This is a neck piece given to me by my Secret Santa (Lynn Stevens!) for the 52WoC Holiday Fun Swap 2008. It’s one of the Handmade Jewelry by Christine Newville Gartler.

I love the intricate design, combining beads, stones, and chain. It takes a real talented person to come up with a design such as this one. This is a good example why going for indie fashion accessories is a great thing. Apart from being stylish, you can be sure that you’re getting something unique and interesting!

Handmade Jewelry by Christine Newville Gartler makes use of elements in her pieces:

Vintage and Imported Beads
Natural Stones

All are original designs and are custom-made.

You can reach her via this contact number: 773.392.2607 (I think she’s from Chicago, US — did a Google search but I think she’s not online).

Photo © 2009 Sasha Manuel

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Handmade Jewelry by Christine Newville Gartler

I think I introduced you folks to Claire Suzy Stannard, Aussie Indie Designer (yea, Australia, mate!) and here’s one of her pieces that captured my fancy. It’s the Bronze and Silver Neckwrap.

The ultimate neckpiece. For a street-y cool look or simple elegance in the evening. Incredibly versatile. Antique bronze box chain & Sterling Silver.

I’m actually looking to get one of these. And I reckon wearing my Vintage Pearl and Rose necklace earlier this evening had me thinking more about necklaces and other potential neck pieces I could get a hold of in the future. I sure would love a bit of everything in my fashion plate. I want variety.

Bronze and Silver Neckwrap, $45.

Image: Stannard Inc Accessories by Claire Suzy Stannard

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I Heart Neckwraps

My trek into the world of Australian Indie Fashion keeps getting more and more interesting. I keep finding gorgeous pieces on each effort of searching. It’s very fulfilling. This time around is an indie accessory designer, Simone Walsh, wow-ing us with her handmade jewelry.

One of the pieces that stood out in my book is the Picture Frame Pendant.

This beautiful Victorian-inspired picture frame pendant has been intricately cut out by hand from sterling silver.

The centre of the rectangular frame is left empty, allowing your skin or clothing to show through the cut out sections of the pendant. The pendant has a brushed but shiny finish and it has a light weight to it.

The pendant is suspended from a sterling silver chain which has been blackened and then polished to provide a graduated finish, which is both darker than the pendant but also shiny. The chain features handmade findings.

The beauty of handmade items is the fact that you can be assured that it’ll be unique. I want one! If only I’ll be around longer. Sigh.

Picture Frame Pendant, $68.

Image: Handmade Jewellery by Simone Walsh

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Handmade Jewellery by Simone Walsh

Persian Peacock Earrings

Gorgeous iridescent peacock feathers teamed with elegant Persian scroll motif. Wear with the lastest shimmering royal blue, purple or green eyeshadow for a stunning look! Gold plated earhooks.

These are from an Australian indie accessory designer, Claire Suzy Stannard. Gorgeous isn’t it? Another one of the great finds as I explore the local indie fashion scene.

I’m also looking to get me some hair accents either in feather or floral or combined, among other things. If you’re following my other fashion blogs (Tops 2 Bottoms and Style Manila), you would’ve noticed just how much shopping I’ve managed to do since I got here December last year!

Persian Peacock Earrings, $53.

Image: Stannard Inc Accessories by Claire Suzy Stannard

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Accessorise in Plumage

Be still, my heart!

It’s quite fantastic that there are indie designers out here that can come up with such elaborate yet is still quietly elegant.

My Heart Is Yours Necklace, $130.

A vintage glass chandelier heart rests on a skeleton shell surrounded by pearls, swarovski crystals and tiny metal flowers. A beautiful bold statement necklace. Strictly limited edition.

High Tide Pearl Earrings, $70.

These loop earrings look really striking on every woman. The generous amount of shell chips contrasts perfectly with the delicate chains and swarovski crystal. A single pearl glows in the centre.

Dear PsychGlam,

Now your fan,
Sasha

About Emma

Designer Emma Hyatt creates each individual Psychoglam piece by hand, in her Invermay studio. She draws inspiration from a mixture of the lush bushland surrounding her, and the high fashion she adores. Emma is a mixture of a hippy, a punk and a princess- traits that are evident in her designs.

Emma has a background in marketing and enjoys every aspect of directing the Psychoglam brand. She creates two collections a year both with very different themes that stay alive all seasons and in which new pieces are constantly added.

Images: PsychoGlam by Emma Hyatt

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My Heart Is Yours

It’s always fascinating to find different sorts of designs for accessories esp ones that are unique to a particular country that you may or may not have been to (some interesting ones are all seen online, anyway!). And Mainichi accessories are great sources of fascination.

