MERLE O'GRADY:London-based Merle O'Grady's perspex necklaces and featherweight earrings have been a big hit with the city's sartorialists.
Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine sported her Spike ring in a recent In Style editorial, while fashion chameleon Rihanna has also been spotted wearing her Aztec-inspired chandelier earrings in clear acrylic.
This season’s palette of whites and blues will work well with sportswear styles.
Merle O’Grady’s work is available at Rebecca Davis, 01-7645694, rebeccadavis.com, and also at merleogrady.com
RACHEL MCK
Belfast-based Rachel McKnight’s hand-crafted contemporary jewellery has a strong fashion focus. The 20-something rocks a sci-fi colour scheme and her acrylic rod bangles have been picked up by Paul Smith, who sells them in his Park Street store in London.
McKnight’s larger format gallery pieces will show at the Sculpture, Objects and Functional Art Exhibition in New York in April.
Rachel MCK is available at Red Aesthetic, Kilkenny, 056-7765526; High Lanes Gallery, Drogheda, 041-9803311 and Space Craft, Belfast, 048-90329342
MELISSA CURRY
Melissa Curry has three strong collections: romantic peaches and cream in soft aquamarine, mint or champagne crystals; a second story inspired by the sea using white coral and fossilised, volcanic stone; and a third story inspired by cinema’s leap forward into 3D.
Her “magic beads” offer three different ways to wear the one necklace and change colour in the light. All pieces carry her signature silver disc.
Curry is stocked in Havana, Dublin 4, 01-2602707; Kilkenny Shop, Dublin 2, 01-6777066; Kalu, Naas, Co Kildare, 045- 896222; Ju Ju, Greystones, Co Wicklow, 01-2016723; and Gladys, Tullamore, Co Offaly, 057-9341516
EVE ELLA
Yvonne Ryan of Eve Ella trained with Alan Ardiff before going out on her own. She works in precious metals and stones and recycles as much metal as she can. Her unicorn cascade pendant is one of her signature pieces, while more recent editions include contemporary bracelets with children’s names.
Edgier fans might prefer her leopard-print gold nail ring, which ticks two spring/summer 2010 trend boxes – the ongoing appeal of leopard print and decorative nails – in one wear.
Eve Ella is available from eveella.com
