Ornella IANNUZZI

Ornella Iannuzzi is an award-winning artist jeweller creating mainly one-of-a-kind pieces of high end jewellery. Using a wide range of natural and precious materials, her work is characterised by harmonious composition of colours and textures, with a certain attraction for the unusual. She creates complex and sculptural eye-catching shapes that appear to have occurred naturally. Unusual settings are her forte and each suits the featured gem which can be cut, rough or hand-carved. Her style is highly distinctive & powerful and it combines the souls of high fashion and avant-garde into incredibly adventurous pieces that are decidedly individualistic and dramatic.

“French jeweller Ornella Iannuzzi is unlike other jewellers. While many say they are inspired by nature, none do it quite like Ornella. Don’t expect pretty posies or girlie whips of blossom as Ornella prefers to look at the awe-inspiring, all-powerful, thundering, erupting and exploding earth-shifting forces of Nature. Born in the Alps, you can feel the raw power of Nature that must have impressed a young Ornella as she gazed at the majestic mountains that dwarf all around them. Ornella turns her fascination with the genesis of the planet into jewels that are miniature landscapes.” F.Times

 
           ornella-iannuzzi.com

Cristóbal BALENCIAGA

 

 

Born in the Basque region of Spain, Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895 - 1972) was apprenticed to a tailor from the age of 12. In 1914 he opened the House of Balenciaga in San Sebastian, where most of his clients were aristocrats. After the Spanish monarchy was deposed in the 1930s, Balenciaga moved to Paris. Here he became known for dramatic black coats and dresses which recalled Spanish fashions of the Elizabethan age.

Balenciaga was an extremely private man who gave few interviews. He is often called a 'designer's designer', since some knowledge of tailoring is needed to fully appreciate his clothes. He preferred to work with firm, stiff fabrics which gave his clothing a sculptural appearance. His 1960 sack dress was much copied by other designers.
The House of Balenciaga, typical of the Paris fashion world, had many wealthy customers. However, it was severely challenged in the 1960s, as fashionable young people bought ready-to-wear clothing instead of couture. Symbolically, Balenciaga closed down his fashion house in 1968, a year of violent political protests in Paris. Nonetheless, in training both Courrèges and Ungaro, Balenciaga continued to influence radically different 1960s fashion.


http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/cristobal-balenciaga/

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

HAM HOUSE and GARDEN

What a unique place to walk around

One of a series of grand houses and palaces alongside the River Thames, Ham House and Garden impressed in its day and continues to do so today.
Rich in history and atmosphere, it is mainly the vision of Elizabeth Murray, Countess of Dysart, who was deeply embroiled in the politics of the English Civil war and subsequent restoration of the monarchy.
Through the centuries Ham has survived war, fashion and neglect to retain a uniquely mysterious aura. Some visitors even claim that it is haunted by the ghosts of its past residents.
Today Ham House and Garden stand as one of Europe’s greatest 17th-century houses.

More information available   http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house/?p=1356329457401

 

Andrew GRIMA

Andrew GRIMA

Andrew Grima (31 May 1921 – 26 December 2007) was an Anglo-Italian artisan and designer who became known as a creator of modern British Royal jewellery. His clients included members of the British royal family, as well as Barbara Hepworth and Jacqueline Onassis. Notable pieces include Queen Elizabeth II's ruby brooch, as well as a brooch of lichen cast in gold for Princess Margaret.

 
http://www.grimajewellery.com/about.php

OCKENDEN MANOR

Gorgeous Elizabethan house in beautiful Sussex village called Cuckfield. It is tucked away peacefully corner of the village and surrounded by acres of grounds, with fantastic views across the West Sussex countryside to the South Downs. As soon as you enter there is a fantastic bar on your left with cosy low ceilings and as you walk straight elegant drawing room is waiting for you. There’s also a private dining room with original Tudor ceilings which is out of this world!

Finally yes there is a Michelin-starred restaurant also waiting for you! Under the expert guidance of Head Chef, Stephen Crane, the Restaurant serves some of the finest food in southern England incorporating the freshest ingredients, sourced locally in Sussex whenever possible.


http://www.hshotels.co.uk/ockenden-manor-hotel-and-spa/dining

PETERSHAM NURSERIES

Petersham Nurseries a local garden centre, was carved out of the Petersham House grounds in the 1970's.
At the turn of the century, the business was bought by Gael and Francesco Boglione who have, with their family, lived in the adjoining Petersham House since 1997. After extensive restoration works the nurseries re-opened in 2004 completely transformed. Furniture, gifts and antiques were suddenly found amongst the plants adorned throughout the greenhouses and in a ramshackle wooden teahouse pastries and homemade cakes were on offer.
In the summer of 2004, Gael and Francesco decided to open a casual and charming restaurant, Petersham Nurseries Cafe, with Skye Gyngell installed as head chef.
The intervening years saw the business grow and flourish as Petersham Nurseries developed an international reputation and built a loyal customer base. Gael and Francesco have cultivated the space, demonstrating an innate ability for recognising and drawing out the beauty in the simplest of things. The seeds planted by the couple have allowed a family business to bloom. In the last years Gael and Francesco have taken a step back from the business allowing their children, the next generation, to forge a bright future for the Nurseries and the Petersham offshoots.


http://petershamnurseries.com/

Photography by Uma Turan

Image from Telegraph website

Photography by Uma Turan

Photography by Uma Turan

Image by Keiko O

MARVELLOUS CLOUDS OF SCOTLAND

 

Travelling through clouds

 

                                                       
                                                            Travelling through blue

                                                      
                                                            Travelling through time

 Travelling through light

 

and love...

 

All my photographs inspired me how they inspired my favourite Scottish artist Samuel John Peploe (Scottish, 1871 - 1935)

 

 

Peploe is one of the group of four artists known as the 'Scottish Colourists.' Born in Edinburgh, he studied art in Paris and lived there from 1910 to 1912. It was through painting holidays in Northern France that he was introduced to the use of bold colour, inspired by the bright sunlight. He later experienced the same intensity of light while painting on the island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland. French painting proved to be a powerful influence for Peploe throughout his life. Although his work never became abstract, it was characterised by tight composition, strong colour and assured handling.

Fore further information  http://www.nationalgalleries.org/collection/322/P/3623/artist_name/Samuel%20John%20Peploe/)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/scottish-landscape-124852