Theresa May A-Z: O is for Oversized Accessories

Go big or go home! Theresa May is a pro at rocking an oversized accessory.

With an impressive collection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings, the PM mixes up her work wear look with many statement, oversized pieces.

Jazzing up an every day navy suit, Theresa May usually sports a bubblegum sized string of oversized pearls, wearing them to PMQs and official functions. Similarly, the PM wears a gorgeous strand of mixed coloured pearls, all slightly large in size.

Two of May’s most popular and most worn oversized accessories are necklaces. The chunky silver chain and matching bracelet from Amanda Wakeley sold out soon after May wore them on the steps of Downing Street in July 2016. Repeat performances at PMQs and foreign visits made the set a must-own item – and they’re back in stock! May’s other oversized necklace is the blue Balls piece from Mirta Bijoux. The star of the Cabinet’s official photo, the necklace is often worn by May with a sky blue coat and navy shift.

A friend recently met the Prime Minister and helpfully studied her jewellery for me! May’s large, rectangular bangles, depicting famous art prints and abstract patterns appear to be made of Bakelite or a similar material. These appear to be one of her favourite accessories, wearing a patterned bracelet in her official Prime Ministerial portrait and on numerous public appearances.

Not many people could wear such striking jewellery in a confident and chic way, but I could think of no one else who could carry off oversized pieces so well!

Come back tomorrow for the P is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: I is for Italian Fashion

Grande! Theresa May is no stranger to looking at Italy for a little style inspiration. One of her most striking pieces- the blue Balls necklace is by the Italian accessories brand Mirta Bijoux. This oversized design is one of Mirta Bijoux’s signature styles, and the PM regularly wears her necklace with a baby blue coat and navy shift dress. She also teamed it with her DvF jacket and jeans for her Conservative Party conference arrival.

The Mirta Bijoux necklace was Theresa May’s statement accessory for her first day as Prime Minister, and it also made a reappearance in the official Cabinet photograph. May last wore the necklace in February 2017 for a summit of EU leaders in Valetta, Malta.

Mirta Bijoux’s creations are dedicated to an audience who choose quality and innovation. As the brand itself says, ‘Our accessory is the wearer: her passions, her creativity and her joy.’ All these characteristics certainly ring true for Theresa May, and her Mirta Bijoux accessory is the ultimate style statement.

Come back tomorrow for the J is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: H is for Hermes

Like many female politicians and members of royal families, Theresa May is a devotee of the classically elegant Hermes scarf. I’m still learning about the Hermes scarf repertoire, and I have no better subject to study than our Prime Minister.

Theresa May has an impressive range of Hermes silk scarves. Favouring the 90x90 size, May has accessorized with this timeless piece for many years. Regularly teaming the scarves with one of her super sharp suits, May opts for bold, multi-colour designs to shake up her workwear.

Helen, a fabulous Political Style reader, has helped me identify some of Theresa May’s Hermes scarves- there are so many amazing designs to feature!

One of May’s oldest designs is the Charmes des Plages Normandes. A playful take on the beach, this orange hued scarf works particularly well in the summer. May has been snapped wearing hers with an oatmeal coloured suit.

Reves d’Escargot is another timeless design, with playful swirled snail shells in a beautiful green, yellow and orange colour pattern. May wore this on a This Morning appearance and often teams it with a dark trouser suit as seen below.

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Coup de Fouet is a bold equestrian based pattern that has made several appearances this year, the most recent to an EU Council meeting in Brussels. May teamed the scarf with a grey Escada blazer and navy dress.

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Quite possibly my favourite of the lot, Les Legendes de l’Arbre Coloriage is a gorgeous mix of purples, blues and deep reds. May was snapped wearing this scarf at a Remembrance Day reception at Downing Street. Paired with a grey blazer, white cami and navy skirt, the scarf was undoubtedly the star of the show.

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Fantasies Indiennes is a lighter design, featuring elephants and an exotic tree. May has worn this on several occasions, most recently on her visit to Cardiff and Dublin in February 2017. May colour clashed on this occasion, wearing it with her midnight and neon lime Amanda Wakeley coat.

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The Vue du Carosse La Galere La Reale is the boldest design out of May’s collection, and May wore this primary coloured scarf to welcome the Polish Prime Minister to Downing Street in November 2016. May wore this in a different way to her other 90x90 scarves, maxing out its width, draping it over her shoulders with a firm knot.

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And Helen’s favourite, the L’Ivresse d’Infini is firmly attached to May’s red Amanda Wakeley suit. The detailed pattern is enhanced by the red, white and blue hues, and is the perfect accompaniment for May’s fierce, lucky outfit.

c/o Matthew Horwood

We’re still on the hunt for the scarf worn by May to welcome Donald Tusk to Downing Street in April 2017. If you have any ideas then send me an email!

