Ho ho ho... I laugh at my own clever wit with the title of this post. I'm SURE nobody has ever thought of that one! Terrible word play aside, the truth is in the title as I can attest to Natalia Brilli's brilliance. I've met the woman, seen her at work, seen her teach/mentor and also looked at the goods. The whole shebang. Together with her partner Lionel Vandenbemden, Natalia Brilli as a brand has carved out a niche for itself in accessories. A jeweller that I interviewed pointed out a very salient truth about jewellery; that the collections don't need to change or run with trends like fashion and in that way there can be a very distinct and sometimes obvious signature. In other words, there is nothing wrong with repetition.
In Brilli's case, it's leather and lots of it! Covering beads in a taut fashion, a trademark has been formed. For her new collection the leather changes up in palette into yellow, metallicised olive/navy, forest green and a bright blue, inspired by photos of bacteria, which also lends itself to the clusters of circular formations. Other key details though come through in the knitted leather, twisted strands, both sharp and soft feathers and leather that has been chemically treated so that it is speckled and shiny.
For men, the constant literal plays continue and there's even less of a trend infiltration. Afterall why ruin a good thing when you have objects like the wildly successful 'Nolex'. Also here lies my new source of tasteful all-rounder gifts....the grown up version of the gift vouchers I used to buy for people I hadn't a clue to buy for... oh well so much for Christmas surprises.
wow! i really love the accessories especially the cuff link bracelet and leather necklace.
Posted by: Jen | 23 October 2008 at 22:58
Gorgeous! Especially the blue necklace, and those bags! So great!
Posted by: Becca | 23 October 2008 at 22:59
Again with the "original" wordplay: lovely leather!
Posted by: KD | 23 October 2008 at 23:12
her materials are amazing!!
the textures & colors are surprisingly earthy
& i absolutely adooooooooore the laptop case
great blog, dahhling!
Posted by: clairegrenade | 23 October 2008 at 23:19
Love all the solid color accessories!!
Posted by: Hailey | 23 October 2008 at 23:52
Oh god, how I love that knitted leather!
Posted by: hek | 24 October 2008 at 01:02
This is absolutely superb! While the mens' accessories are really fun and contemporary , the chunky silver neck pieces are very classic and really resonate with my South Asian aesthetic sensibilities.
Very cool.
Posted by: Pavitra | 24 October 2008 at 03:01
This is absolutely superb! While the mens' accessories are really fun and contemporary , the chunky silver neck pieces are very classic and really resonate with my South Asian aesthetic sensibilities.
Very cool.
Posted by: Pavitra | 24 October 2008 at 03:02
o gosh! thank you for this. i love her stuff. but im too poor to be able to afford any of it right now...
i hate the american economy right now
Posted by: Prêt à Porter P | 24 October 2008 at 03:33
Ooh, that yellow necklace's just gorgeous! I've signed up to be notified when online shopping becomes available, love the collections!
Posted by: Brigadeiro | 24 October 2008 at 04:06
They are fantastical. I'm totally with you.
Posted by: Songy | 24 October 2008 at 09:00
I'm loving the mens line - and you're right, so perfect for Xmas gifts - do you know when/where they go on sale? I really wanna get some!!
Posted by: Carl Starling | 24 October 2008 at 09:26
Cool! I'll have that yellow necklace and one of the black feather neckpieces please!
Posted by: missmilki | 24 October 2008 at 13:31
Damn. I'd give my right arm for that yellow necklace.
Posted by: Sal | 24 October 2008 at 15:15
Natalia Brilli makes work that causes me to gasp. Each one is like a tiny artwork...and the leather transforms them into such fetishized objects!
Posted by: zana | 24 October 2008 at 18:01
wow... these are incredible! i love the audaciousness of it all...
Posted by: lady coveted | 24 October 2008 at 18:01
i love those feathery earrings...and the mens accessories are so different...i wonder if she does anything like that for womens purses.
Posted by: Tailorstitch | 24 October 2008 at 21:05
Why didn't I get the deerhead handbag, Susue? It's the mistake of a lifetime. SHit!
Posted by: Sister Wolf | 25 October 2008 at 22:17
Ay ay... I used a similar title (though in French) for a small article I've written for a publication. It's been sent on Tuesday though. Oh well, I guess we are as clever!
Posted by: Dahlia | 26 October 2008 at 01:41
i love the braiding on those...fantastic. i want one of the bracelets so badly.
Posted by: kk | 26 October 2008 at 13:01
mmm... loving the feather pieces...
Posted by: evie | 27 October 2008 at 11:13
I'm going to try to make that feather choker.
Posted by: Jael | 31 October 2008 at 16:13