This Summer I went back to my roots on a vacation in the gorgeous island of Sardegna. I spend every summer here and the idyllic waters and coastline are a depth of inspiration to me and leave me wanting to go back every summer.
When I want to discover some local crafts, I visit the nearby picturesque town of Casterlsardo. Here you can see old ladies sitting outside their houses weaving straw baskets using traditional techniques. These baskets will hold water and not leak!
Now back in London, I am excited about my new Autumn Winter Collection which has now launched and is available in our Notting Hill Boutique as well as some of our exclusive stores. Have a look at the new collection in the Fortnum and Mason’s beautiful jewellery room! It is s favourite London Landmark Store and the selection they have is beautiful. The Oriental ring with brown diamonds is one of my favourite designs of the season. It is easy to wear everyday and will ensure it makes a statement.
If you are passing by Casterlsardo
The best place to eat is…
La Guardiola. Set on a terrace beneath the old castle is has a fabulous view. Enjoy very fresh seafood and local specialities while admiring the coastline.
My signature dish when in Sardegna is…
Seadas. A desert made with local cheese and honey.
No visit is complete without seeing…
Visiting the old town and catching a glimpse of the old ladies still hand weaving baskets.
A great interview with Tessa in this months Notting Hill and Holland Park Magazine:
“I am a belIever in horoscopes,” whispers Tessa Grazzini. Her ethereal voice matches her look; thin bracelets and gemstones twinkle and dangle around her wrists and her
long straight hair falls against pretty delicate features. I nod in agreement. Flipping through newspapers and matching up my life to the prediction that
I should get ready to “earn applause when the moon trines Jupiter”, or that I am “standing at the threshold of a new cycle of growth and opportunity where anything can happen” is an entertaining part of my
morning. However, Tessa looks slightly further than daily horoscope columns, she bases her jewellery line assya on the constellations and cosmos. “I am amazed by the colours and forms of our solar system,” continues Tessa. “There is a celestial feel to gemstones; close up you can imagine seeing the surfaces of planets.” Her previous collections In the Stars and Moonlight definitely have a magical and other-worldly quality to them; taking one look at Tessa’s bejewelled hand it is as though the pink tourmalines are small sparkling stars orbiting her fingers.
However, the initial inspiration for her jewellery label is firmly routed on earth. born to Italian parents, Tessa was raised in belgium before moving to the United States; but at the age of 16 her family moved to South america where she stayed for the next 12
years of her life. “my time there has had a lot of influence on my work,” she explains. “The colours, the culture, and the texture of the fabrics are fundamental within my design ethos.” The cultural references do not stop there – after moving to london to work for estée lauder, Tessa took a trip to rajasthan with a girlfriend and came back with handfuls of beautiful gemstones from which she fashioned a small show for friends that was an immediate sell-out. “The success inspired me to take it further and so I took some classes at Central St martins in jewellery making,” says Tessa. “This gave me the confidence to quit my job, and start work on my fifth collection, which was immediately taken by london Fashion Week.”
The success of assya has grown from strength to strength; an array of delicate gold vermeil and silk- weaved bracelets, startling aqua chrysophrase droplet earrings, and finely-sculpted rings evocative of Stephen Webster, are sold in Fortnum & mason and have a large international following from austria and Switzerland, america, Germany, belgium, Italy and now China after the recent launch of the website there. This interest has allowed her to establish her own boutique on ledbury road complete with downstairs studio, perfect for constructing new collections. “I was immediately taken by the potential of the space to allow me to showcase my products as well keep an efficient workshop,” explains Tessa. “I chose Notting hill because it is a ‘destination’ place. I feel very inspired here. I love the area, and the creative atmosphere it holds definitely complements what I want my brand to be and achieve.” Whilst set up here, Tessa called in backup to support the demand of the label in the form of her sister Ninfa who takes over the business side of things. “We work well together,” says Tessa. “When I, occasionally, go a bit wild on ideas she calms me down.” I ask if bickers or sisterly competition take over the workplace, particularly since Tessa was recently shortlisted as jewellery designer of the year at the UK Watch and Jewellery awards 2014, but she assures me the atmosphere remains calm. “I think it actually helps our personal relationship because we have to work as a team and talk things over,” she adds.
