Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Charlotte Penman launches Daisy & Aristotle Collection

Charlotte Penman's Daisy & Aristotle Collection explores symbols that evoke memories of youth, contrasts in nature and man's desire to categorise.

Daisies come from the Asteraceae family, with the name deriving from the Greek word "aster", meaning star and linking these common yet pretty flowers with the infinite. The Saxon's called them 'day's eye', because of the opening and closing nature between day and night. With a long history of symbolism, many see them as representing innocence, fidelity and patient endurance. As one of the most recognisable flowers in the world and with more than 20'000 varieties, they have spread from their homeland of England right around the world, from South East Asia to America and still grow in the wild.

So too, insects are common, with more species than any other in the Animal Kingdom. Beetle and bugs come from the Coleoptera family, a word first coined by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C, with its origins from the Greek words 'koleos' which means sheath and 'ptera' meaning wings. These small yet fascinating creatures work in groups to solve complex problems and use infrared to navigate their world. This collection explores what people consider common and everyday in nature, it is about finding beauty in the small and mystery in what is often overlooked.

Tiny beetle studs, Daisy Chain stacker rings, hoops and fine charm necklaces sit next to bold cuffs, solid Ray and Daisy Cocktail rings and bangles. The extensive collection is made from and array of gemstones, from Garnet, Citrine, Peridot and Onyx to white pearls, these are combined with sterling silver or 18k gold plate and rolled gold chains to make a feminine collection that celebrates beauty in what we often accept as ordinary.

Charlotte has been designing and making jewellery since the late 90's and her work can be found in high-end boutiques around New Zealand, such as Workshop, Tessuti and Antipodes Design. She has studied Fine Arts at Elam, design at Uni Tec and jewellery making in Japan as well as at Auckland's Workshop 6. She hand picks her gemstones from around the world and uses high quality chains, charms and findings to create pieces that reflect her unique style.

Her work has been profiled in local exhibitions and is featured on TV Outrageous Fortune, Go Girls, 3 News and various commercials as well as magazines such as Vogue Entertaining, Viva, Fashion Quarterly, Black, M2 Magazine, Bullet Mag online and in an art video at MOMA (New York).

News  2011