Months that the project was under preparation. Because the idea of designing fashion accessories arrived faster than expected. First with the oversized [button] necklaces, the “famous” design necklace Pirogues, then the Ice collar [button] series in Plexiglas . After that, the Eden cuff bracelets and their lacquered buckles on acidulated vinyl leather …
And suddenly, everything happily rushed. The orders, the tailor-made, the designer and ‘couturier’ solicitations. And sales were chained. A bracelet, two bracelets, ten necklaces, then twenty. Merciiiii to you all !!!!
So behind the scenes, welcome to a growing brand.
Indeed, it was time to create a complete Accessories line alongside BUTTONS PARADISE!
An ‘ATTELIER’ with two T? Crazy, isn’t it! But why?
Attelier in French is Atelier for Workshop. But the metamorphosis of the word ‘Attelier’ as if you wrote ‘workkshop’ is far from trivial to me. ATTELIER with two T’s, it is the craft of both hands and the double ‘T’ of Buttons. It is now the creation and marketing of the BUTTONS PARADISE Accessories range.
Up-cycling? Just a rapid digression for language matters to my English, Canadian and American friends. From a strictly French point of view, Up-cycling could sound like another barbarous word?! Not really ! Because at L’ATTELIER, priority is given to the art of majestic diversion. Just need to explain: a rare, contemporary or vintage sewing button or a belt buckle sublimate our most simple and sophisticated outfits. So why not transcend usages and innovate by turning them into jewelry?
It is funny because as I am writing you, the word ‘sculpture‘ is reasoning and reasoning again. Some know it, others do not, but I am passionate about sculpture. So, I dare. Simply because to imagine a couture button or jewel loop, in mother-of-pearl, wood essence, galalithe or acetate to adorn them in bracelets, design necklaces or bib necklaces are gestures and creations that inspire me sculptures.
Without doubt, Picasso, Delaunay, Arp, Giacometti, Garouste were interested in the love of the voluptuousness of shapes. They took an interest in haute couture buttons for creating them. And I wanted to tell you this so much.
Even more to see and discover on BUTTONS PARADISE #Filcoulisses
To discover jewelry & accessories from The Attelier by BUTTONS PARADISE, visit our e-shop or showroom while in Paris 198, Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris 7 (access side window, without code, by 15 rue Saint Guillaume)
Long necklaces are great, adding flair and fluid movement to any figure. But how should you wear a long necklace to show it in its best light? How can you really make this accessory work its magic? Long necklaces always look very chic, accessorising any outfit and adding a certain touch of femininity that never goes out of fashion. Coco Chanel was already sporting this look back in the 1930s, and it’s still celebrated in fashion shows everywhere today. So which type of long necklace should you opt for, and what clothes will it work best with?
Whether you opt for an ethnic style or a simpler look, retro shapes or a graphic-design piece; the long necklace is a statement piece in its own right. For truly irrefutable style, simply pair this accessory with basics: a turtleneck sweater or t-shirt, trousers and pumps and you’re good to go! Remember to adapt the length of the necklace to suit your figure, though. It should sit somewhere between your chest and your stomach button: any longer and it will just get in the way. If it is too long, simply tie a knot in the necklace, or pass it through a stylish buckle.
Rule N°1: match a long necklace with basics. Go for a blouse, a plain vest-top, a dress or tunic, or an understated t-shirt or jumper. Work a simplified look to really showcase the necklace’s design. It’s time to de-clutter your style to the max!
Rule N°2: choose the right neckline or collar. Opt for boat necks, round necks or V-necks, especially if this necklace is the only item of jewellery you’re wearing.
Rule N°3: be daring with contrasts.Really play on the opposition between the colours of your top and your necklace: pair a monochrome outfit with a long necklace. And why not go for something original and a bit dramatic while you’re at it?
Rule N°4: avoidwearing your long necklace with a t-shirt that is too short, with a shirt collar or with a top that has an overbearing row of buttons.
Rule N°5: avoid wearing earrings with your long necklace. Making a necklace work with earrings can be a tricky business, so if in doubt, earrings are best avoided!
Which long necklace should you be wearing?
There are so many long necklace styles to choose from, but of course that goes without saying! There are long chains of pearls, pendant necklaces, and ethnic, graphic-design or minimalist pieces. But we’re now also seeing a whole range of long necklaces with a modern twist and reworked style. So don’t hold back: with a range of shapes, materials and colours, these necklaces are adaptable and will suit any outfit, day and night.
This essential, timeless spirit can also be found in the long necklaces at Buttons Paradise. The Original Anchor Button necklace has a soft, organic feel about it, thanks to its resin buttons and warm, natural colours. Our Wooden Doggy Original Button necklace has more of a reworked, ethnic style about it. Fashioned out of small, vintage, wooden bone-shaped buttons from the fifties, there is a pure and essential quality to this necklace. Then there is our Original Anchor Button necklace, which is truly a timeless piece. It is the star piece in our collection, the large horn-shaped buttons lending this necklace an ethno-urban style that will work perfectly with a great many outfits.
Cuff bracelets had long fallen out of fashion but suddenly reappeared in the 1930s, making their comeback with Chanel’s trademark designs. A vintage item from a bygone era, the cuff bracelet is so much more than merely decorative. It stands apart from other bracelets, inscribing any look with style and accentuating personal flair. These colourful bracelets tended to be decorated with fine stones in the 1920s, but then slowly shifted towards a more art deco style. Here’s a look back at the renaissance of this millennia-old bracelet.
The 1930s: Fulco di Verdura styles the wrists of Coco Chanel.
Fulco di Verdura shows Coco Chanel his cuff in 1937. Photo: Collection Viollet/Courtesy of the Designer.
