Entwine is the new collection from Curio Noir’s Tiffany Jeans and collaborator (and friend), Richard Orjis. The collection was launched on the 8th August in store at the Simon James space at The Department Store in Takapuna…
Entwine by Curio Noir
Entwine is the new collection from Curio Noir’s Tiffany Jeans and collaborator (and friend), Richard Orjis. The collection was launched on the 8th August in store at the Simon James space at The Department Store in Takapuna. The whole front window has been devoted to the enchanting simple design ethic of Tiffany Jeans.
Beautiful though it is, it is even more breathtaking to smell. We imagine it won’t be long until the whole store is subtly perfumed.
There are three new ‘stories within stories’, to be added to the Lilith doll and skull candles that she is already well known for.
First is a collaboration with the very talented (and charming) artist Richard Orji. He has designed the prints for both the tablecloths and napkins the Curio Noir will be carrying. Made from linen imported from Belgium, each tablecloth requires two people to manage the printing process, and they are hemmed at the raw edges only. Each one is finished with a cast bronze label hand-stitched into place. The napkins have a gentle floral print, again, hand-printed onto the fabric. The tablecloths retail for $240 and $299, and the napkins are $70 per pair.
Then there are the new candles. They come in two styles and three colour ways. There are the Church Candles, which are taller, and more generous than you would usually find. They come in Old Rose, Twig, Olive and Stone colourways, continuing the nature theme through from the linen tableware. Each is adorned with a miniature wax doll – taking it from simply pretty to ever so slightly sinister. Each candle is lightly perfumed with Curio Noir’s signature fragrance – Vetyer Bouquet. The Pillar Candles are more substantial, and again come in the three colour ways. The Church Candles are $35 and the Pillar Candles are $46 each.
The final ‘story’ is my personal favourite – Curio Glass. Each piece of glassware is made by three different people, taking the expression ‘handmade’ to a whole new realm. These are truly hand blown, not machine made – each is finished with the Curio Noir stamp – much like the old-fashioned wax seals. They have an apothecary-like appearance, and each of the three different perfumed candles (hand poured), has a different coloured glass that it is made in. It is this simple attention to detail which makes each candle feel very luxurious, and precious.
The two new perfumes, which are made in Grasse, France – are Chypre Gardenia and Black Spice. The Black spice has notes of fresh tea, cinnamon and nutmeg – and it is quite unlike anything else I have experienced. The Chypre Gardenia has a wonderful old fashion quality with gardenia, violets and vetiver. Much as I loved both of them – my favourite is still the softly heady Vetyver Bouquet.
There are no essential oils in these candles, any of them. They are instead, perfumed, in the truest sense of the word. They are also soy candles – but not purely, they also have ethically farmed palm oil added to them. There is hardly anyone else in the world using this mix, so this adds even more to the ‘unique’ feel of these candles. They are $115 each, but they are, quite simply a quiet work of art.
By Anya Brighouse 9 August 2011
Additional photos Megan Robinson
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