Quirky fashion jewellery with a cool Californian edge

By Åse Anderson

Fashion designer Alexander Lewis has collaborated with Californian jewellers Alex & Lee on a collection of unique jewellery bursting with baroque pearls, semi-precious stones and shells.

These materials are joined by an assortment of objects, such as reclaimed chandelier stones, to create a series of quirky, but undeniably beautiful, fashion jewellery collages. Using a technique called passementerie, the whimsical mini works of art are set into hammered copper and attached to colourful silk cording.

This highly original fashion jewellery forms part of Alexander Lewis' pre-fall 2015 collection. Known for his laidback themes in vibrant colours, the American-Brazilian designer launched his womenswear label in 2012 to great acclaim.

Now based in London, Lewis first came across Alex & Lee's work 10 years ago when he was working at LA's vintage store Decades.

Set up 35 years ago by Alex Mate and Lee Brooks, Alex & Lee jewellery was an integral part of the San Francisco Art to Wear movement in the early 1970s. Its flamboyant pieces incorporating global themes and innovative materials caught the eye of Salvador Dalí, who commissioned the jewellery house to create a display for the opening of the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Spain. Eight of the jewels are still part of the museum's exhibit and Dalí's signature Alex & Lee piece, which he wore regularly until his death in 1989, is displayed at the entrance of his home.

After Alex Mate passed away in 1992, Greg Franke joined Lee Brooks and the pair continues to create unique jewellery collections with an emphasis on craftsmanship and artistic expression.

Designer Alexander Lewis has teamed up with Alex & Lee to create a set of unique high jewellery pieces to form part of his pre-fall 2015 collection.
Californian jewellers Alex & Lee join high jewellery pieces such as pearls and precious stones with an assortment of objects, such as reclaimed chandelier stones, to create a series of quirky, but undeniably beautiful, fashion jewellery collages.
Alex & Lee use a technique called passementerie to create these whimsical mini works of art and set them into hammered copper, attaching colourful silk cording. The outcome is stunning high jewellery pieces like this one, which will form part of Alexander Lewis' pre-fall 2015 collection.
Each piece of unique high jewellery piece created for this collaboration are a work of art in their own right, bursting with baroque pearls, semi-precious stones and shells.