Upon unboxing, wrists subsequently revealed selected semi-precious stone and crystal bracelets from Peace-Is of Bianca’s Mantra collection. From left, Vaz; McIntosh; Kellond; Clarke; the designer/co-host; Campbell; and Peterkin.<strong></strong>
October 14, 2016
Video: Bits & Peace-Is
The recent news that Rock-born, globetrotting Mateo New York jewellery designer Matthew Harris’s minimalist and modern art-inspired work will retail at the newly opened Smithsonian Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington DC, has certainly been the most recent placement of Jamaican goldsmithery in the international design spotlight.
Returning closer to our shores, the artistry and craftsmanship of Harris’s compatriot Bianca Bartley’s Peace-Is of Bianca has secured for her work a formidable following of collectors, who in their own right are reputed as influential tastemakers. It is this type of pedigree that ultimately made her selection as the latest Seamlessly Stitched co-host a no-brainer.
And so it was that six muses wearing varied necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings gathered, last Tuesday, around the Pussbackfoot frontwoman Aiesha Panton’s tablescape, bookended by co-hosts Bartley and Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor — Lifestyle & Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte, at the South Avenue boutique, to take a temperature gauge of the Rock’s jewellery industry. This between bites of restaurateur/caterer Claudette Tenn’s M-10 Wednesday gourmet offerings and sips of Moët & Chandon Imperial bubbly and the vino blends of Apothic White and Apothic Red from distribution house, J Wray & Nephew.
SO learns more about these sustained client connections of Peace-Is of Bianca, for starters, and as we wrap, the designer hands out crystal and semi-precious stone bracelets from her Mantra collection with her pairing thoughts in tow.
Each muse’s place setting included a Peace-Is of Bianca gift.<strong></strong>
Jewellery designer and Seamlessly Stitched co-host Bianca Bartley<strong></strong>
Pussbackfoot founder and events stylist Aiesha Panton’s tablescape included natural elements such as seashells, wood as well as hydrangeas from Tai Flora Luxe.<strong></strong>
Outside The BoxUsed tableside as water pitchers by the Seamlessly Stitched cater waiters, these Dana Baugh-created BAUGHaus Design Studio ceramic milk carton’s were the admired pottery piece of the evening. See more decorative accents from dinner table in this Sunday’s Style Observer magazine.<strong></strong>
Ann Marie VazPhilanthropistVaz wore a jade necklace with a hand-pulled bronze waterlily pendant from the Journey Into The Sun collection, earrings are lemon druzy studs set in rose gold vermeil from our Eros collection, and an armful of crystal and semi-precious stone bracelets.SO: What keeps you coming back?Vaz: I admire Bianca. Her energy is so positive. She is what I would want to see in my daughters. She brings hope, she brings joy, she brings something… that je nais sais quoi. I support Jamaican designers, and there is something about her that transcends her work. This water lily necklace that I’m wearing is my favourite, I love it so much. It keeps me happy; it makes me peaceful and calm.SO: Why this bracelet for Ann Marie?Bianca Bartley: Anyone who Knows AV (Ann Marie) nows she is of the ocean. A true island girl, a characteristic which is symbolic of her birth sign, Pisces. She loves arm candy, so I knew that our new coiled sea shell charm which has 14 karat gold leafing would be just perfect for her on a crystal bracelet, in this season’s colour du jour… nude.<strong></strong>
Dark chocolate mousse with coulis of passionfruit and hazelnut praline by award-winning patisseur Nadine Burie<strong></strong>
Upon unboxing, wrists subsequently revealed selected semi-precious stone and crystal bracelets from Peace-Is of Bianca’s Mantra collection. From left, Vaz; McIntosh; Kellond; Clarke; the designer/co-host; Campbell; and Peterkin.<strong></strong>
The menu previewed the fare of M-10’s chef/patron Claudette Tenn from her Gourmet on Wednesdays; patissier Nadine Burie for the dessert course; and J Wray & Nephew-distributed vino comprised of Apothic White, Apothic Red, and Moët & Chandon Imperial champers.<strong></strong>
Peace-Is of Bianca founder and goldsmith Bianca Bartley stands next to the KERRYmanwomanhome display of her jewellery sold by the South Avenue boutique.(Photos: Michael Gordon)<strong></strong>
