We catch up with Mags Walker, Creative Director of Toolally jewellery to find out where she gets her inspiration and how to wear to statement jewellery.
Your jewellery has been modelled by Lara Stone and has been featured in Vogue – how did it make you feel when you saw this?
I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Does it get better than that? It does when you find out the photographer on the shoot was Mario Testino.
How would you describe the style of Toolally designs?
Bold and colourful, but always elegant. Quietly confident statement pieces designed to flatter, rather than flaunt the wearer.
You use a range of materials when creating your bold and beautiful jewellery pieces. Can you tell our readers a little bit about the materials you use?
We work in acrylics – frosted Perspex, which has a matt, semi translucent quality, marble effect acrylics and recycled plastics. Perspex is extremely light which means we can be as big and bold as we like and our earrings will still be comfortable to wear.
Toolally is located in Yorkshire, how does the rural landscape influence your design process?
We draw inspiration from the colours and shapes that surround us. Our Wobble earrings for example were inspired by Brimham rocks, an area of outstanding natural beauty just up the road from us.
What is the design process behind creating a Toolally masterpiece?
I tend to scribble ideas based on things I see around me. The Broughton estate, where we are based, provides a wealth of inspiration from the resident peacock to the stunning walled gardens. I love looking at fashion history – vintage styles are a wonderful source of inspiration.
My scribbles are always rough shapes – Kelly (Toolally studio manager) takes those shapes and draws the individual elements that go together to make the piece. Kelly is a master of colour combining – our choices are not dictated by trends but rather what looks beautiful. I think the combination of our two very different motivations for doing what we do – I like making jewellery that will complete a look – 60’s one day, Boho another, or silver screen goddess the next (I wish) – Kelly loves to create works of art. Our jewellery meets both briefs and that’s what makes it unique.
Toolally jewellery undeniably makes a statement. What advice would you give our readers who need some styling tips?
Never wear statement earrings and a statement necklace at the same time. Choose one or the other.
What designers inspire you?
Coco Chanel, Hubert de Givenchy, Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, Mary Quant, costume designer Joanna Johnston and Phillipe Starck to name but a few.
What jewellery trends can we expect to see for AW16?
The 80s aesthetic will continue to be big news, I expect to see lots more bling (it is Christmas time after all) but at Toolally we will continue to exercise restraint with just a light frosting on our elegant statement pieces.
What is the Toolally ethos?
It’s about making brave choices, taking different paths, having fun with fashion but never straying into silliness. It’s also about making sure our jewellery is comfortable to wear – beauty should absolutely not be painful.
Where do you see Toolally in the next 5 years?
I’d like to see Toolally in cool department stores across the globe displayed in our own installations – “earring bars” with something for everyone and every outfit.
When you are not busy working, what do you like to do to unwind and relax?
Cooking, skiing and cycling – the last two allow for the first to be enjoyed to the max.
Do you have any favourite upcoming British designers you are a fan of?
Eudon Choi – I’ve got one of his Brora cashmere sweaters and a bobble hat – love him. Eudon is great with proportions – something that is a very important part of a Toolally design. And if I’m allowed to include London dwelling but Swedish born designers then the lovely Louise Korner. Louise creates the most stunning fabrics, which tells a story and then uses these fabrics to create womenswear in simple, flattering shapes – beautifully crafted and truly gorgeous.
What’s your motto?
It’s my family’s motto in actual fact, and we have a gorgeous illustration of it on the studio wall: “Look for the good in everyone and the fun in everything.”