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The homespun, anarchic approach remains culturally relevant today
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atty Devine’s statement jewellery is always ahead of the curve. Their jewellery tells stories and generates conversation. This summer, a new Crafts Council exhibition, Misshapes: The making of Tatty Devine, will consider the power of creativity and innovative British design and making, alongside the glamour and humour that Tatty Devine are known for. Design duo Harriet Vine and Rosie Wolfenden met at Chelsea College of Art and founded Tatty Devine when they graduated in 1999. They soon started trading from a market stall in east London and developed a signature style that saw them lauded in Vogue and stocked in Harvey Nichols and Whistles within the year. The brand’s homespun, anarchic approach resonated with an industry and public who were hungry for something unlike the commercialised, mass-produced products on offer. Turning disposable objects like guitar plectrums and cake decorations into playful, personality-packed jewellery resonated with people and generated fans all over the world, as well as collaborations with musicians, artists and fashion designers. On a trip to New York in 2001 they discovered laser-cut acrylic and on their return they invested in a laser-cutting machine, rarely used in jewellery at that time, which then gave them a creative freedom to push the boundaries. And now, 20 years after pioneering attentiongrabbing laser cut jewellery, all their pieces are still made by hand in the UK. They remain culturally relevant as they continue to design bold pieces for campaigns close to their hearts, such as Fawcett
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Society, Comic Relief and Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, and they are passionate advocates for the power of creativity. Misshapes will feature over 100 pieces from the past 20 years, from the early leather cuffs and piano belts to giant two metre versions of their best-sellers, including a lobster, their magpies and a huge banana alongside sketchbooks, ephemera and two new films. Also newer pieces that show how Tatty Devine continues to embrace technology and cultural shifts. The book Misshapes: The Making of Tatty Devine will track the development of Tatty Devine’s aesthetic, techniques and creativity. It will present pieces from their archive, going under the bonnet of how they think and make, with extracts from their sketchbooks and notebooks, and plenty of visual treats. Championing creativity, running throughout the book will be an inclusive ‘we did it, you can too’ ethos. Tatty Devine will be producing a one-off 20th anniversary collection featuring 20 reimagined Tatty Devine classics from their many collections, including Pegasus wings, lightning bolts, price tags and the pouring gin fizz bottle. Misshapes continues until 11 August at Central Saint Martins’ Lethaby Gallery, 1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA, before a UK-wide tour. Entrance is free. tattydevine.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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26/07/2019 11:24