Sunday 29 January 2012

Outfit buiding with Emi♥



This season, Navajo inspired outfits are all over the high street. Go for mixed patterns, layered knits, bright colours and feather & fur.

Finish off with antique inspired accessories and a good pair of heels or boots.

As featured above, the Feather Necklace & Feather earrings all online now.

Get into the Indian spirit of things, but a drum & a didgeridoo (we already have ours, seriously!) Make a healthy jug of Pimms and enjoy with friends around a camp-fire on the beach. Ideal.

Love, Your Emi. x x x

Wednesday 25 January 2012

There is beauty where ever you look in the world...


I have always lived in the city, and many people would argue that it can be a really, really ugly place to live. I on the other hand feel you just need to open your eyes a little wider. Take this photo our photographer, Steven took a quick shot at just as he was walking back to the office.

OK, so some may think yeah it just looks like a real eye sore, but you have to look beyond that. Inside this "mess" and great pile of rubble some unknown graffiti artist once brightened up the room with their work.



Just look beyond the rubble...I love the free flowing use of the spray paint and the contrast between the two walls. On one wall, the paint is reminiscant of Tim Burtons work (I know I seem to go on about him all of the time, but he really is one of my favourite director's of all time) I guess you could even go as far as saying the surrealism reminds me of Picasso's work. And yet on the other wall, it has an almost child-like quality to the work with the innocent colourful circles and repeat pattern squares.


I have always been a fan of surrealism and have been inspired around the world around me. One of my favourite pictures I have ever drawn when when I was 16 and doing my GCSE's. Feeling inspired by nature and the idea that everyone holds a door to their mind, I created this piece from pastels. it took me 14 hours to sketch and then colour back in all the detail, but I am really proud of it.

I don't ever really show my drawing to others, I like to keep them to myself. Out of all there work I have ever drawn this is the only one I have hanging on my wall in the house.

I guess some could look at it and say, that piece is screaming out the angst of a teenager but to me it's all about keeping a part of yourself to yourself which is represented by the half open door with the black misty background...

What do you think?

Love,

Xander. x x

Tuesday 24 January 2012

COMPETITION TIME!


Its been a while now since we have run one of our competitions...so we thought we would kick off the new year by giving away a piece of jewellery from a brand that we love.

Wanna WIN this fab ring from Stolen Thunder? (RRP £41 and online now at Stolenthunder.com)? It simple.

1. Go to our FACEBOOK page & LIKE us.
2. Tag "Check out the new SS12 collection online now at Emi - An Ethical Company" in your status.
3. Cross your fingers and you could WIN this beautiful ring.

Good luck!

Love,

Your Emi. x x x

Tuesday 17 January 2012


After a busy morning at the office, I thought sod it, I’m going out to treat myself for some toff-toff style dinner. After all, we all deserve it once in a while.

A friend of mine found this quaint café called Time to Teatox based in the center of Manchester, close to Piccadilly Gardens.

Picture – home made cakes, treats and THEE biggest selection of tea I have ever seen.



I finally settled on a parsnip soup & falafel flat bread combo with some Raspberry tea. It wasn’t cheap at £11 odd for dinner, but my god it was worth it.

I thoroughly recommend the place. The staff were friendly and the food all home made which I find is the icing on the cake. Ok, so it did take a little time to arrive, but hey-ho when your having food made to order, its well worth the wait!

Love, Xander. x

Monday 16 January 2012

Behind the scenes at my day job...

So, as most of you already know, I also work a day job for a new fashion brand based here in Manchester called Mee Mee.

Seeing the array of colours which arrived at my desk this morning, it really got me in the mood for SS12 and this stock lends it’s self so well to the key trend colour pop which is all over the highstreet and as seen in the SS12 fashion shows last year.




From chunky knits, so acid bright skinny jeans this season is set to be all about colour (which is a bit of a bummer for me, seeing as I mostly wear black!)






Check the over-sized tops, the coloured knitwear and uber bright jeans. These are priced at a modest £34.99 for a pair of jeans and from £24.99 for one of these fab bright knits.





They will be online from next week, so keep on checking back!

Love, Xander. x

Sunday 15 January 2012

Under That Cloud - Jewellery in Manchester's Art Gallery

Under that cloud was an exhibition of jewellery by 18 international artists produced in response to their experience of being stranded together in Mexico City in April 2010 under the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud.

Their enforced stay became an exciting opportunity to make new work inspired by their impressions of Mexico – the vibrant colours, the traffic chaos, the architecture, the ancient heritage, the music and the people.

This was one of my favourite pieces. It was created from wires which were found along the streets of Mexico and transformed into wearable pieces of jewellery. Totally impractical, but what a statement piece of jewellery!


This 5 set necklace was created using very strict techniques. The first piece was created using 2 finger tips, the next 4 finger tips and so. Each piece was slightly bigger than the last but all are to be worn together.


This piece was quite futuristic. It was made from gold and suspended in air. The wearer wears the bracelet quite high on the arm and ties the lace around (or so i imagined)


These bracelets were really quirky. Each one was threaded by hand by the artist.


These pieces excited the eco side of my brain. They were made from plastic found in Mexico, off cuts and scraps stern across the street. I loved the idea of up-cycling material which would have remained on the streets, and turning it into wearable pieces of jewellery.


These brooches were really cute. Loved the colours and they are totally SS12! I would have had one in every colour but I was too afraid to ask the price!


This pieces was another one of my favourites. It was made from copper and had ruby and sapphire gem stones suspended within the copper. I could only imagine what this piece will look like in time if it gets left outside.


