Friday, 31 January 2014
Monday, 27 January 2014
Tips and Tricks- Tim Walker: A Retrospective
Tim Walker is one of the most visually exciting and influential fashion photographers working today. Extravagant in scale and ambition and instantly recognisable for their eye-opening originality, Walker’s photographs dazzle with life, colour and humour. His recent work is drawn from the pages of the world’s leading magazines: British, French, American and Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair, W and The New Yorker among many others.
Bex Rox celebrates this look back at one of her favourite British photographers, with a pick of her most fun and playful designs. Have a fabulous, colourful week!
Friday, 24 January 2014
Thursday, 23 January 2014
Weekend Inspiration- The Jewellery Rooms at the V&A
The V&A has one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of jewellery in the world. Over 3,000 jewels tell the story of jewellery in Europe from ancient times to the present day; from jewels by Cartier to animals by Fabergé.
Jewellery is a universal form of adornment. Jewellery made from shells, stone and bones survives from prehistoric times. It is likely that from an early date it was worn as a protection from the dangers of life or as a mark of status or rank.
In the ancient world the discovery of how to work metals was an important stage in the development of the art of jewellery. Over time, metalworking techniques became more sophisticated and decoration more intricate. Here we take a look at some of our favourite and most inspirational pieces.
Collar known as The Shannongrove Gorget, maker unknown, Ireland, late Bronze Age (probably 800-700 BC)
Gold, a rare and highly valued material, was buried with the dead so as to accompany its owner into the afterlife. Much archaeological jewellery comes from tombs and hoards. Sometimes, as with the gold collars from Celtic Ireland which have been found folded in half, it appears people may have followed a ritual for the disposal of jewellery.
Brooch, Unknown maker, France (probably), About 1400
Pendant, Georges van der Straeten,1901, Paris, Gold, diamonds
The jewellery worn in medieval Europe reflected an intensely hierarchical and status-conscious society. Royalty and the nobility wore gold, silver and precious gems. Humbler ranks wore base metals, such as copper or pewter. Colour (provided by precious gems and enamel) and protective power were highly valued.
Collar, Castellani,1870, Italy, Woven gold band, with a fringe of hollow gold pendants
The archaeological discoveries of the 19th century led to a greater awareness and understanding of ancient jewellery. For the first time these intricate gold pieces were collected, studied and published, and both the originals and the published illustrations of them were a rich new source for designers of jewellery. The resulting 'archaeological-style' jewellery was fashionable from around 1860 until at least the 1880s.
Neckpiece, Marjorie Schick, 1995, USA, Painted papier-mâché, additional metal supports
Since the 1960s the boundaries of jewellery have been continually redefined. Conventions have been challenged by successive generations of independent jewellers, often educated at art college and immersed in radical ideas.
New technologies and non-precious materials, including plastics, paper and textiles, have overturned the notions of status traditionally implicit in jewellery.
Avant-garde artist-jewellers have explored the interaction of jewellery with the body, pushing the boundaries of scale and wearability to the limits. Jewellery has developed into wearable art. The debate on its relationship to Fine Art continues.
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Interview: The Bex Rox Blogger
This weeks interview is with Bex Rox's blogger- Rebecca, who joined the studio last September. Before joining Bex, Rebecca had graduated from Central Saint Martins with a Textile Design degree and spent her summer painting on commission. Since her time with us she has worked through a fashion week, new collections and a number of exciting collaborations and Pop-up shops.
Tell us a little about yourself and what a day as the
BEX ROX blogger holds...
I follow a loose social media
timetable so that I can bring some continuity to each day of the week for our blog followers. I like to encorporate Bex’s favourite art works, places, trinkets
and styles to give it a personal feel. I also like to keep up to date with
events and exhibitions around London, to coincide with certain posts.
Where do you find your inspiration?
