The streets of New Orleans will be full of beads today in celebration of Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday. Parade participants usually throw objects into the crowds such as sunglasses and beaded necklaces. What am I going to do with another one? Davis, who has been attending the annual parades, admitted that he once caught 15 foam footballs at a parade. The waste is becoming a defining characteristic of this event,’ said Grounds Krewe founder Brett Davis. Approximately one million people attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans every year. She added that the nonbiodegradable plastics are a threat to fish and wildlife. The non-profit is now advertising more than two dozen types of non-plastic and sustainable items, including beads made out of paper. Enck is hoping that parade organizers will begin using biodegradable alternatives that Davis is promoting. Mardi Gras does not fall on the same date every year, but it always occurs on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday – the first day of Lent. The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to medieval Europe during the years of pagan celebrations of spring and fertility. It has since become a day full of parades and celebrations worldwide in places like New Orleans, Venice, and Rio. There are great ways to have fun around this wonderful festival,’ she said. When they don’t make their way into the crowd, the plastic beads can often be spotted tangled up in tree branches. The parades celebrating the Carnival season began in New Orleans on January 6 and at least five more are taking place today throughout the city. Other times, the necklaces can be found inside the aging storm drainage systems. The organization participates in multiple parade cleanups during the carnival season. Mardi Gras is being celebrated today worldwide and its notable parades usually take place in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Grounds Krewe is a non-profit organization in Louisiana that promotes waste prevention, recycling, and sustainable products at special events in New Orleans. According to their website, the Mardi Gras parades can produce up to 2.6 million pounds of trash in the streets, storm drains, and landfills in 12 days. According to WDSU, it’s estimated that an average of 25 million pounds of plastic beads are given out at New Orleans Mardi Gras parades every year. However, once the parades in New Orleans are over, the streets end up covered in trash and a massive cleanup operation takes place.
If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand.
Sterling Silver Signet Rings
The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. So she decided to make her own.
It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature.
Sterling Silver Thailand Ring Designs
Inspired by a wealth of artisans selling beautiful jewellery on her travels around Asia, Facebook Edge of Ember was born. Each piece of jewellery is created from start to finish within a small area of North London. London-based jewellery designer, Deborah Blyth began designing in 2004, whilst living in Italy. Cult of Youth is a London-based silver jewellery brand founded by Kelly Seymour in 2011. The brand started out on a stall at Portobello Market, before being picked up by Urban Outfitters and sold at its stores. Stellar 79 is a British demi-fine jewellery brand created by sisters Natasha and Sheena. In 2015, the brand shifted tack as Seymour gave birth to her son, Elvis, and started to document her life as a single mother, entrepreneur and jeweller. The collection includes base earrings (https://www.backtoglamour.com/blog/2024/10/01/the-worlds-most-unusual-silver-sterling-pendant-necklace/) and chains, complemented by a range of interchangeable statement pendants to customise your look. Designs are hand crafted through the process of lost wax casting in her studio, and stone setting takes place nearby in Hatton garden. Harfi’s mission is to bring affordable, demi-fine jewellery to shoppers, working directly with its artisan partners. These stories of romance, travel and history were the founding concept behind Carousel Jewels: modern jewellery that takes us back. Her passion for the arts and love of nature combined to influence her process, which finds beauty in imperfections. The sisters draw inspiration from their combined passion for art, fashion, travel, music, and culture across the South Asian diaspora to unify and celebrate cultural heritage and nostalgia with the present day. The Cult of Youth collection has since expanded to include on-trend, fashionable jewels with a rock ‘n’ roll edge at accessible price points. Founder Sally Louise was inspired by the films of grandparents’ time, from Casablanca to Gone with the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia. A silver letter necklace spelling out MAMA became a bestseller, and this motif has been applied to new styles including rings and lockets. Deborah is very mindful that the business be as sustainable as possible, and so she uses recycled silver and gold in all of the pieces. With dual Mauritian-Trinidadian heritage and London roots, the co-founder’s mission is to create inspired, authentic, and expressive jewellery made with a conscience.