New Southwell boutique sells quirky and classic jewellery

 

(Photo:black prom dresses uk)After years of filling her annual Christmas list with the latest must-have jewellery items, 36-year-old Rebecca Gibbions is putting all of her festive favourites together and sharing them with the public with the launch of her own shop.

The mother-of-two is the owner behind new contemporary jewellery boutique, Last Night I Dreamt, now located in Queen Street, Southwell.

But unlike the traditional jewellery shops dotted across Nottinghamshire, Rebecca’s handpicked jewellery is displayed on objects including antlers and hardback books.

Making the boutique creative and quirky was one of the key elements for Rebecca, who lives in Southwell with her husband, Chris, son Reuben, eight, and daughter Beatrice, five.

The owner says: “I opened about four weeks ago. I’m amazed at how well it’s taken off. People really seem to be responding to the jewellery and the designers I stock. Everyone seems to really love the designs by brands including Alex Monroe and I’ve already almost sold out of the Daisy London collection.

“I’ve tried to pull together some really good designers into one shop so that it can become one of those go-to places where people can get a range of jewellery and brands they’ve heard of.”

The store sells popular jewellery brands as well as independent designers that Rebecca has handpicked for their quality and edgy designs. All are priced around the £200 mark and below.

This includes designer Alex Monroe – famed for his iconic bumblebee pendant that has been spotted on celebrities such as Sienna Miller and Sophie Dahl.

There is also the Daisy London brand – inspired by exotic jewellery from across the world – and Claudia Bradby, who offers a modern twist on the classic pearl.

Rebecca says: “Claudia Bradby is famous for her pearls and is worn by celebrities including Dame Helen Mirren, who wore the duo pearl earrings to an event. Daisy London also boasts celebrity fans in Ellie Goulding and Cara Delevingne.

“And then I’ve got some more quirky designers like Tom Pigeon who works with things like copper and creates quite graphic-looking pieces. He does cufflinks for men too.

“I’ve got a collection for little girls too called Molly Brown of London, which has been dubbed ‘Tiffany for girls’. They have slogans like little fairies and things that can be engraved.

“I’m trying to stock up-and-coming designers and edgy things as well as classic pieces that people will wear forever.”

Rebecca picks all of the jewellery and designers herself, going from a mix of her own love for jewellery and seasonal trends.

This means that there is something for everyone within Last Night I Dreamt – whether you’re looking for an unusual geometric necklace, a bright statement ring or a pair of stud earrings.

“On Saturday I had a 21-year-old who had been given some money for her birthday and she came in and bought the silver bumblebee necklace, but then the week before I had a few ladies in their 30s and 40s buying the bumblebee. I’ve also had older ladies who love the pearls despite them having a more modern twist. It seems that there is something for all ages,” she says.

“I’ve looked at what I like – I’ve not picked anything that I don’t like personally but it’s finding the right balance of having an awareness of your customer base and what they will like but also looking at what you like. I need to be able to talk about something in an excited way to sell it.”

But necklaces, bracelets and earrings weren’t always the shop owner’s forte, who previously enjoyed a long career in the television industry working and travelling across the globe.

“I’ve always loved fashion but my background is in television. I was a freelance producer/director mainly at BBC Manchester but I worked all over the country and filmed all over the world,” she explains.

“I did a programme called Liquid Assets for BBC Three, where we looked at the money celebrities made. I also worked on Panorama.

“The store is a massive career change for me. I spent eight years out of work with the children when I had them, and when my little one started school I had a year of feeling completely lost and not knowing what I was going to do. This shop then became available and a few people said that I could do it with my interest in fashion. I knew I could do it because I’ve always been quite creative.”

And it seems that the Nottinghamshire town of Southwell was the perfect choice to embark on her fashion dreams.

“Southwell is a place where people meet and it’s quite an affluent area. It’s got a lovely high street with a lot of boutiques but it definitely needed a contemporary jewellery shop. People do travel to Southwell on a weekend for its shops and sights.”

She adds: “I’ve always had a thing about accessories. Every Christmas I’ll have spotted something I want. I think it goes back probably to childhood but I’ve always loved keeping up on the latest trends. I don’t want to get jewellery that is out of people’s price range. I want women to find something here that is really classic and beautiful but affordable and stylish.”Read more at:pink prom dresses