The collections are vastly different; and therefore draw inspiration from many corners of the globe. I would say a significant inspiration for Bex is travel and LOTS of colour. For some pieces, such as the Lion collection, there's a real African safari feel, full of heat and exotic creatures. With much of the Iconics range, i imagine a Cuban bar, late night dancing or a stroll along a back street in Rio de Janeiro. When we get a lot of cast pieces around the studio, like the love hearts and the trinkety charms, i think of early 20th Century Parisian nights, with a glass of wine, some street entertainment and dinner by candlelight.
What bought you to BEX ROX?
The unusal design and bright
colours. I like the stackable quality and also the mix of satins and suedes
with the plated gold, the chunky feel. Theres also something for all ages- you can definitely find something for all the girls in your family.
When was your first interaction with a BEX ROX design?
When I began to intern for them
last year. I also researched her work and saw that it was stocked in some of
the best stores in London, and had a good pool of celebrity following, which
made me excited to begin working with them.
You love to fine dine, tell us your favourite hot spot
in London to date?
Sometimes its nice to have a really decadent evening out in London. for that i would suggest Galvins at Windows, at the Hyde Park Hilton.
For a perfectly smokey whiskey i like a trip to The Albannach, or for Japanese, an incredibly rare Beef Tataki at Nobu tastes like heaven.
For late night cocktails, The Long Bar at The Sanderson does some amazing champagne variations.
For a quick bite to eat in the day or early evening, I would suggest Wong Kei's as the best in Soho for Chinese, or Bi Bim Bap up the road for some great South Korean hot bowls. Blue Legumes is great little french cubby hole in Stoke Newington; and Cafe Gourmand behind Oxford Street serves the strongest cup of tea i can find anywhere.
Art is a big part of your everyday life, which artists
inspire you?
My first and greatest love is the Renaissance, particularly Michelangelo's frescos and sculpts, and Brunelleschi's contribution to Italian architecture.
In contemporary works, anything that makes me laugh is good, or if I find someone that approaches colour in an intelligent manner- i find that very impressive. My favourite space in London at the moment is the Saatchi- it is inclusive to all walks of life, and the spaces are very clean without being oppressively puritanical.
In regards to the wider arts, i think its important to have a good body of the greats behind you, as far back as you can manage to interpret- as you will never forget what you learn from them. Dante is a good one for this. Also, Sophocles has a great knack for turning a tragedy into a great work of comedy- i couldn't stop laughing through Oedipus the King, or Electra.
For a more modern read, i would choose Orwell, Murakami, and De Beauvoir on rotation. Music wise i am currently revisiting Ryuichi Sakamoto and Clint Mansell.
For films, i would suggest that you can't go wrong with a night in watching anything by Park
Chan-wook and Kinji
Fukasaku, or Kim Jee-woon. In general i find South Korean and Japanese cinema wildly imaginative; and very bravely emotive.
Any advice for other interns trying to get their first
break in the fashion industry?
I would suggest not to have a fixed idea of what you want to
become when you leave Uni, because i think generally the world doesn't work like that anymore. Go with the opportunities that come your way. Worry less
about the reputation of your uni, and more about making connections and
development of your own accord. Keep some sort of record of your contacts and organize them into
their different fields. Create a website. Go crazy with your final project at Uni- there is a lure in making it commercial for possible buyers at the end but i would personally suggest that you revolt against that. Travel
to culturally inspirational places rather than fashionable hot spots. And- remember your
worth!
Favourite Bex Rox piece?
My favourite is hard to bring down to one, so here are my top 3:
The Lola Bracelet in Black and Gold: an easy classic, light to wear and goes with everything
The Chain on Chain Cuff in Rose Gold: My Christmas present from Bex last year!
The Elsa Lion Mane Necklace in Gold: a new favourite and such a clever design. I love to wear statement necklaces.
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Tips and Tricks- Out and about in East London!
This week, a few of the Bex Rox team journeyed east in search of trends, textures, and colour inspiration! We love the experimental shop fronts and playful shapes the area has to offer, and whilst en route, we showcased our Afrika Collection, coming soon and available through pre order!
Remember, there are still a few days left of our big January sale, with a huge 50% off selected lines!!! Enjoy it whilst it lasts! x
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