Dawn Mckelvie qualified at the Kent Institute of Art and Design, where she studied fashion for four years. After graduating she then worked freelance as a designer, illustrator and pattern cutter. Covering ready to wear, accessories, tailoring, to evening wear, her background is somewhat diverse. With a passion for working in leather, the designer went on to work on a luxury accessories label, creating leather handbags, retailing exclusively at Harrods. The experience proved invaluable, not only did Dawn develop the skills of working in leather, it also inspired her to channel her creativity into her own accessories label. Specializing in bespoke leather handbags, belts and her unusual harness purse belt, Dawn has now incorporated leather jewellery into her range. Combining a distinct style, strong craftsmanship and British quirkiness, each design is handcrafted in the finest Italian leather. Her signature style marries the luxury of leather, a vibrant colour palette and an intriguing unpredictability, resulting in an eclectic mix of stunning and somewhat edgy, leather jewellery and fashion accessories.
Having a strong interest in colour therapy, the designer's fascination with colour, together with the exploration of multi function and transformation, provide a strong influence. Dawn's vision was to design a range of accessories that are able to completely transform an outfit, as well as themselves. "I love the idea of accessories being interactive, with the ability to dramatically recreate. It gives a whole new inquisitive dimension to a handbag or a piece of jewellery. l also combine this with a strong use of colour and the amazing ways in which colour can effect us, both physically and emotionally. I guess you could say my inspiration is quite a cocktail of transformation."
Continually exploring this theme, the designer has recently turned her passion for accessories, to include a range of interior accessories, in the form of her unique wall screens. Designed to uplift, energize or unwind, a strong contrast to the leather jewellery and accesories, but equally as colourful!
"Be extraordinary, think extraordinary, and of course wear extraordinary, for ordinary you are not!"
Enjoy!