Elkin: Tough-Pretty Jewellery

A favourite of musicians, fashion editors and models, Elkin Jewellery started out as the side project of stylist Eliisa Makin. On set for a fashion shoot, she made her first bracelets during a break between shots. They were instantly picked up by friends in the industry who loved Makin’s dark but girlie spin on the quintessential friendship bracelet.

Miniature, gleaming skull charms are threaded onto woven cord in bright and pastel colours. There’s something striking and theatrical about them, but half of their appeal is how laidback they feel. These bracelets are special, but you could still wear them every day.

Two years later, London-based Makin is still best known for her signature skull-studded bracelets. But her newer collections offer just as much to get excited about:  Nefertiti turquoise in dangerous looking pendants, strangely elegant creepy crawlies in a mix of different metals, and dramatic drop earrings. All perfect for piling on in different colours or layering with pieces you already own.

Everything Elkin is still handmade, and earlier this summer a pop-up shop off Carnaby Street cemented its reputation as one of London’s coolest jewellery labels. Makin’s hinted that future designs will reference Surrealism and pop culture - I can’t wait to see how she’ll fuse them with her tough-but-pretty aesthetic.