Jewellery brand of the month: Hello Crumpet

Today I’m going to write about one of my favourite brands:

HELLO CRUMPET

Hello Crumpet is run by Claire, originally based in the UK but now located in the Netherlands. Due to its focus on literature and Shakespeare, it’s a brand that I particularly love, and some brooches are even available via the Shakespeare’s Globe shop!

The brand is named after founder Claire’s cat Crumpet, so it seems only natural that a cat brooch is available.

cat brooch

Many brooches are Harry Potter-themed, including this Tales of Beedle the Bard book brooch.

Tales of Beedle the Bard book brooch

For Easter this year, this gorgeous Lindt-style bunny brooch was available.

gold bunny brooch

Game of Thrones fans will like this “Winter is coming” brooch.

winter is coming brooch

This awesome skull brooch brings to mind the famous quotation, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” and is available at the Globe shop along with others, including an ‘Exit, pursued by a bear’ brooch!

skull and crown brooch

Find Hello Crumpet at the following locations:

Website: hellocrumpet.co.uk

Instagram: instagram.com/hello_crumpet

Facebook: facebook.com/hellocrumpet

Shakespeare’s Globe Shop: shop.shakespearesglobe.com

Russia – Queen’s Gallery

I almost completely forgot about the Russia exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery, but luckily managed to make it there on the very last day. The exhibition was actually divided into two sections, together encompassing history, photography, war and revolution.

Shadows of War: Roger Fenton’s Photographs of the Crimea, 1855 was the first part of the exhibition. Fenton was the first photographer to document a war for public consumption. He spent four months in the Crimea, from March 1855. His pictures capture the reality of war and the lives of soldiers in the field. There are some incredible shots, including pictures of the infamous “Valley of Death” (from the Tennyson poem, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’) littered with cannonballs, as well as images of important figures from the war. One of my favourite pictures was of a soldier clearly suffering from shellshock, something which was not really known about or considered at the time.

Valley of Death
The ‘Valley of Death’
Shellshocked soldier
Shellshocked soldier

The second part of the exhibition was Russia, Royalty & the Romanovs, concentrating on the reigns of the numerous monarchs who made up the Romanov dynasty. There were some fascinating paintings and artefacts, including the picture of Peter the Great, highlighting his seagoing achievements (which he partly developed during a visit to London). Some beautiful Faberge eggs were displayed, but probably the most poignant item was a small suit made for the young Tsarevich Alexei.

Peter the Great
Peter the Great
Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great
Nicholas and Alexandra's coronation
Nicholas II and Alexandra’s coronation

Dior: Designer of Dreams – V&A

Introduction to the exhibition

I was very excited when the Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition was announced at the V&A. The styles are exactly my kind of thing: I’m a vintage lover, and for me Dior epitomises the ‘vintage look’ of nipped-in waist and full skirt. This is one of the most popular exhibitions in the V&A’s history, and most tickets sold out way in advance.

Dior ball dress
Beautiful ballgown

Dior became famous with the ‘New Look’ of 1947, when the privations and rationing of the war years made the full skirts and luxurious fabrics of this style seem particularly exciting. The exhibition begins with a single suit on display, epitomising this look with its nipped-in waist and generous skirt.

Early Dior 'New Look' suit
Early example of the ‘New Look’

The House of Dior began in 1946, set up by Christian Dior, born in Normandy in 1905, up until then a fashion illustrator. It has continued up until the present day, with a number of designers helming the company since Dior’s death (one of whom was Yves Saint Laurent). One room of the exhibition was devoted to these designers, including Marc Bohan and John Galliano, although for me nothing compares to the classic Dior designs.

Row of Dior dresses

The exhibition is beautifully laid out, with different rooms devoted to different themes: I particularly liked the floral room.

My favourite dress in my favourite room - the floral dress
My favourite dress of the whole exhibition

The exhibition runs until 2 September and has a high recommendation from me.

End of the exhibition

Robyn (Honey Tour) at Alexandra Palace

Robyn gig

I’ve been a fan of Swedish singer Robyn for many years, and managed to get a ticket to see her perform live at Alexandra Palace. I went with a friend and we both had a great time. The atmosphere was amazing and Robyn was so good live. The best moment, naturally enough, was when she sang ‘Dancing On My Own’.

Setlist

  • Send to Robin Immediately
  • Honey
  • Indestructible
  • Hang With Me
  • Beach2k20
  • Ever Again
  • Be Mine!
  • Because It’s in the Music
  • Between the Lines
  • Love Is Free
  • Don’t Fucking Tell Me What to Do
  • Dancing on My Own
  • Missing U
  • Call Your Girlfriend

Encore:

  • Trust Me
  • Stars 4-Ever
  • With Every Heartbeat

Encore 2:

  • Human Being
  • Who Do You Love?