In the past, frequent trips to asia, India, vietnam and Cambodia were on the agenda but looking after two young children with her fund-manager husband of seven years means it can be difficult to keep up her well- travelled imagination as much as she would like. “although, I must say that burma maintains a consistent source of inspiration within the collections,” says Tessa. “They have beautiful gemstones and so many varieties of local antique jewels.” However far afield she travels, Tessa always manages to take in the sights, sounds, colours and patterns from large architectural statements, small intricate cornices or even the people she meets. “even here in Notting Hill, the diversity of the ways in which women dress and in the way they wear things always excites me,” explains Tessa. I begin to wonder which local resident inspired the Cassiopeia necklace, which tells the story of the beautiful but arrogantly vain Queen of aethiopia.
But with all this activity Tessa still leaves enough time to design new collections; the more edgy and rebellious designs of her arrow Collection will be launching in a/W 2014 and for S/S 2015, the Celestial Collection will hit the shelves, which is inspired by the spectacular colours of the solar system. For the latter, the stones will be uniquely cut in a triangle shape, with a distinctive pallette of rutilated gold and aquamarine, which Tessa hopes will create the celestial feeling of iridescence. This unwavering acquiescence to the heavens constantly has me in awe as I look at the sparkling displays of bejewelled solar systems lining the assya boutique. “We are in an era now where everything seems so fast moving and commercial,” says Tessa. “[assya] holds a subtle perspective of what’s really out there and reminds us that we are part of a larger picture.”
One of the biggest jewellery trends visible on the AW14 catwalk was the dark glamour of ancient cultures, taking inspiration from Asian, Persian and African designs. The mixture of materials: pearl, crystals and chains, created lavish designs rich in texture and narrative. Designers inspired by the past opulence created pieces of contemporary glamour. Balmain’s Bamboo earrings and african inspired choker referenced a mash-up of hip-hop style and safari chic, while at Versace medallions took centre stage, jangling of cuffs and forming the centre piece for body jewellery.
Versace
Balmain
Lavin
Lavin
The seed for the idea for Assya’s AW14 Arrow collection came from the ornate jewelled arrows and daggers from ancient civilizations, particulary the Topkapi Emerald dagger, a magnificent jewelled dagger that was made in 1747. The contradiction of beauty and violence inspired Tessa to create pieces that were rebellious but simultaneously sophisticated and chic.
Arrow inspiration
Assya’s Arrow collection aspires to assert the individual and the unique.
Rebellious chic with spiky sophistication, the arrow collection is Assya’s most cutting edge collection yet.
The collection shows the signature ribbed design in a more delicate form, finely set with white diamonds, brown diamonds and coloured gemstones.
White diamonds are set in black rhodium on rose gold vermeil to create a sharp contrast whilst brown diamonds and pink tourmaline are set on gold vermeil. Vibrant multi-coloured stones are set in black rhodium and gold vermeil.
Each setting is unique in its beauty and will give a different allure to the wearer.
Gold Vermeil & Brown Diamond Short Arrow Earrings, £295
Black Rhodium & Multi Gemstones Long Arrow Earrings, £245
Rose Gold Vermeil & White Diamond Arrow Pendant, £595
The inspiration behind Assya’s unique silk weaved bracelets came from the incredible colours Tessa witnessed in sunsets on her travels through Mexico.
Tessa had the desire to create a woven friendship bracelet, the kind bought on the beach on holiday, but with luxury materials. A bracelet that can be worn everyday and looks great stacked and layered with other bracelets.
This quest led Tessa to investigate ancient techniques used by the Incans and Aztecs which inspired her approach to the Silk Weaved bracelet. This was combined with an old Italian weaving technique, specialist to the region of Italy in which they are handcrafted.
