Hannah Martin
Description
Designer Hannah Martin has launched a luxury jewellery and accessories brand for men. Collaborating with the fashion, music and film industries, Hannah has created an international collection appealing to both men and women.
Why we funded
With her cutting edge, top-of-the-range brand, Hannah has carved out a new market for Britain's jewellery industry - one which, unusually, manages to attract both male and female customers.
Hannah says: "The barrier between genders is breaking down, offering new opportunities for the rapidly expanding menswear market. Mine are sleek, clean and beautiful designs, with a striking, masculine edge."
As well as discovering a previously untapped market, Hannah is breaking new ground with her designs. So much so that she is putting the spotlight on a luxury jewellery industry long overlooked in favour of fashion design.
Hannah adds: "Because most luxury jewellery is traditional, this end of the market has been ignored, written off as stuffy. It has also lost out to cheaper manufactured imports. I want my designs to demand attention, to get people talking once more about our industry."
Impact
Since receiving NESTA’s support, Hannah has launched her debut collection to widespread acclaim. Heralded as the ‘rising star of jewellery design’, Hannah is acknowledged to be shaking up the world of men’s jewellery.
Soon to be stocked in top London store Liberty’s, the collection of rings, cufflinks, bracelets and earrings has a growing band of celebrity fans, including Morrissey’s guitarist.
With her second collection planned for September 2007, Hannah is now concentrating on selling her designs to stores.
A graduate of London’s Central St Martin’s college, Hannah says: “NESTA stepped in when I was just out of arts school - and revolutionised my thinking. Not only did they give me the money to make my first collection, but they taught me how to turn a good idea into a sustainable business.”
Written: January 2007
Individual:
Hannah Martin
Programme:
Creative Pioneers
Discipline:
Jewellery design
Location:
London
Funding:
£35,000
Year funded:
2005
Website:
www.hannah-martin.com