Fashion Forward- Backward ANNDRA NEEN’S Metal Accessory Collection

I am always into futuristic designs and this metallic handbag intrigued me to learn more about the designers. Born and raised in Mexico City, sisters Phoebe and Annette Stephens have created a completely original and out of the box accessories brand called Anndra Neen.

Their inspirations for their line are as diverse as they are and begin with their childhood in Mexico surrounded by art and artists. Their grandmother, