fully traceable gemstones.

Once we had agreed the design and price, I ordered the materials and got to work shaping the metal and soldering the components together. Throughout the fabrication process, I kept my client up to date by sending her regular updates including work-in-progress photos. As soon as the goldsmithing work was complete, it was time to send the earrings for hallmarking.

When they returned from hallmarking, the earrings were ready for the final step: setting the opals and a final polish. This is always nerve-wracking as so much work has gone into the piece and one slip could damage both stone and setting! A couple of hours (and some choice words) later, the earrings were finished and looking fabulous; all that’s left is to take some glamour shots and send them off to their new home.”

If this has inspired you to have a special piece of jewellery made, why not take a look at Kate’s previous commissions and one-of-a-kind pieces? Get in touch with her to discuss your requirements via email, phone or at The Pop-Up Shop, Yarm. Visit Kate’s website and social pages for her latest news and events.

Tel: 07484 137174 Web: www.proseccoandrubies.co.uk Email: kate@proseccoandrubies.co.uk @proseccoandrubies