A Perth design student has taken inspiration from the retro fashions of Mad Men and Peaky Blinders to create a collection of hand crafted jewellery, which will go on display later this week.
Emma Millar (23), is studying 3D design at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, and will showcase her work as part of the annual Degree Show which runs from June 18 to 25.
The former Perth Grammar School pupil, who has named her brand E-mmazing Designs, based her jewellery on her love for vintage and retro styles in fashion and interiors.
“I focused on the repetition of patterns and use of bold block colours specifically in 1950-60s styles,” she said. “I developed forms from these repeated patterns and created three set collections with each piece a variation on one original hand drawn design.
“I then began to develop my designs looking at how to create appropriate layering in my metals and intricate details to draw the viewer and wearer in. I want people to be able to appreciate jewellery as a handmade piece of art work, to be able to connect with a piece knowing it has been 100% handmade.
“Therefore I only wanted to use traditional hand making techniques, no computer or machine aids at all.”
Emma has used a mix of copper and silver to make up the main forms of her pieces, adding hidden enamelled sections to the men’s collections. These bright flashes of colour can then be seen through intricately hand pierced out detailing on the front of the pieces.
She said: “I set out to challenge myself. As this is the first full jewellery collection I have produced, I wanted to push the basic skills I have as well as teach myself something new.
“These pieces are designed to be admired from afar but are very different when you get up close and see all the colour and detailing. I also gave myself the challenge of creating all my own jewellery fixings which allow every piece to slide on and off the clothing or body in a way that it leaves no traces of being there, unlike normal brooch pins or tight earring or tie clips.”
Emma said she is pleased at how the collection has turned out although she ran into a few issues along the way while making the pieces.
She added: “My time at Gray’s has been a bit of a journey, but overall it has been an enjoyable experience and I have met many interesting and talented people.
“I am hopeful that after I graduate I will be able to take up a junior jeweller or bench assistant position. I still have a lot to learn as a jeweller but I am dedicated to this as my craft."
The Gray’s School of Art Degree Show, which is sponsored by BP for the thirteenth year, runs from June 18 to 25 and will showcase work by students of all disciplines. To find out more, visit www.rgu.ac.uk/degreeshow