3 minute read
Meet The Designer
MEET THE DESIGNER Miranda Templeton
Melanie Metcalfe is the creative talent behind the hugely successful Miranda Templeton collection. Wedding Trader got her talking…
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Where did you train in jewellery design?
I have no formal training in jewellery design, in fact, I’m a textile designer by trade. However, I designed the accessories for my wedding in 2001 and a lucky encounter then provided the opportunity to work for a leading accessories company. I took a leap of faith, and all my training was acquired on the job. In 2011, I took another leap when Tony Bromilow and I created, Miranda Templeton.
In jewellery, were you focused on the bridal/formalwear sector from the start?
Yes, when it comes to jewellery design it has, and always will be, bridal design. Over 20 years later, it still inspires me. I adore everything about it, from sourcing components and creating new designs to producing repeats and packing finished pieces, it’s all magical. I could probably live without the paperwork though!
What are your very favourite materials?
These change and I think as a designer they should. Over the years we’ve sourced stunning beaded appliques, created our own porcelain flowers and gone full on with Swarovski crystal. Each collection has its own personality and those materials will become my favourites for the season. Currently I’m loving the pure glamour of sparkling diamanté particularly the elongated marquise stones in the new City Lights Collection, but pearls will always remain a firm favourite.
Your best selling piece ever – what is, and what was the inspiration?
There are two pieces which stand out,
Gatscombe, from our very first collection and beautiful Anderton, a few years later. Both of these pieces seemed to perfectly capture the mood at the time and both became runaway best sellers.
Gatscombe was a stunning diamanté, bricolage style side piece, inspired by the Art Deco revival which was so prevalent in the early 2010s.
Anderton was almost the opposite to this, a soft, delicate lace design with a hint of floral sparkle, which somehow suited
every bride and perfectly complemented the lace dresses of the time.
What do you see as the hot trends right now?
Following such a restrictive period, understated elegance is important. Think simple, sleek designs but with show- stopping sparkle. Larger stones, diamanté and pearl, in purer configurations are key; it’s a form of post pandemic escapism, brides simply want to wear something breathtaking.
Contemporary designs such as the Barcelona band from our City Lights Collection capture this aesthetic perfectly, whereas the delicate details of the Monaco tiara, with its gorgeous opal marquise stones, complement the plethora of pastel dresses which are making such a splash on the spring runways.
Are you finding any price resistance post the pandemic?
In all honesty, we haven’t really felt this to date, however I feel that the initial euphoria of freedom may now be wearing thin. The precarious global situation
and recent cost of living increases will inevitably have an effect on our beloved industry yet again.
How many retailers are you in, and do you sell direct to brides?
We currently have around 90 stockists throughout the UK and Ireland, these are our only retail outlets. We don’t sell online or directly to brides as we feel this would be unfair to our lovely stockists.
Where can one see the new collection?
The new collection will debut at Harrogate in September, there will be around 18 new pieces. In the meantime ,the current collection can be seen at www.mirandatempleton.co.uk with the City Lights Collection available by the end of April.
Best contact details
Tony Bromilow 07962 226543 info@mirandatempleton.co.uk
