When it comes to jewellery I think it’s pretty clear I’m a magpie to the metal, be it gold, silver, rose tinted or gunmetal hued, it’s my luck and my trademark. No surprise then, that when I stumble upon a new obsession I’m quick to share, hence today’s post celebrates Astrid & Miyu, creators of jewellery that is quite literally a sculptural joy. The pieces can be layered, mixed, matched and magpie-collected and the ear cuffs are famous in their own right – especially amongst those who’ve maxed out on piercings and opt for clever adornment without the need for more needlework. I’m currently wearing four ear cuffs in mixed metals and can safely say more will follow. Founded by Connie Nam in 2012, A&M has swiftly become synonymous with contemporary British jewellery, classy with a little edge, glamorous but equally rock’n’roll, cool and VERY collectable. The name Astrid & Miyu literally means ‘beautiful’ – Astrid in Swedish and Miyu in Japanese and defines the brand aesthetic of a mix of Nordic minimalism and Japanese craftsmanship. Add to this a little London grit and the minimalist, geometric and architectural references you’ll see running through the collection and you have the essence of the woman who wears it.
Born in the US, Connie began her career in the worlds of investment banking and luxury branding, travelling extensively, gathering inspiration and finally settling in the UK to launch Astrid & Miyu. With two London shops, concessions in Selfridges, a loyal customer following AND a celebrity fan base there are exciting times ahead. Here’s The Stylish Stuff pick of the must haves, erm, there are quite a few. Happy shopping.
Definitely something to smile about. She shall have rings on her fingers; from statement cocktail pieces to teeny tiny diamanté slithers to decorate your digits. Starting from £29,wishbone ring in gunmetal; statement cocktail rings and single bands, all available from Astrid and Miyu. Starry tee, Rails.
Feeling rosy and mixing up your gilty pleasures. Tuxedo Circle Charm bracelet £39; Fine Line rose gold bangle £100; Fitzgerald ear cuffs from £39 (these are MY gilty pleasures); Fitzgerald Teardrop ear jacket £69. White lace cold shoulder top £340, MSGM from The Shop at Bluebird.
Double Trouble. When the optical illusion means less is actually more. Spiral double cuff in rose gold £85 worn with Wishbone choker in rose gold, £79. White wrap shirt, ASOS White.
The Circle Line. Slip into something more comfortable with the Fitzgerald Half Circle ear jacket £59; worn with Fitzgerald Circle ear cuffs as before. Starry tee, Rails.
Decorative Décolletage. Frame your assets in this Fine Line Frame necklace in white gold £95 worn with Fine Line ear cuff in white gold £75 and Blurred Line earrings in silver £39. Striped shirt worn back to front, ASOS.
Sculptural Moments in silver. Spiral Double cuff in white gold £85, worn with Spiral Installation in white gold £90, Fine Line bangle in white gold £100 and Fine Line ring in white gold £70. White ruffled sleeve blouse, ASOS.
Heavy Metal. For rock’n’roll weekend-wear, test-drive mixing gunmetal with your silvers. Fitzgerald ear cuffs, as before, worn with Block Fitzgerald, £39 ear cuff in gunmetal; Wishbone ear cuff £39, and Fitzgerald Circle ear jacket in gunmetal £59. Aristotle cold shoulder jumper £300, Zoe Jordan at The Shop at Bluebird.
Haute Metal. Well stacked silvers and gunmetal Fitzgerald ear cuffs (as above) teamed with an exclusive preview of the Zodiac Chain Earrings, launching August 17. Tee, Rails, as before.
Girl with a pearl earring. Exclusive preview of the pearl swing earring (launching autumn’17), worn with Fine Line rose gold ear cuff £75, Astrid and Miyu. White chiffon detail ruff top £305, No21 at The Shop at Bluebird.
The Single Swinger. Fluid lines and beautiful curves with this statement Spiral Swing earring in rose gold £100 (sold as one individual earring, for a pair you need to purchase two). Dress, Self Portrait.
Clean Lines. A slither of black velvet ribbon with an even teenier slither of diamanté silver in the centre is so French, so modern and so achingly chic it works well by day with a mussed up tee, or for evening with a slashed neckline crying out for decoration. Classic Bar Choker £39, worn with Crystal Armour ear cuff in silver £34, Two Timer ear cuff in silver £24 and Hold On small bar earrings in silver £39. Top, Jigsaw.
THE STYLISH STUFF BEAUTY NOTES:
For your close up, because let’s face it beautiful jewellery gets some serious scrutiny. Make up artist, Elaine Lynskey gently cleansed Margaux’s skin with Sukin Micellar Cleansing Water £5.30, she then spritzed the skin with Pai Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Skin Tonic £30 and followed with 2-3 pumps of PAI Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream £34, which she massaged into the face and neck to moisturise, (add a drop or two of Pai Rosehip Biogenerate Oil £22, to your moisturiser if your skin is feeling particularly dry, it also adds a dewy glow). Next she applied Bareminerals Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation with SPF20 £27, applying it to the skin with a Buffing brush (try Morphe Brushes M439 Deluxe Buffer Brush £12.50), in a circular motion. It has a light, but build-able coverage with a dewy finish and allows the skin to breathe.
Skin to make your jewellery sing…
Au Naturel. Spiral Sculpture earring in white gold £75; worn with Crystal Armour triple ear cuff in silver £34; and Horseshoe Choker in silver £79.
Little Rays of Sunshine for your jewellery drawer.... Horseshoe Choker in silver £79; worn with Blurred Lines earrings in silver £49; Wishbone ear cuff in silver £39.
Your Desk Drawer to Date earring. Coming soon (Pearl Swing Earring) shown here worn with Wishbone ear cuff in gold £39, and Crystal Armour ear cuff in gold £34. Foldover sleeve mini dress £70, ASOS WHITE.
For updates into the world of Astrid & Miyu check out their instagram @astridandmiyu. Warning: there will be temptation.
You can shop the collection above or online at Astrid & Miyu, or for a more touchy feely experience check out their stores in BoxPark (Bethnal Green) and St Christopher’s Place, London. They are also stocked in Selfridges London and Manchester.
Art Direction & Styling: Shelly Vella
Photography: Peter Fedrizzi
Hair & Make up: Elaine Lynskey
Model: Margaux at Milk Management