This week’s Londoner is Rachel Boston, a super cool jewellery born and based in the big smoke. Words below…
Firstly tell us where you live in London and why…
I was born in South London, from Lambeth to Wandsworth where I remained till I was 18 and then I upped and moved to Bethnal green where I’ve been residing for 7 years. I’m by a small park so it’s got the greenery and the quiet which is nice for me and my dog Betty but it’s also got so much more life here. I’ve always preferred the buzz in East London to where I grew up South. From when I was 16 I would spend Saturdays travelling to Antisocial or Foreign on Curtain Road and then spend at least 2 hours home on night buses exhausted out my mind, but it always seemed better than going to the local Slug and Lettuce for a pint. Now I don’t go out as much as I used to my priority has turned to food and I’m only 10 minute bus ride away from all the best food markets and restaurants so I’m very happy keeping myself well fed.
We can’r argue with that! How did you get into the jewellery industry?
I’ve always been interested in jewellery since I was a little girl and I’d take apart my sister’s jewellery and remake myself new things from them. She wasn’t happy about it then but now she gets jewellery presents from me I hope she appreciates her jewellery box raids were a necessary evil. I studied Jewellery Design at Central Saint Martins and interned at workshops during university to practice my making skills. After graduating I studied Diamond Grading at GIA in New York and on my return felt a bit lost. I was originally looking for design work with other brands but at the same time I started up my workbench in my living room and started making my first collection, which I then launched in the Summer of 2012. Now I have a studio in Clerkenwell and showed my new collection at London Fashion Week.
Who are your favourite designers?
I adore Azzedine Alaia, the cut and structure on his clothes really celebrates the female shape. I have some pieces that were my Mother’s which I will in turn save my for my own children, they’re such classic designs I can’t imagine them ever going out of style.
Where can we find your products in London?
You can find my jewellery in my studio in Clerkenwell (by appointment only), ShowStudio on Motcombe Street, Paul Smith on Floral St, and Luna and Curious on Calvert Avenue. I’m also taking part in an exhibition at the Museum of London called Made in London: Jewellery now which celebrates the work of 7 jewellery designers based in London and is free and on till April 27th. So you can go visit the exhibition (and then go visit the Cheapside Hoarde exhibition too which is amazing) and then buy my pieces in the Museum of London Shop.
Sounds like you’ve been quiet the busy bee! Finally what would be your perfect day in London?
My perfect day for a nice relaxed Sunday: I’d take my dog Betty for a walk and get a cup of coffee at the Corner Cafe in Bethnal Green. Then go for big Venezuelan brunch at Arepas and Co in Haggerston and afterwards walk off brunch by going to Stoke Newington Church Street for a wander in the shops and after up to Clissold Park which is really cool especially if they have their vintage style fair on. If it’s a nice day I could jump on the bus back to mine and as I live right by the canal I could hop in my dingy with a friend and meet some of my other dingy owning friends and have some nice beers and watch the sun set as we float on the canal.
That is a pretty perfect day. Want to check out Rachel’s designs? Check out her website.