An Australian Indie Accessory Designer, Dearne, had founded the precious Mainichi. ‘Mainichi’ translates from Japanese as “everyday”.

I learned that many of the materials used in the accessories are recycled, found or vintage, which means that each piece is truly one of a kind. Some of the designer’s favourite materials to use in making these jewelry are plastics, recycled leather offcuts, hemp and linen thread, recycled timbers, polypropylene sheet, bamboo, recycled and vintage fabrics, Japanese kimono silks, rubber, etc. Interesting choices, don’t you agree?

In photos are: (topmost) Oishii Plastic Necklace in Green, $21; (right) Shinzo Felt Necklace, $64 (custom-make, made-to-order).

Images: Mainichi @ ETSY

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The Mainichi Fascination

Another unique find in the Australian Indie Fashion scene is Surface Art.

Surface Art produces a range of fabric designs mainly in 100% cotton that can be used for home wares, furnishings and clothing.

All the fabrics and prints they make are proudly Australian.

I love their Summer collection. It’s very fun and bright. I particularly like DOTTO, Kinomi (on dresses), Dispersal and Mikko (on tees), Bed Feather and Doov (on fabrics by metre).

It’s actually a fabulous idea to make the fabrics available to the public. This way you are encouraging them to create their own clothing style (something I’d look into since I like experimenting on different prints and fabrics plus making my own clothes would be a fun thing to do!) OR use them fabrics on pillow cases or bed sheets. Way cool!

I reckon Surface Art is worth a look esp if you’re into the whole DIY fashion and home decor. See the list of Stockists.

About Moyra Proudfoot

Moyra Proudfoot studied textile design in Scotland and after working for a well known Australian artist decided to set up Surface Art in 2002. She has a love of printed fabric and creates a range of prints that are contemporary in design using her influences of Japanese art, fifties and sixties design and photographs of nature. She believes that the simple use of shapes balanced with colour can achieve effective pieces of design.

Image: Surface Art

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Store Spotlight: Surface Art

Another one of the Australian Indie labels I came across, Bethany Joy is a celebration of beauty, artistic vision, luxury, and femininity. And they cater to women who adore the feeling of silk against their skin, stunning design details, and flattering cuts.

It’s actually a great break from the usual contemporary designs. Bethany Joy reminds me of the romance you often feel with period films. It certainly has that vintage feel.

Bethany Joy has a new collection out, Dainty Dish (as in photo) for the Spring-Summer 2009.

Image: Bethany Joy

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Celebrate Your Artistic Vision with Bethany Joy

Contemporary cotton fabric and vintage kimono fabric sourced from Japan are used to make these shirts and other apparel being sold in the Store. Shirt prices range from AUD $99 – $125.

The Yoshi Jones store is at 134 King St, Newtown (near the intersection of King St & Missendon Rd). If I’m guessing it right, this is in Sydney. Feel free to correct me, the article I came across wasn’t entirely specific, I guess the writer (and even the Yoshi Jones site!) was primarily addressing locals and automatically assumed all the readers will know where Newton is.

Anyway, Yoshi Jones offers stuff for women, too.

You can check out this article for a bit more information on Yoshi Jones or you can check the YJ website directly.

Image: Indie.com.au

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Yoshi Jones, Vintage for Men

Browsing through designs that are heavily influenced by East meeting West, I had a hard time choosing just one so I ended up picking out four (4) favourites of the lot. Mind you, the decision wasn’t easy.

KISU Red Leaves Dress

You’ll notice how Japanese accents are prominent in the designs. I love this Red Leaves Dress most.

Red Leaves Dress, $99.

KISU Red Rose Dress

I’m currently obsessing about floral prints and patterns. I like the prairie look, I guess. It’s very feminine and I like how its quiet chic-ness. This particular design is getting quite popular. The Red Rose Dress mimics a high-waist skirt + blouse outfit combo.

Red Rose Dress, $119.

KISU Jasmine Dress

You can also see the contemporary designs and trends being incorporated like in this Jasmine dress. It’s their version of the boyfriend dress, me thinks.

Jasmine Dress, $139.

KISU Wild Cherry Hood Top and Red Dragon Skirt

I really don’t know why I’m so fascinated with hoodies. I guess I love how it looks young and casual, something you can use to style into an Urban outfit. I’m also looking into investing in more skirts and this one takes home the cake. I think it’s very unique.

Wild Cherry Hood Top, $59.
Red Dragon Skirt, $89.

Images: KISU Designs

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Store Spotlight: KISU Designs by Mylinh