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Come back tomorrow for the I is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: G is for Glitter

Adding some sparkle to proceedings, Theresa May regularly accessorizes with a glittery piece… or two! Taking her from London to Rome, May’s uber sparkly Lo-Fi flats from Russell & Bromley are her most glittery pair of shoes. Whether wearing them to a gallery opening with black trousers, or upping the ante of a navy blue shift and coat, May knows that glitter is often the most effective accessory.

The Lo-Fi flat

Theresa May’s use of glitter doesn’t just stop at her feet. A well-loved silver lame clutch from Anya Hindmarch made a reappearance at the Guildhall in November 2016 and then had another outing at The Sun Military Awards. This piece is hard to pick up due to its age- keep an eye out on eBay!

A recent glittery addition to May’s wardrobe is Swarovski’s Gray Crystaldust Double Curve bangle. Part of a gift package from Nadja Swarovski, the PM purchased this item and wore it to her Brexit speech at Lancaster House in January. May also wore three similar Swarovski Crystaldust bangles to announce the snap General Election. At well under £100 each, these are pieces of Theresa May sparkle you can have in your own wardrobe!

The grey Crystaldust Swarovski bangle

Come back tomorrow for the H is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

The Amanda Wakeley Chunky Chain Necklace and Bracelet

Very rarely will a politician have the power to wear an item and sell it out. Theresa May bucked this trend when she wore a chunky silver chain necklace in July 2016 to make her maiden speech as Prime Minister on the steps of 10 Downing Street.

Designed by Amanda Wakeley, the two pieces quickly became unavailable in their native silver and alternative rose gold - and we totally understand why! The statement piece is absolutely striking, and as May has demonstrated, an effortless accessory to wear during the day and at night. Looking great with a higher neckline, the necklace gives definition with an edgy twist.

May wears her chain necklace with a whole host of outfits- elegant shift dresses, a sparkly tweed jacket and a classic monochrome trouser suit. She also teams it up with the matching bracelet, a satisfyingly statement piece to add power to any wrist.

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Alot of people worry about wearing oversized accessories, fearing that they won't be able to confidently carry them off. I can testify that these two items won't give you a headache! Wearing mine to a meeting last week I felt confident and chic thanks to a little bit of Wakeley glamour!

Many readers have contacted me to ask where May's chunky chain accessory set was from- I hope this post has put your mind at rest! Be sure to hop on over to the Amanda Wakeley website to snatch yours before demand wins once again! The pieces are also now available in gold.

(And a shout out to the Amanda Wakeley store in Albemarle Street, London for putting me on the waiting list and for the fast delivery!)

Kekkai Scarves

kekkai

I'm excited to share with you a fantastic new scarf brand which I recently discovered. kekkai was founded in 2014 as a collaborative art project between two Greek sisters, Emily and Yvonne-Demitra, living separately in New York City and London. Their eye-catching designs are created through a process-driven artistic practice that explores the overlap between digital and analogue techniques of pattern making. Inspired by the hidden powers of geometry, healing plants and color, each piece is uniquely designed to lift the spirit. Made of the highest quality Italian fabrics and large enough to wrap the entire body, they become a second skin, perfect for winter and summer alike.

But what does kekkai mean? Literally, kekkai is 'on a small scale, meaning a projected energy barrier, force field or shield; and on a larger scale, meaning a pocket universe, spiritual or otherwise.' kekkai's pieces certainly live up to this unique description. With its mythological and mystical roots, these qualities are reflected in many of kekkai's beautiful designs. Each design was made as a unique piece of art, inspired by the hidden powers of colour and geometry to help protect the person wearing it. In this collection Emily and Yvonne-Demitra were inspired to protect those around them that suffer from depression and darkness. They created these shields to protect and lift the mood with bright colours, healing plants and artefacts.

kekkai sent me the Pomegranate Solstice scarf to brighten up my spring wardrobe! Made from cashmere, this psychedelic print is hand-finished in Italy and the perfect lightweight scarf to transition from the spring to summer months. I love the pomegranate print, and as a bonus, it reminds me to introduce more pomegranate goodness into my fruit intake! My other favourite design is the Ibiza Gardens print, a heady mix of soft florals on a bold, black background.

The scarves are made with extremely soft silk and cashmere and are large enough to completely wrap the body almost like a second skin. The sisters look for their style inspiration in nature and in every single human being around them, and their next collection is to be launched in June.

And who would they love to see wearing a kekkai design? The fantastic Tilda Swinton, who as Emily says, "would absolutely appreciate the work that we put into our designs, and hopefully see our scarves as a statement, art inspired piece."

Check out kekkai's range of beautiful scarves here.

Lady Sarah Thatcher designs a new range of handbags

Previous Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was synonymous for her love of handbags, and like the Queen, was never seen without one.

