Theo Fennell | |
---|---|
Born | Alister Theodore Fennell 8 August 1951 |
Nationality | British |
Education |
Eton Byam Shaw School of Art |
Occupation(s) | Jewellery and silverware designer |
Spouse | Louise MacGregor |
Children | 2, including Emerald Fennell |
Website |
www |
Alister Theodore Fennell (born 8 August 1951) [1] is a British jewellery and silverware designer. He is often called the "King of Bling" for his flamboyant designs for celebrity clientele. [1] [2] In 1982, he founded Theo Fennell, his eponymous jewellery business. [3] In 2009, he returned to the helm after leaving the company for 18 months. [3] He regained control of the company in 2021. [4] [5]
Fennell was born in 1951 in Egypt. [2] He was educated at Eton, [6] and then York College of Art, followed by the Byam Shaw School of Art, now part of the University of the Arts London. [7]
After art school, Fennell's first job was as an apprentice and designer at Edward Barnard, a long-established silversmiths in Hatton Garden. [8] [2] Following his apprenticeship, he formed his first jewellery business in 1974. [9] In 1982, he opened his first Theo Fennell store at 177 Fulham Road in Chelsea, a location he chose to be closer to his clients. [9] In 1997, he moved his flagship store into the building he helped design at 169 Fulham Road. [9]
In 2007, Fennell held an exhibition, Show Off!, at London's Royal Academy of Art, [9] consisting of an array of installations, dioramas, paintings, presentations and sculptures, each showcasing a piece of Fennell's jewellery. [10]
In 2008, Fennell founded The Original Design Partnership, a design consultancy, specialising in jewellery, silver, and curios while also working in other design fields, and mentoring young British designers. [11]
By 2011, Fennell had expanded from jewellery into items such as silver photo frames, cocktail shakers and jugs, with more products in design. [12] In 2011, bespoke items, including the Secret Garden ring with yellow gold, paraiba tourmaline, diamond and enamel were listed at £40,000 or more. [12]
In May 2022, Fennell announced that after 25 years, he was to move from 169 Fulham Road to Chelsea Barracks, as the rent had become "ludicrous". [5]
Customers have included Elton John, Joan Collins, Elizabeth Hurley, Madonna, and Lady Gaga. [13]
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths (IPG) [14] [15] and an ambassador for The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council. [16] He is a liveryman of the Goldsmiths Company, and an honorary fellow of the University of the Arts London. [17]
In 2022, his memoir, I Fear for This Boy: Some Chapters of Accidents, was published. [2]
He lives in London with his wife, Louise (née MacGregor), an author. [6] [2] They have two daughters, Emerald, a writer, actor and director, and Coco, a fashion designer. [6] [2]
Theo Fennell | |
---|---|
Born | Alister Theodore Fennell 8 August 1951 |
Nationality | British |
Education |
Eton Byam Shaw School of Art |
Occupation(s) | Jewellery and silverware designer |
Spouse | Louise MacGregor |
Children | 2, including Emerald Fennell |
Website |
www |
Alister Theodore Fennell (born 8 August 1951) [1] is a British jewellery and silverware designer. He is often called the "King of Bling" for his flamboyant designs for celebrity clientele. [1] [2] In 1982, he founded Theo Fennell, his eponymous jewellery business. [3] In 2009, he returned to the helm after leaving the company for 18 months. [3] He regained control of the company in 2021. [4] [5]
Fennell was born in 1951 in Egypt. [2] He was educated at Eton, [6] and then York College of Art, followed by the Byam Shaw School of Art, now part of the University of the Arts London. [7]
After art school, Fennell's first job was as an apprentice and designer at Edward Barnard, a long-established silversmiths in Hatton Garden. [8] [2] Following his apprenticeship, he formed his first jewellery business in 1974. [9] In 1982, he opened his first Theo Fennell store at 177 Fulham Road in Chelsea, a location he chose to be closer to his clients. [9] In 1997, he moved his flagship store into the building he helped design at 169 Fulham Road. [9]
In 2007, Fennell held an exhibition, Show Off!, at London's Royal Academy of Art, [9] consisting of an array of installations, dioramas, paintings, presentations and sculptures, each showcasing a piece of Fennell's jewellery. [10]
In 2008, Fennell founded The Original Design Partnership, a design consultancy, specialising in jewellery, silver, and curios while also working in other design fields, and mentoring young British designers. [11]
By 2011, Fennell had expanded from jewellery into items such as silver photo frames, cocktail shakers and jugs, with more products in design. [12] In 2011, bespoke items, including the Secret Garden ring with yellow gold, paraiba tourmaline, diamond and enamel were listed at £40,000 or more. [12]
In May 2022, Fennell announced that after 25 years, he was to move from 169 Fulham Road to Chelsea Barracks, as the rent had become "ludicrous". [5]
Customers have included Elton John, Joan Collins, Elizabeth Hurley, Madonna, and Lady Gaga. [13]
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths (IPG) [14] [15] and an ambassador for The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council. [16] He is a liveryman of the Goldsmiths Company, and an honorary fellow of the University of the Arts London. [17]
In 2022, his memoir, I Fear for This Boy: Some Chapters of Accidents, was published. [2]
He lives in London with his wife, Louise (née MacGregor), an author. [6] [2] They have two daughters, Emerald, a writer, actor and director, and Coco, a fashion designer. [6] [2]