Discovering new and up-and-coming designers is one of BDMOTP’s favorite activities, and the showrooms at London Collections: Men happens to be a great spot for doing so. Here we began chatting with Alice Walsh, designer of Alice Made This, featuring innovative tie and lapel pins, dress shirt studs and cufflinks.
Reflection, The Alice Made This SS15 collection
I was immediately intrigued and starting asking questions about the unique and special pieces in front of me (my eyes are naturally drawn to sparkly, shiny objects).
Alice showing some shirt buttons
Alice and her business partner (and husband, perhaps? Such lovely people!) were so interesting to talk with and in doing so, you can really feel the positive energy and passion for what they do. So what is it, exactly, that they do and why is it so unique?
Alice Made This is a company dedicated to creating unique pieces by focusing on their manufacturing. Now, at first this sounds a bit confusing, but let me explain. They create each group of items in a specific way for their SS15 Collection, Reflection:
The first group, Precision Turned Metal, is created with a process done in the engineering and aerospace industries using solid steel and brass.
The Precious Metal Electroplating uses techniques from nanotechnology, with materials like gold, rhodium, silver and copper.
The Ropework designs are marine inspired and hand woven by British rope makers in East Anglia.
The Investment Casting uses a metal forming process that dates back to 5000 years ago, also used to produce things like gears and turbine place casts bronze with silver and rose gold finishes.
Some of the pieces made with the Investment Casting process.
And even better news–every single piece is made right there in Britain. In a land where just about everything is “Made in China” this was like music to my ears. These original, classy pieces are reminiscent of a time where things were truly “manufactured”…fleeting thoughts of smokestacks and the industrial revolution flood my mind… so very, very British. I am especially fond of the Rose Gold pieces in the line. Rose Gold is so “in” right now, and I love how it has that antique, vintage feel to it. These pieces are quaint and special, perfect for a dapper man searching for just the right accessory.
Posted by Lori Zaino and photos by Paloma Canseco.