Her daughter in law, Lady Sarah Thatcher has recently designed a range of handbags for Luxury Promise. Whilst most have sold out, a few designs are still available to purchase.

The colourful range of keyrings, purses and bags start at an affordable £95 and advance to nearly £5000 for some exotic items. Constructed from crocodile and ostrich, these pieces are absolutely classic- and all have a fresh, modern twist.

The Royal Blue Crocodile Clutch is one of my favourite designs- and still available! The Grey purse is also still available to buy, and will bring a touch of luxury to your everyday routine.

For more details on the line visit Luxury Promise - but be quick!

J.Crew New Arrivals

A new arrivals email from J.Crew is probably one of the most favourite messages that I receive. There are so many great pieces this season! It'll be hard to restrain myself from making a few purchases!

To get you in the shopping mood, here are some of my favourite pieces.

COLLECTION RUFFLE-FRONT SHIRT IN RATTI® EMERALD FLORAL: this pretty silk blouse comes straight from Italy. Its deep colours are perfect for autumn.

LUCITE LINK NECKLACE: bold is better! And this lucite necklace certainly fits the bill.

COLLECTION SADIE LOAFER FLATS IN LEOPARD CALF HAIR: these leopard loafer flats would be a firm favourite of our new Prime Minister, Theresa May. Maybe she will sport them down Downing Street?

RUFFLE-NECK TOP IN PONTE: delicate and light, the thin bow makes this a great transitional summer- autumn piece.

SIGNET BAG IN ITALIAN LEATHER: available in seven shades, this gorgeous Italian leather signet bag is the ideal size for the essentials. The contrasting key fob is super sweet!

"NEW YORK" DESTINATION ART T-SHIRT: I'll be purchasing this tee ahead of my next trip! 

Simply S'well

Navy or nothing!

I am super conscious about keeping hydrated, and try to drink the recommended amount of water every day. One thing that really irritates me is the number of plastic bottles that are around, and if I'm out and about and have forgotten to bring a drink with me, I end up purchasing another plastic bottle of water.

My use of plastic bottles will be gone thanks to S'well. S'well was launched in 2010 by Sarah Kauss who was also on a quest to rid the world of plastic bottles. In the US alone, an estimated 50 billion plastic bottles are dumped in landfill sites. Across the world, it is estimated that 200 billion reach the same fate.

S'well bottles keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12, plus the cap is big enough to place ice cubes inside. The bottle also fits in a standard size cup holder, making it perfect for long car journeys! S'well is also available in three sizes- 9oz, 17oz and 25oz and you can customise bottles, making them ideal for a personal or a corporate gift.

S'well gives back by supporting the US Fund for UNICEF, donating $100,000 to help provide clean water to the world's most vulnerable children. S'well also supports American Forests and Drink Up.

I love that S'well has so many options to choose from! From stone to wood, glitter to satin, you will be spoilt for choice when deciding what to pick! After much deliberation I chose the navy alligator from the Exotics collection. It's shiny, high gloss and super cool. My bottle will be accompanying me to work, when I'm out running errands, to the gym and also when I'm relaxing at home! It's my new chic way of keeping hydrated!

*Thanks to S'well and HomeArama for sending me a S'well bottle to review. All opinions are solely my own.*

Leather Goods from Orox

I love to support family run businesses, particularly those that are committed to making extraordinary products.

Oxox Leather Company was established in Oregon in 2005, its origins traced back to 1933 when Felipe Martinez began crafting leather goods in Oaxaca, Mexico. Fast forward to the present day, and the business is run by his great grandchildren Martin, Levi and Kevin with a name that represents its history and inspirations.

Oxox offers a full range of American made bags, belts and small leather goods. Their timeless, clean designs are handcrafted to the highest of standards, and the company uses American-sourced leather and sustainable materials. The products will stand the test of time and become items that one generation can pass proudly on to the next.

I particularly love the citus cord minders and they are so useful for keeping my earbuds and phone chargers tangle free! They are a simple solution to an often irritating problem!

I often use a silver case to hold my business cards, but this cardholder from Orox is my new favourite! It's perfect to use when I don't want to carry lots of cards with me, and I can also store a few notes inside for when I don't want to take my usual size wallet.

I've been looking for a camera strap for some time, and this one really fits the bill! It's classic in design, easy to install and comfortable to carry. It's all I could have wanted!

Check out the extensive range of Orox products here- I am loving the iPhone 6 case and this neon pink pouch!

Citus cord minders, cardholder and camera strap c/o Orox.

Photos: Orox Leather/Author's Own

Fashion Spotlight: Mo Bacchus Designs

I came across Mo Bacchus Designs on Twitter and immediately fell in love with her cuff bracelets. Mo shares with us why she loves making accessories and what inspires her in the creative process. Hope you find her as interesting as I do!