And so… the Assya Silk Weaved bracelet was born, woven from sterling silver or gold vermeil chain and high quality silk, it is the embodiment of luxury.
Last week the ASSYA team took a hotly anticipated trip to Paris to showcase the new collection at Premiere Classe. It plays host to the top jewellers from all around the globe as international buyers come to scour for pieces for the next season. You can get a sneak peek at the coming collection in the photo above!
We are always on the look-out for inspiration when we are travelling, we found it in somewhere as unlikely as our hotel door, we loved the surreal and ornate throne-like illustration….could this be the inspiration for our next collection….?
We managed to squeeze in a bit of time for sightseeing and soaking up the French ambience, a welcome respite after the hectic days of the show. Spring was definitely in the air, with clear blue skies and many beautiful floral window displays!
The SS14 catwalks were alive with movement thanks to the wealth of tassels and fringing, adorning everything from dresses to capes, and bags to swimwear.
Erdem, Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein and Erdem’s approach was ladylike with a nod towards the fringed dresses of the 1920’s, while Valentino & Pucci had an exotic tribal feel.
Emilio Pucci, Altuzarra, Valentino
Accessories weren’t left out either, at Gucci bags were colourful with dramatic fringing reminiscent of the 70’s and Valentino bags also had this feel but with a glamorous edge provided by gold embellishments.
Celine, Gucci, Valentino
Over at Anya Hindmarch, the star of the show was the Geogianna clutch with oversized tassel, even Anya classics were in for a revamp with a colourful layered tassel. The Tassels are available to buy individually, perfect for adding a touch of tassel to any bag.
Anya Hindmarch
Add a touch of tassel and fringe to any outfit with Assya’s Gatsby collection, featuring a range of pieces inspired the 1920’s style combined with an old Italian weaving technique. The long tassel fringe earrings provide and touch of glamour and sophistication and are a favourite of Penny Lancaster and Abby Clancy. Or try Assya’s long silver scarf necklace, as worn by Cameron Diaz for Harpers Bazaar.
Assya Long Fringe Tassel Earrings
Penny Lancaster and Abby Clancy wearing the Assya Long Tassel Fringe Earrings
Assya Sterling Silver Scarf Necklace
Cameron Diaz for Harpers Bazaar
I wanted to share with you some moments of inspiration from my travels to Panama and of the new Spring Summer Collection.
This Christmas I returned to the vibrant and colourful country of Panama. I lived a third of my life in South America and each time I return there I am filled with excitement. The colours in nature and architecture fill my imagination. This time I visited the waterfalls of Cerro Viejo. On my hike up to the waterfalls I encountered a fabulous landscape and vegetation and saw beautiful and rare species of birds.
My new Spring Summer Collection has now launched and is available in some of our exclusive stores as well as our Notting Hill Boutique. My inspiration for this collection has been a rainbow of colours and the South American sunsets. The wrap bracelets in mouth-watering colours are a must! They are great to layer with your favoured bracelets and to give colour to any outfit. The Moonlight ring is the star of the collection and a statement piece for an ultra chic look.
And in case you get inspired too, here are a few tips on what to do in Panama:
The best place to stay is…
JW Marriot in Buenaventura. A beautiful hotel set within a laguna and moments away from a long Sandy beach
My favourite place to find inspiration is…
Buenaventura, a beautiful beach two hours from Panama City. I love walking along the long stretch of sandy beach where the only things I can see are coconut trees, sand and water. My mind clears and inspiration starts flowing in.
The best place to eat is…
Tantalo in Casco Viejo. Set within the old city the restaurant serves authentic Spanish tapas. The bar on the top floor is the place to be seen and to see! You have an amazing view of the old city as well as the whole coastline.
My signature dishes when in panama are…
Fried Plantain. I love the sweet taste of plantain mixed with grilled meat.
If you leave with only one thing, make sure to buy…
A Panama Hat!
No visit is complete without seeing…
Casco Viejo. The old town is a jewel and a feast of 16th century colonial architecture.
Assya London 