Serena Partridge- Small But Perfect

As always, I am on the look-out for bespoke items and gifted artisans.  Serena Partridge makes miniature fashion accessories and garments inspired by a passion for European costume, dating back some six hundred years. Her particular interest is for the flamboyant fashions paraded by the wealthy élite. Such as platforms rising to heights of twenty inches or the superfluous coiffures supported by Marie Antoinette. Although her works contain strong references to the past, Serena is not concerned with producing historically accurate replicas. In her work, scale and proportion are distorted to create curios that send up the frivolity and futility of life à la mode.

Though the work involves endless hours of hand stitching, it is not really embroidery; Serena is more of a mixed media artist who leans towards textiles. She mixes antique fabrics and trimmings with materials that will achieve desired effect. Kid gloves are reborn as elongated shoes and a fragmented wedding veil becomes the filling of a six-tier gateau; while heels are carved in wood and coiffures are fashioned from strands of fine silk.

These miniature accessories are crafted from fine papers, with tiny hand-stitching up the back of the stockings and 25 carefully cut pieces of card, stacked and sanded to create the shaped heels of the mules. The embellishments are hand-made with silk ribbons, antique lace and cut-steel beads.

 If you are looking for something a little different, the shoes and stockings are perfect unique gifts for special occasions and followers of fashion. They can be personalised with a message printed inside a tiny card or on a miniature label.

 

For more information view www.serenapartridge.co.uk

Inspiring Shops...

Pentreath & Hall

This is another of my  inspirational shops to love, re-branded in 2013, formerly know as Ben Pentreath, Hall and Pentreath is full of English style and eccentricities and just perfect for Christmas presents….

5 years ago, Ben’s growing architectural practice needed a bit more room to grow. He decided to take on a little store front in Rugby Street, just across the road, and the idea was to have a little office annexe in the back with a tiny shop front on the street. Originally he was going lend the shop front to an antique dealer friend. However after a trip to New York he realised the fun thing to do was to open a shop all of his own.

In London he bumped into his old friend Birdie Hall, decorative artist and maker, and a retail collaboration was born. They opened the shop in 2008 with no retail experience and with one purpose in mind: to look for things that they loved themselves.

In 2013, ‘Pentreath & Hall’ was created. Although they have stayed true to the principle of sourcing and selling things that they really love – be it classic or contemporary, antique or modern; books, pictures, objects, furniture. Many of the products sold are from small companies and makers in England, France and elsewhere.

So do go and visit them if you are in London or browse their website. I am sure you will find lots of wonderful bits and pieces for your home and lifestyle.

Happy Shopping

www.pentreath-hall.com for more information

All the Best

Sara x