"I decided to do a fashion and design course in how to design develop and learn the different aspects of the business. I stumbled on accessories when it was required as part of my course.  I started making up little cloth bags for presents and then one day a friend said you need to start selling these.

I started at Portobello fashion market which was probably the most amazing place to be in the 90s until 2005.  I started with a small bag of scrap leather which I paid £4 for and some scrap fabric. I made bags up which people paid for!  After about two years I came up with a slouch bag that gained a lot of kudos. In fact I had a lot of girls from America come to my stand specifically to buy this bag. Press and whole orders from around the world followed. The kudos though, masked my inexperience."

What inspired you to start designing?
It seemed like a natural progression as I've been making clothes since I was a little girl.  I was taught to sew knit and crotchet as child.

What is the process behind your creations?
I wish I was disciplined enough to have a process. I kind of potter around for a bit and decide in an instinct what leather I'm using and for which style of bag. I prefer to play around with leather before I sketch, but I'm not wedded to a formula.

What designs are you currently working on? 
I have a top handle bag that I'm working on. On this piece I do have to exert some discipline!

Who would you love to see wearing some of your pieces? 
I like looking at people who have a strong sense of self and style. That's the kind of person I love seeing carrying one my bags.

What advice can you offer to someone who is thinking starting their own business? 
Be very disciplined with book keeping, set sales targets, roll your sleeves up and believe in the impossible.  

What are your plans for your business over the next year? 
Next year is about expanding the customer base and starting my own little factory.

Check out Mo's Etsy store here.

Fashion Spotlight: Katherine Jetter

Katherine Jetter

I love looking at gorgeous pieces of jewellery so I'm really glad I've found the designs from Katherine Jetter!

Gemologist and fine jewelry designer Katherine Jetter has made it her personal mission to restore the Australian opal to its rightful place, in the limelight and in the hearts and minds of fine jewelry aficionados everywhere. Distinguishing her work through years of experience, Jetter incorporates the iridescent gemstone of her homeland into stunning one-of-a-kind pieces, paired with other precious stones. Whether working with opals or other bespoke rare gemstones, such as her latest collection of pink diamonds, Jetter moves beyond the classic arrangements, creating sophisticated and fashion-forward pieces.

She comes by her passion naturally. Born in Melbourne, Australia to a Greek-Australian mother and a German father, she spent much of her youth in England, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, and now resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Creative from an early age, young Katherine was awarded the top International Baccalaureate Art Prize for the Northern Hemisphere (2001) while attending SevenOaks School in Kent, UK. Her parents applauded her accomplishment with a small striking blue opal from her homeland for which she created a simple elegant ring setting.  This petite stone started her appreciation of the Australian opal and planted a seed.  She went on to acquire a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from University College of London and work in finance at JP Morgan, eventually returning to her roots and her first love, the rare gemstones of her homeland.

Jetter then studied at the renowned Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and became certified as a graduate gemologist and jewelry designer, going on to work for De Beers and other high-end jewelers in Europe and America. The first piece she created after launching Katherine Jetter Ltd. in 2008 was her signature Flower Ring, which she entered into the Couture Design Awards (considered “the Oscars” of the fine jewelry industry). Her nomination there as Best New Designer, led to her line being picked up by Neiman Marcus, who now serves as her exclusive U.S. department store, accompanied by select high-end independent jewelry shops, as well as fine jewelry stores in Russia and China. Since then, the Katherine Jetter collection has grown every year by an astounding 100 percent.

Jetter continues to make time to study the gemology behind the stone. Known as the ambassador of Australian opal in the U.S. Jetter has been going into opal mines since she was 18, earning the trust of the miners to protect the integrity of their treasures.  She has thus been granted unprecedented access to some of the most remarkable opals to come out of Australian mines in recent years including a 306-carat black opal, The Royal One, valued at $3 million. The opal is not just Australia’s national gemstone, she says, it is also an essential part of the collective culture, history and identity of her country.

Jetter has her sights on another spectacular Australian gemstone – as seen with her new Argyle Couture Pink Diamond Collection. Only 12 to 20 pink diamonds one carat or above come out of the Argyle mine each year and it is projected to be completely mined out by 2020, further increasing the stone’s value. Jetter’s designs for this haute couture collection are truly collectors’ items with prices starting just below $100,000.

Indeed Jetter’s jewelry resides in a very unique space.  By incorporating rare gemstones into innovative fine jewelry designs, her work invokes a sophistication that appeals to a discerning clientele.  As this young designer at 31 years of age continues to grow, only time will tell what’s next on her radar of rare, natural stones.

Check out some of the beautiful pieces below:

Clockwise: Aquamarine and Bronze earrings, Lava Bead and Opal Necklace, North Star Studs, Femme Fatale Opal Ring.