Fulco di Verdura, a talented Italian jeweller, joined Gabrielle Chanel’s team in the 1920s. He originally worked in textiles until the legendary fashion designer entrusted him with an important mission: designing her jewellery pieces. The Italian designer quickly set about creating his (soon-to-be) famous cuff bracelets for this iconic woman. She wore them as Indian women wear theirs, with one on each wrist in total symmetry.
Di Verdura designed multi-coloured bracelets with precious stones in the form of a Maltese cross, set against a white background and with a gold interior. And so, Coco Chanel’s cuff bracelets were to go down in History. The Italian jeweller really left his mark on the accessory collections for this fashion house, and nowhere more so than on the Chanel cuff bracelets. They became staple items in the wardrobes of women everywhere, and are still so recognisable today.
Cuff bracelets in the 1930s: changing shapes, new materials.
Art deco style began to make an appearance in the 1920s. Bracelets had geometric shapes, with sharp or rounded corners, and came in black or white, onyx or platinum. They were often extremely colourful, embellished here and there with touches of jade, coral, emerald green and lapis lazuli. In the 1930s, jewellery designers began to play around with shape and colour, amusing themselves with the contrast between matte and shine, transparency and opacity – all on the same of jewellery.
In the inter-war period, however, these cuff bracelets gradually shifted away from polychrome colours, preferring monochrome instead, as seen in the models below. The geometric forms seen previously were now increasingly streamlined and clean-cut. Jewellery designers produced pieces that were ever more understated and chic, with well-defined contours. These strong, statement cuff bracelets injected 1930s style with a certain boldness, thanks to the colour and the materials used.
Design pieces: the 1930s cuff bracelet makes a comeback.
For the 1930s jewellery enthusiasts among you, the leather cuff bracelets by Buttons Paradise use vintage buttons and belt buckles from this period. The bracelets combine one-of-a-kind Bakelite elements with streamlined leather forms.
Leather, added volume, geometric forms, natural materials, black and white with a touch of yellow or red: these are the accessory trends for this summer 2016. We’ve directly based these predictions on what designers recently presented on the runways and at fashion week. A well-chosen accessory will always manage to add that special something to any outfit, personalising it and bringing it right on trend. Here’s a quick run-down of the colours, forms and materials that will accessorise your summer. Follow our guide, and you can’t go wrong.
If there’s one rule to follow this 2016 summer season 2016, this is it: mix a clean, simplistic look with a touch of eccentricity. Go ahead and find your perfect combination! Bare shoulders, seashore-inspired looks and see-through effects are all to come this season. Long dresses, dresses with splits and kimonos are also going to be making an appearance in your wardrobes. And to really enhance these new arrivals, we’ll be seeing natural materials, geometric forms and oversized jewellery. Along with your espadrilles and your flatforms, opt for ombre sunglasses lenses, a leather clutch bag or cuff bracelet, a large wooden ring, a pair of geometric earrings, and a belt, cravat or foulard made from natural materials.
Trend Number 1: Clutch bags and mini-leather goods
Handbags are just like shoes…you can never have too many of them. And this summer, you’re not going to know which way to turn! Among the on-trend it-bags spotted this season, pride of place on the catwalks went to the clutch bag, with a handle or shoulder strap. Small leather bags and mini backpacks are the essential accessories to your summer. We’ve definitely come full circle from the oversized holdall – and for good reason. These fashion accessories are jewellery items in their own right, and can hold a lipstick or a smartphone. Wear yours casually, whether on a trip out with friends or to a trendy party by the sea.
The jewellery trend for this summer is extra, extra large jewellery, giving an instant boost to a simplistic, clean look and adds a note of boldness to any outfit. Oversized earrings can be worn by themselves or as a pair. There are large hoops and spirals, pompoms and tassels. You’ll see metal, leather, bright colours and zebra patterns. So now you can match your earrings to your lipstick or your pumps. And above all, don’t forget that oversized earrings can really light up your face and make it look longer!
It’s not just a question of excessive size this spring-summer season; we’ve also spotted some unusual jewellery shapes: jewellery will be square, triangular, linear, and circular. So with geometric shapes whichever way you look, it’s about time to get over those maths phobias! For the most part, we’ll be seeing natural materials: metals, leather and wood. As for colours, there’s gold and silver, but also black and white along with the primary colours yellow, red and blue.
Of course we can’t talk about accessories without mentioning sunglasses too, especially for trips to the beach or park this summer. This season, sunglasses are transparent, with ombre lenses, and flesh-coloured, natural or honey tints. We’ll be seeing round, butterfly and geometric frames. These models illustrate the trends for the summer 2016 season perfectly. Play around with a transparent-effect frame, and with a mirror-effect or discreet, natural lenses with slight gradations of colour. Plus, this season’s round and oversized frames will keep you well protected from those summer rays.
Leather is one of the key elements for this summer. It featured greatly in the handbag and shoe collections, and also stood out in jewellery lines. If you are looking for THE jewellery piece to wear throughout the summer, opt for a bracelet, necklace or cuff bracelet made from leather. Once again, geometric shapes are doing their thing. This summer, look for solid contours that are circular, triangular or square. Leather is truly the queen of all natural materials, adding a touch of chic to your outfits and bestowing her majesty upon your wrists. Two-tone jewellery, often made from more than one material, is also right on trend. A bracelet in yellow leather embellished with blue Bakelite, or a black and white leather butterfly cuff bracelet will inject instant energy to any simple and understated outfit, whether it’s for work or an evening event.
You might have spotted some of the on-trend colours for this summer in our selection of accessories: yellow, black and white, with a note of red here and there to add a bit of pizzazz. So now, it’s over to you: combine these on-trend accessories with a simple, clean look and you can’t go wrong!