Ann Marie VazPhilanthropistVaz wore a jade necklace with a hand-pulled bronze water lily pendant from the Journey Into The Sun collection, earrings are lemon druzy studs set in rose gold vermeil from our Eros collection, and an armful of crystal and semi-precious stone bracelets.<InfoBold>SO: What keeps you coming back?</InfoBold><InfoBold>Vaz:</InfoBold> I admire Bianca. Her energy is so positive. She is what I would want to see in my daughters. She brings hope, she brings joy, she brings something… that je nais sais quoi. I support Jamaican designers, and there is something about her that transcends her work. This water lily necklace that I’m wearing is my favourite, I love it so much. It keeps me happy; it makes me peaceful and calm. <InfoBold>SO: Why this bracelet for Ann Marie?</InfoBold><InfoBold>Bianca Bartley: </InfoBold>Anyone who Knows AV (Ann Marie) nows she is of the ocean. A true island girl, a characteristic which is symbolic of her birth sign, Pisces. She loves arm candy, so I knew that our new coiled sea shell charm which has 14 karat gold leafing would be just perfect for her on a crystal bracelet, in this season’s colour du jour… nude.<strong></strong>
Place settings featured imported metallic flatware, BAUGHaus Design Studio china by ceramist Dana Baugh, and Bianca Bovell x Gene Pearson napkin rings. (Photos: Michael Gordon)<strong></strong>
Apothic White and Apothic Red blends<strong></strong>
Audrey McIntoshManager, Private Banking Centre,National Commercial BankMcIntosh? necklace is comprised of four types of stones †silver titanium-plated agates, tumbled quartz, pink African agates, and punctuations of pyrite or fool? gold. <InfoBold>SO: How do you feel about Peace-Is of Bianca?</InfoBold><InfoBold>McIntosh:</InfoBold> I became aware of Bianca through an article in the <InfoBold>Style Observer</InfoBold>, so I started looking out for her pieces. This one in particular, I just came in the store, saw it, and I said “Oh God, that’s me!” I had to have it, and now I have it. I’m hooked! It’s good to see young people like her doing so well.<InfoBold>SO: Why this bracelet for Audrey?</InfoBold><InfoBold>Bianca Bartley: </InfoBold>Audrey is a successful woman who to me represents someone who sets goals and accomplishes all, through hard work and discipline, the latter being a most difficult quality to achieve. The crescent moon is a symbol of power, it enters the sky at the beginning of each month and is seen as a cradle for our newly born dreams while the waning crescent symbolises the expulsion of all negative thoughts, habits and forces which are of harm to you.<strong></strong>
Pussbackfoot founder and events stylist Aiesha Panton’s tablescape included natural elements such as seashells, wood as well as hydrangeas from Tai Flora Luxe.<strong></strong>
Post-dinner, Seamlessly Stitched co-hosts Bianca Bartley (fourth left) and Novia McDonald -Whyte (fourth right) took a photo call with the former’s muses as they showed off their Peace-Is of Bianca gift boxes. From left, attorney-at-law Delrose Campbell, National Commercial Bank Private Client Services Manager Audrey McIntosh, entrepreneur Karlene Kellond, KERRYmanwomanhome retailer Kerry-Ann Clarke, philanthropist Ann Marie Vaz, and NCB Capital Markets Private Client Services Manager Najah Peterkin.<strong></strong>
Tropical Mango Salad<strong></strong>
Kerry-Ann ClarkeRetailer, KERRYmanwomanhomeClarke wore a mala, also known as a prayer or mantra necklace, with 108 beads used during meditation. The last bead, number 109, is the gratitude bead, made of sterling silver with tassel attached. <InfoBold>SO: Describe your business relationship with Bartley.Clarke: </InfoBold>Since we’ve met, Bianca’s growth in six years has been amazing; she’s gone to the Branson Centre of Entreprenurship. Before she was selling just pieces, now she develops cohesive collections, they have stories behind them, and she has different collections coming out every year. I’m very proud of her, and she continues to grow. <InfoBold>SO: Why this bracelet for Kerry-Ann?</InfoBold><InfoBold>Bianca Bartley:</InfoBold> Kerry Ann is an extremely hardworking individual with a sometimes gruelling schedule which requires multi-tasking. I chose a crystal hamsa bracelet with a Mother Of Pearl Inlay and evil eye inset. The Hamsa is also called the Hand of Fatima and is seen as the all-giving and all-receiving hand; depicting five fingers it serves as a reminder of the metaphorical Hand of God and is a talisman of protection. The Hamsa Hand is a popular Jewish symbol associated with a prayer intended for its owner.<strong></strong>
