How It's Made: SS14 Scallop Shells

Calling all mermaids! Join us on land and explore the East London studio to discover the story behind our aquatic new Spring Summer 2014 collection. You might have noticed our seriously special campaign shots. We wanted to create an otherworldly effect... so we held our shoot underwater! Our amazing models dove into the deep and brought each piece to life whilst holding their breath. First things first: let's go back to the very beginning. One sunny day last year, Harriet began work on the top-secret new jewellery, surrounding herself with inspiring objects and mood boards. Shell specimens carried home from Rosie's beach adventures covered every surface in our East London studio and beguiling sea sirens swam through Team Tatty's dreams. Ever visited our Brick Lane store? Well, just around the corner, our talented team of girls are working hard to bring exciting new designs to life! Yes, you really are that close to top-secret upcoming jewellery... Harriet began by drawing a perfect miniature scallop shell and after lots of revisions, it headed downstairs to our talented Production team to sample. Every piece of Tatty Devine jewellery goes through a long process to make sure it sits perfectly when worn and is the very best it can possibly be. Once Harriet and Rosie have given the final go-ahead, the jewellery becomes reality! Becs carefully laser cuts each scallop shell in oil on water effect iridescent Perspex. During the cutting process, it's covered in a plastic film to protect the pieces from being damaged. There's some serious shininess under there!  Harriet wanted our scallop shells to feel just like real specimens, so each gleaming shell is hand curved by our talented team to give it a perfect shape. The process creates an amazing mother of pearl effect that changes colour in the light. It really does look like mermaid treasure now! Wendy diligently cleans each shell before hand embellishing it with a pretty pearlised oyster bead. Oooh, we can't wait to see the finished piece! Ta-da! Brick Lane store star Hanni teams tumbling Ariel locks with a pastel knit and our Scallop Shells Necklace. All she needs now is her very own Flounder... Ready to take the plunge? Grab yourself a conch shell, head for the beach and explore the full Scallop Shell collection now.