Preparing for your first
exhibition at London Fashion Week can be a rather daunting exercise, especially
for a young designer. I recently met with a gorgeous jewellery designer
who is doing just this, Rosh Mahtani is the talent behind the brand Alighieri Jewellery. After graduating, she spent two
years learning as much as she could about the industry, interning at Harper’s
Bazaar, working with Estelle Deve and Avenue32.com, all the while dreaming of
her collection and creating it by night.
We strolled around the backstreets
of Westminster with a Matcha Latte (Rosh adores these and has subsequently got
me addicted!) chatting about her love
for Dante Aligheri and how she’s preparing for this very prestigious exhibition
starting this week.
What do you love about being a
jewellery designer and how did you get into fashion?
I love creating pieces with a
story, and seeing that story told in different ways on different people.
As for how I got into fashion; it
all happened very organically. I studied French and Italian literature at
university, and always wanted to do something that was both creative and
strategic. Whilst studying Dante Alighieri’s ‘Divine Comedy’ at university, I
started making a piece of jewellery for every canto, and that’s how it began! I
was never gunning to be in the fashion industry, I just wanted to create a
successful business.
What influences your
designs?
So many things! Literature, taking photographs,
meeting new people, making huge life mistakes! Dante’s poetry is always the starting point,
and then I love to travel, with the ideas in mind, (and the book in hand.) I
would say travelling to places like Iceland, road trips through Europe, and spontaneous
adventures to Australia, have influenced my designs immensely.
If you could live in another city
where would it be and why?
When I was younger I always wanted
to live in Paris, and in Florence. I’m lucky enough to have lived in both
cities, and now I’m so happy to be back in London, that I always want to come
back here after my adventures. However, if I must pick another, I would say
Copenhagen; I recently visited for the first time, and I got a great energy
from the city, and the people.
How do you prep for London fashion
week and what are your favourite bits about it?
I’m prepping at the moment; having
just finished designing and producing the new collection we are shooting the
Look Book, arranging buying and press appointments, putting together sales
strategies, and the list goes on! This is my first time exhibiting in London,
so I can’t wait; I’m enjoying the momentum and the pressure- I work best under
these circumstances. I’ll have to tell you about my favourite bits once it’s
over!
Any tips for young designers
wanting to exhibit?
Focus on making what you make, don’t worry about
the fanfare of it all. Be ready to work! And don’t compare yourself to other
designers- that can drive you mad. Don’t push things too hard, if a potential
opportunity keeps falling through it probably isn’t the right fit, just be
yourself and the best opportunities will happen with ease. (At least that’s how
it happened for me). These are tips that I try to remind myself of everyday, in
moments of stress or sleep deprivation- it’s not always easy to abide by them.
How would you describe your
personal style?
Monochrome clothing and lots of
gold jewellery. (My friends often tell me off for only ever
wearing dark colours and sneakers). I don’t like high maintenance- so much of
what I do is running around London, from production to press, so I just want to
be comfortable, and warm!
Where do you shop in London and
where do you eat?
I love admiring and dream-shopping at the Conran
Shop; I usually shop at COS, Liberty, and Joseph. I have too many favourite
places to eat in London: for lunch on workdays- Flat Planet on Great Malborough
Street have great spelt pizzas; I’ve been going to Lemonia in Primrose Hill
since I was a child, so it’s a nostalgic Greek Meal; Jin Kichi in Hampstead has
the best sushi in London; the Italian ‘Bocca di Lupo’ is my favourite
restaurant for a date- they serve food from different regions in Italy, and the
gelateria across the road makes for the perfect post-dinner lingering.
Five items you can't live without?
1. My Alighieri Fortuna Necklace,
it’s my lucky charm, and I never take it off. It reminds me to be courageous.
2.Laura Mercier Tinted
Moisturiser- the only thing I wear in terms of make-up.
3.My old Pentax camera, it’s the
greatest luxury to go to a new city, and explore with it.
4.My Moleskin Diary- I write
everything down in it, and would have no idea what I was doing without it.
5.Matcha Latte- one a day. I’m
addicted.
STALK THE STALKER ON
Awesome post! Love your photos too. Have an amazing Thursday dear! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo;
STYLEFORMANKIND.COM
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Amazing look!!Love your necklace!XoXo
ReplyDeleteStunning lady
ReplyDeleteFound your blog recently and I’d like to say that I’m in love with it!
ReplyDeleteInteresting posts and beautiful photos!
I’ll be happy to see you in my blog!)
Diana Cloudlet
http://www.dianacloudlet.com/
Really nice
ReplyDeleteAlice Cerea,
BABYWHATSUP.COM
Very charming the connection with Alighieri! She's got tons of style too!
ReplyDeleteBaci,
Coco et La vie en rose - Valeria Arizzi
Fascinating interview! Loved it. Gorgeous jewellery.
ReplyDeleteAmber
http://www.sweetwordsprettypictures.com