Gothica

Text: Billy Bride


Over the past few seasons we’ve seen a resurgence of medieval and gothic inspired design. Givenchy and Giles set the tone in 2008, spurring the Soft Goth and New Romantic movements that rippled through the fashion hemisphere. But if floor length frills and masquerade make-up aren’t for you, jewellery artisans Solange Azagary Partridge and William Llewellyn Griffith have created cult pieces that allow one to channel their inner deity, without looking like they’ve escaped the priesthood.

Griffith draws upon a mix of sci-fi futurism, bio-mechanics & pagan ritual to construct the awe inspiring works of fantasy under his design house ‘Metal Couture‘. Semi-precious stones such as Labrodorite and Smoky Quartz feature in his otherworldly creations, framed by sleek ambitious architecturally guided settings. Partridge’s works flow in this same vein, as her latest collection titled ‘Stoned‘ is derived from the religious rites of sacrifice in Roman mythology. Stand out pieces include her ‘Offering’ rings, and ‘Gorgon’ bracelet. Dark, ghostly and hypnotic, Partridge and Griffith’s works exemplify the mesmeric allure that feeds the Gothic movement and sees it continue to flourish.

Check back each Thursday for more on the fashion world from Billy Bride