The flowers of our Jessica Bird collection
The tradition of adorning clothes with flowers and pins may date back to the Ancient Greeks, but it is still very much alive today. Where our ancestors wore bunches of herbs and blooms to weddings to deter evil spirits, we decorate suit buttonholes with flowers and add interest to lapels with pins or brooches.
Our latest collection and collaboration with Scottish artist/ illustrator Jessica Rose Bird takes this ancient idea and translates it into our language of Precision Jewellery. Pared back and refined, the collection features lapel pins and cufflinks engraved with British flowers, precision milled in our Aerospace factory in Hertford and sealed with micro-crystalline and carnauba wax. The gold series is crafted using ancient patina techniques, with recipes of chemicals precisely mixed and expertly layered by hand before being oxidised to form the rich and complex colours of the finished jewellery.
Each individual piece becomes wearable art, ideal for customising a denim jacket or wearing on your lapel as the replacement for a buttonhole. Celebrating minimalist design and craftsmanship, this new collection offers flowers that never fade, but can be worn and enjoyed for years to come.
But, why were we inspired by particular plants? During the design process, Alice and Jessica explored the meanings attached to different British flowers and it was the stories behind the Thistle, Poppy, Rose and Freesia that soon resonated. A combination of the flowers’ symbolic meanings and personal connotations were the inspiration behind Jessica’s beautiful line drawings.
Being Scottish, the thistle holds special importance for Jess. It is a symbol of protection, courage and pride. Sometimes considered a weed, or seen as prickly and uninviting, we love the thistle’s form for its bold flower head and architectural structure. There is strength in its sharp edges and bravery in its deep purple hues.
The poppy is an emblem for peace and sleep, with its sedative extracts and links to remembrance. We love its colourful flowers, full palette and paper like petals, evoking both power and fragility. Plus, as Jessica was born on Armistice Day, the Poppy’s symbol of peace is all the more personal here.
Rose is both Alice and Jessica’ middle name so there was an obvious link from the start. Most notably the rose is used to symbolise love across the ages, with different colours also being used to represent mystery, purity and passion. With its delicate flower heads and juxtaposing thorns, the rose is a reminder of the rough that comes with the smooth, the pain with the love. Timeless and charming, the rose is a true British classic.
Our collaboration is wonderfully summarised by the symbolism of the Freesia. An emblem of friendship, partnership and trust, it represents working in harmony and thoughtfulness. As we are constantly drawing inspiration from our contemporaries, craftspeople and the world around us, the sentiment behind the Freesia embodies our new collection perfectly.
For more inspiration and to learn more about our new lapel pins and cufflinks, you can browse the full collection here or follow us on Instagram @alicemadethis.