Karlene KellondEntrepreneurKellond necklace is from the Medallion collection and is made of pink African agates and distressed brass.<InfoBold>SO: Take us down memory lane with Peace-Is of Bianca.Kellond:</InfoBold> This is actually my first Peace-Is of Bianca acquisition. I love it, I get a lot compliments wherever I go, when I wear it. I saw this beautiful piece four or five years ago here at KERRYmanwomanhome and it really spoke to me. I have many of her pieces. I’ve seen her work and she’s grown so much. I applaud her and hope she continues to stay positive in what she’s doing. It’s awesome. <InfoBold>SO: Why this bracelet for Karlene?Bianca Bartley:</InfoBold> Karlene is all edge! She has a love for skulls which initially to me held such a gloomy connotation, but with everything I decided to seek out its hidden beauty and as with all our symbols, researched its symbolism. Skulls represent time, power, divinity and concentration; and have been long used in the Festival of the Dead, a Spanish celebration of ancestry.<strong></strong>
M-10 founder Claudette Tenn (right) shared the frame with Bartley as the former presented the lobster thermidor dish from her standing Wednesday gourmet menu, one of two options for last Tuesday evening’s second course. Tenn was assisted by chef Barbara Martin and cook Damion Brown. (Photos: Michael Gordon)<strong></strong>
Delrose CampbellAttorney-at-lawCampbell wore earrings, and a necklace comprised of a mix of pyrite, with tumbled crystal quartz, and a geode pendant.<InfoBold>SO: What keeps you coming back?Campbell: </InfoBold>Bianca is a calm, beautiful person. A beautiful character, which really comes out in her art; very exquisite pieces. I’m so happy to know her personally; to know someone with this kind of gift. I know how much Bianca appreciates us. We leave with something; not just a piece of jewellery; I think a piece of her. And I really feel privileged. <InfoBold>SO: Why this bracelet for Delrose?Bianca Bartley:</InfoBold> The dove is a symbol of love, grace, purity and divinity. These characteristics are those that I have felt to be the embodiment of Delrose since the very day I met her at KERRYmanwomanhome in 2010. Her warm spirit and humility, in spite of career success, makes her, like many of my collectors, a role model for me as she possesses qualities that I’m continuously striving to improve upon and to hone. There was no other symbol to compare her to.<strong></strong>
Najah PeterkinManager, Private Client ServicesNCB Capital MarketsPeterkin wore a plated quartz necklace set in rose-gold vermeil teamed with a sterling silver ring, and druzy stud earrings.<InfoBold>SO: What keeps you coming back?Peterkin:</InfoBold> It’s amazing to see Bianca reach to this level. I love the label’s name. I love the energy that she brings. And I also like that she has a range. It can be this, it can be that, but it can really just be this as well. <InfoBold>SO: Why this bracelet for Najah?Bianca Bartley: </InfoBold>I have known Najah socially, for years, from her being an extremely talented dancer and choreographer with Dance Company Xaymaca, to have a successful career at the NCB Capital Markets. When I learnt that she faced a potentially terminal illness and watched from the sidelines as she did so with such strength, poise and determination; I was in awe. Coral is a sign of deep and profound changes in life arising from grounding ourselves in the realities which we face. It also brings about qualities of optimism. To me a journey like hers requires just that grounding, and so this piece from our Mantra collection, I hope will be a silent affirmation.<strong></strong>
Panton’s decorative touch extended to the Plexiglass Chiavari seating.<strong></strong>
Grilled lamb chops with baby potatoes and market vegetables.<strong></strong>
<InfoBold>Second Course</InfoBold> (Option 2): Lobster thermidor with baby potatoes and market vegetables.<strong></strong>
Bartley (centre) with Jamaica Observer Takes Style Out/Seamlessly Stitched founder Novia McDonald-Whyte (left), and KERRYmanwomanhome eponymous retailer Kerry-Ann Clarke.<strong></strong>
