ENCHANTED POMEGRANATES . & . B O N I T A . B A N A N A S

Created especially for a cultural exchange pop-up event in Hankyu Department Store, Osaka, this mini collection was designed in response to an "identity box' sent to me by my exchange partner, Japanese fashion brand RBTCXO. Amongst the pile of objects & ephemera in the box was a small dried pomegranate, a large stuffed patchwork banana, an iridescent vinyl wristband, some monochrome drawings of birds and a bag of assorted googly eyes. Though literally a mixed bag of components, I translated these motifs in to a collection of enchanted fruit adornments in a classic Rosita Bonita mould, but incorporated new-to-me materials to reflect RBTXCO's playful and textural designs. Natural meets unnatural, soft meets hard, matt meets high shine, beauty meets humour and tradition meets the future.

Pomegranates in dappled pink & red leather are printed with shimmering holographic foil, bursting with magical seeds in a bewitching bright blue. Mixed with sculpted silk blooms, a patchwork of leaves in stiffened silk, soft leather, and iridescent vinyl, these enchanted fruits become a range of highly wearable necklaces & earrings to suit day or night.

Bunches of bonita bananas in collaged yellow & blue leathers, printed with streaks of shiny gold, little birds etched in to pearl lucite with tiny coloured beaks, and mother of pearl & glass beady eyes complete this range of novelty lux jewellery.