Quoil

Jennifer Braithwaite

Formally trained with an MA from Central St Martins School of Fashion in London, I have a love of fashion and couture garments. I have produced work for London fashion week and have worked for numerous prestigious fashion labels.

"Jewellery is an extension of my fashion background. My inspiration lies in the use of materials and the manipulation of something to make it wearable. I am constantly questioning the drape of a garment and the way something fits to the body."

"This is the path that has lead me to jewellery."

All that Glitters 2008

"It started with the idea of shadows of jewellery," she says. "I'm kind of concept based and I like a strong idea rather than pretty jewellery, so I tried to think of the essence of a necklace, of jewellery - simplified right down to its shape." The result is a striking, utterly contemporary style based around the shapes and outlines of traditional pieces - each a single, laser-cut piece that is flexible, clean- edged and tactile. Even the clasps are part of the leather - no metal here. "I'm a bit of a purist. I like that the clasp is a part of the silhouette," she says.

In Braithwaite's latest collection, All that Glitters, the gold and silver leather forms are a further play on what we tend to think of as jewellery, following on from earlier work in black leather.

. Diamante Bow necklace $430

. Art Deco necklace $430

. Sweeties 2 $250

. Sweeties 1 $250

JB27. Gold chain $450

JB21. Silver diamante cluster $430

JB19. Necklace - Three strands $195

JB18. Necklace - Three strands with bows $200