Gioia Mia featured in 'The Scottish Wedding Directory'

Hallo everyone!

I'm really delighted to have had a number of pieces featured in the current edition of The Scottish Wedding Directory:

This gorgeous shot teamed an elegant Swarovski rhinestone and pearl tiara, with the delicate 'Trio' necklace and earring set (in Swarovski crystal, pearl and sterling silver):

The Wedding Directory also featured the beautiful 'Callisto' necklace and earring set (in Swarovski crystal, pearl and sterling silver):

And finally, the timeless 'Semplice' necklace (a single Swarovski pearl drop on a fine sterling silver chain):

Almost all of these pieces can be made in a range of different colours - perfect for a bride, or for her maids.

Do drop me a line if you'd like to order any of these. pieces, or have a chat about something in your own colour scheme.

Links

Email Gioia Mia

The Scottish Wedding Directory

Gioia Mia featured on 'Little Miss Wedding'

Hallo everyone

I was absolutely delighted to have been featured on the gorgeous Little Miss Wedding blog.

Little Miss Wedding gives you tips, inspiration, and ideas for your special day - showcasing British wedding photographers, designers, and creators of everything lovely. LMW - the dedicated resource for UK brides looking for a unique wedding day filled with love, fun and style.

You can read the feature here:

http://www.littlemisswedding.co.uk/accessories/gioia-mia-bespoke-bridal-jewellery-accessories/

Gioia Mia photoshoot (part 2)

Photographer Alan Hutchison took some really amazing close ups of some of my pieces at the Gean House photoshoot.

These beautiful Semplice hairpins are just right for some understated bridal sparkle.

They are also available in a whole range of Swarovski crystal and Swarovski pearl colours - perfect for adding the finishing touch for bridesmaids as well.

Photography by Alan Hutchison

I really love these next two pieces, they're so delicate and the blush pink colour of the pearls and Swarovski crystals is really beautiful. The snake chain and earring hooks are sterling silver.

Photography by Alan Hutchison

Photography by Alan Hutchison

A more unsual and eyecatching necklace, but one which is still elegant and sophisticated. This is Swarovski crystal in various shades of purple and lavender, although it could be made in any combination of colours to complement an outfit. The semirigid necklet is sterling silver.

Photography by Alan Hutchison

Do drop me a line if you'd like to order any of these pieces, or have a chat about something in your own colour scheme.

With thanks to:

Alan Hutchison, photography

www.alanhutchison.co.uk

Gean House

www.geanhouse.co.uk

Fiona Bruce, model

Morag Hutchison, photographer's assistant

Gioia Mia photoshoot

I was really delighted to have been invited to take part in a photoshoot by top Scottish wedding photographer, Alan Hutchison.

The photohsoot took place in Gean House - a very beautiful Clackmannanshire Arts and Crafts house, dating back to 1912.

All the jewellery and accessories were by Gioia Mia.

Photography by Alan Hutchison

Tiara: white Swarovski pearls

Necklace and earrings: sterling silver and white Swarovski pearls

Photography by Alan Hutchison

Tiara: white Swarovski pearls and clear Swarovski crystals

Necklace and earrings: sterling silver, white Swarovski pearls and clear Swarovski crystals

Photography by Alan Hutchison

Tiara: Swarovski crystal

Necklace and earrings: sterling silver, amethyst and Swarovski crystals

All of these designs can be made in a whole range of colours. If you are interested in ordering any of these designs, please do get in touch!

With thanks to:

Alan Hutchison, photography

www.alanhutchison.co.uk

Ivory Whites, bridal couture

www.ivorywhites.co.uk

Velvet Tigers, corsetry

www.velvet-tigers.com

Gean House

www.geanhouse.co.uk

Fiona Bruce, model

Morag Hutchison, photographer's assistant

Gioia Mia featured!

I'm really delighted to have been featured by Plans and Presents wedding planner!

http://plansandpresents.blogspot.com/2010/05/supplier-spotlight-bespoke-bridal.html#comment-form

Gioia Mia magazine interview

I'm really delighted to have been interviewed about my work by 'Allezom' magazine in the States!


Here is a transcript of the interview:

Jewelry designer, Sonia Tinagli-Macrae, is the designer and maker behind the label Gioia Mia. She makes all kinds of jewelry and accessories. Most of her work is for the bridal industry, so she makes tiaras, combs, fascinators, hairpins and co-ordinating jewelry. The label, Gioia Mia, has been trading for about four years now. Sonia wanted an unusual name that reflected her Italian heritage and encapsulated what designing and making means to her, as well as the approach she brings to her work. Gioia Mia can mean either my jewel or my joy in Italian.

There has always been a fascination for accessories with Sonia and a love of things that sparkle. It was a natural step to combine all those elements and later turn talent and passion into a business.

When asked who her icons were and if they influenced her personal style, Sonia first gives credit to her Italian grandmother saying, "Some of my strongest childhood memories are of looking through her wardrobe at her clothes and accessories. I remember that she had some tiny black lace shoes that Ferragamo had made especially for her in the 1950s, and an amazing collection of hats from the 1940s. Every time I go and visit her, she will give me another perfectly-preserved piece from her wardrobe that she had made for her. The fabrics and the cut are just stunning. The workmanship is inspirational. I feel much honored to be the custodian of these little pieces of history." Sonia also mentions the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Chanel saying "It's really amazing to look at some of the photographs of Chanel from the 1920s and 1930s she looks so modern. I love Lanvin's designs, Fortuny, Issey Miyake and all those countless hundreds and thousands of unnamed seamstresses that worked with such incredible skill and precision making clothes in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries."

These different elements have influenced Sonia's personal style as she love to mix old and new, to incorporate vintage or antique items into her designs. She tells aspiring designers to follow your heart and go with what excites and interests you. Be true to yourself in essence. Sonia markets and promotes herself through word of mouth. Visit www.gioiamia.net to see more of her designs.

The story behind a bespoke design

Hallo everyone

My business card features one of the many tiaras I have made over the years:

This is the story behind this piece.

Maxine came to me, like many brides, having just bought her dress - an absolutely stunning, floor length, oyster- coloured satin dress:

Photography by Graham Bell

She told me that she was going to be wearing her great grandmother's necklace at her wedding:

Photography by Graham Bell

She knew that she wanted a tiara to wear too. Her only specification was that she wanted a 'low tiara in a modern design'.

So I went away and had a long think about the various elements that went into the design of her heirloom necklace. First and foremost there were the materials: gold, garnets, pearls. Then there was the design: delicate, graceful, curving.

I carefully brought all those elements together, and over eight hours, created a unique piece for her:

And this is Maxine wearing her beautiful, bespoke Gioia Mia tiara on her wedding day:

Photography by Graham Bell

'After the excitement of her wedding and honeymoon, she emailed me to say that 'I didn't want to take off my tiara at the end of the day, and I'm currently trying to come up with another excuse to wear it (other than around the house!). I love the way it complimented my heirloom necklace and earrings, and the colours chosen really worked well together…I felt very elegant in it. Throughout the day I had many compliments about it...beautiful and perfect for the occasion. Big thanks.' Maxine xx

I am really grateful to Graham Bell for his photographs of Maxine and Pete on their wedding day. You can see more of his work on his website: www.grahambell.co.uk