Totally statement jewellery, but maybe a little too in your face for my liking. Although the detailing on the plane was fantastic and really inspiring for me.


I have left this one for last. It was a gold ring, encased in a spanish novel. Subtly placed on a page in the book with powerful text.

I think it's really important for me as a designer/buyer to keep up to date with what is happening in todays jewellery market. These pieces were very unique, and I think a little too "out there" for the brand but I have had some amazing ideas from today which I plan to take forward into the AW12 collection.

I loved how free the pieces were, and some of the more unusual materials which were used - especially the copper brooch. Quite a few of the pieces were gold plated with the odd gemstone concealed within. As for a good day out on a Sunday, today has been amazing and I recommend everyone in our field to take a trip to the gallery. Whats even better, is that is it free!

Photographs from today were from the brands photographer, Steven. To view the full collection, just go HERE.

Hope you have all had as much fun as we have today!

Love, Xander & Steven.

x x x

Saturday 14 January 2012

Emi♥ + Kpop = Heaven!


So, as you all may have heard, Emi♥'s name came about from us travelling in Asia. We have always been a huge fan of Asia, I swear in my previous life I was actually Asian. I think I was a little Japanese woman but that’s another story!

Not many of us here in the UK will have heard of 4Minuite but they are one of my favorite Kpop bands. 4Minute (Korean: 포미닛) are a popular five girl group band straight out of South Korea. They were created by Cube Entertainment in 2009. The band consists of:

Nam Ji-hyan
Heo Ga-yoon
Jeon Ji-yoon
Kim Hyun-a
Kwon So-hyan

Their official fan name is 4Nia which is a combination of 4Minute & mania. Their newest single "Heart to Heart" is out now! I love the girls website as you can download for FREE band artwork and wallpapers for your Mac.

This is me, Xander Kostroma

I have always looked to Asia for inspiration for my own fashion sense which I know lends its self so heavily towards my brand. I love how the girls mix different types of fabric and layer up so effectively which is typical of Korean fashion. Its the quirkiness and the ability to be free to express yourself through fashion which is what I feel the west lacks.

Here in England, there is still to this day a sense of stereotyping where everyone must fit into a specific conformity, into a type of box, which has to be said I feel is totally wrong.

Emi♥ is about losing this negativity and dressing how you feel for a particular day or just how your mood takes you!





I have always believed in equal rights for men and women, some may even go as far as call me a feminist, but I do believe in strong & confident women. I mean we are not back in the 1800's in the years of oppression. Rosa Parks didn't stand up for her rights for nothing on that landmark day back on the 1st December 1955!

4Minute for me, is about being who you are, dressing how you want and enjoying yourself. It is this philosophy which I strongly believe in and I believe translates into my collections I produce for Emi♥.

Have a great day!

Love Xander. x

PS - Check out one of my favourite songs by 4Minute HERE.



Images courtesy of:
http://www.fanpop.com
http://www.ygsis.wordpress.com

Thursday 12 January 2012

New jewellery pieces just landed!

The Silver Wing Necklace £9.50



Purple Flower Bracelet £9.50



Bug Ring £6



Swallow Ring £5



The Handbag Necklace £12



New lines are being added daily to our online shop. SS12 has never been so fun & care free for Emi.

Happy Shopping!

Love,

Your Emi. x

Wednesday 11 January 2012

We just love the artist Scott Radke






These bizarre but interesting creatures come from the mind of Cleveland based artist Scott Radke, who lovingly creates them from materials such as clay, fabric and human hair.

Some may call Radke’s sculptures macabre, but however weird one may find these creatures they also have a playful quirkiness which is what we fell in love with to the work of Tim Burton. (who by the way, is my top director by choice!)

I have always been interested in Burtons work - even from a little boy when I got capsulated by The Nightmare Before Christmas which I have no qualms about singing at the top of my voice along with.



Helene Bonham-Carter by the way in another one of my favourite actresses. When she teamed up again with Tim Burton for the hit film Sweeney Todd I fell in love.

Helena has always been somewhat of a trend setter when it comes to going against what is considered "in" right now. With her bohemian inspired choice of clothing and (some may say) crazy hair is what we love the most. It's this care-free approach to live which fits in so well with our brand!



Why not steal a piece of Helena's style with ourBoho-inspired jewellery If you love anything quirky and unusual, then our SS12 range is sure to be a winner for you!

Happy Wednesday!

Love,

Xander. x

Images courtesy of:
http://www.weburbanist.com
http://www.sbccfilmreviews.org
http://www.delysiastyle.com

Tuesday 10 January 2012

Say "Hello Mr Fox" with this cute rhinestone encrusted ring!


AVAILABLE NOW IN OUR SS12 RANGE

ASOS New season trends just arrived!









Thanks to the press at ASOS for sharing these images with us!

With spring in full swing, I couldn’t help but check out to see what the bigger brands are doing for this new season trend. One of my favourite collections so far for the season (and I know it has only just started, but when I love something…I REALLY love something) was what ASOS have produced.

From Navajo inspired key pieces to ice-cream coloured jeans, their new in collections are just beautiful.

ASOS really have covered all of the key trenmds this season, and as usual have put their own stamp on the collection (which is what we love the most here at Emi HQ)

Why not preview our NEW IN section for some extra special jewellery to match your brand new ASOS dress?

Love,

Team Emi. X x

Monday 9 January 2012

BRAND NEW STYLES JUST LANDED!


Peacock Drop Necklace £6


Gone Fishing Necklace £7


Bronze Elephant Necklace £14


Bronze Multi Feather Necklace £6


SHOP THE COLLECTION HERE!