Good Timing (for once!)

Having been totally useless at updating, my second post comes rather appropriately (and I'm afraid to say by total coincidence) on the first day of London Jewellery week.
So, instead of me bringing you stories of Swarovski from Goldsmiths Hall, I will instead be chatting celebrity collaborations in the form of Roberta Freymann by Olivia Palermo. Olivia is the obligatory bad girl in MTV reality (I use the term loosely) series, The City. The show documents the self-described 'social'(evidently, short for socialite) bitch her way up to the role of accessories editor at Elle magazine.
In between all of the working, filming and um, socialising, it seems Olivia has had time to create a range of necklaces for designer Roberta Freymann.





Now, credit where credit is due, the necklaces (there's 5 of them in total) are beautiful. They sit well with the rest of Roberta's work, and seem to correspond with Palermo's love of pattern and texture. However, the part I can't get away with is the fact they are inspired by and named after certain area's of the stars favourite cities.
Granted, I haven't been to Berlin, but on inspection of the 'Mitte' necklace I am more inclined to think of some exotic beach paradise, with its rich emerald green tones, soft lines and chunky faceted stone/sequin combo.








I can kind of see that the sharper shapes in the 'Tribeca' necklace, and classic neutral tones in the Paris-inspired piece reflect certain aspects of the cities personalities, but really I find the whole concept a little pretentious and unnecessary.

Call me a cynic, but do we honestly believe Olivia was meandering through Le Marais musing over the sights, sounds and style of the area whilst carefully crafting this necklace in her mind? Thought not.
These necklaces are pretty, they're fashionable and they are probably well-made, but at £150 a pop and for a piece that will more than likely be at the bottom of my jewellery box next season, I say thanks, but no thanks.


Especially when I can get a similar version from Lebeado for a mere £22!



Our black bib necklace. Inspired of course, by Newcastle's notorious Bigg Market!


What are you views on celebrity/designer collaborations? Do you see them as a chance to emulate an icon or reckcon they're just a shameless stab at yet more self-promotion (hypocrite, me?) on the so-called 'celebs' part?


Also check out the lovely Sarah modelling our necklace on her blog over at http://sarah-scribbles.blogspot.com/

Introductions.

Always the best place to start I think!

Whenever I read books, articles, blogs and even trashy magazines, I always find myself wondering just who wrote them? I mean, what do they look like? where did they write? what inspired them? Mostly this is just me being nosey, but I also think it's nice to get a bit more of an insight into the words you read. It helps you to understand, form opinions, maybe even learn something.

So on that note, welcome to Lebeado...





An Aladdin's Cave, old fashioned sweet shop (but with beads!) jewellery store, bead shop... whatever you'd like to call it. This is my home for 5 days a week, and what a lovely home it is.



Most of my time is spent here, not quite as impressive as our Moroccan beading table (which interestingly, used to be a lightshade) but just as comfy. Here I work on our website, press, organise stock and see to any other little jobs that crop up. The brains behind the beads maybe? Ask my manager.



I share the basement with lots of beautiful beads and jewellery, from every corner of the world (and on the odd day, our cheeky labrador Jemimah)

I may not have a window, fancy office, coffee machine or colleagues to chat to, but I do get to dress up in diamonds and pearls anytime I want, surely that's any girls dream job?!


Tell me more about you, where you write and how it helps or hinders you....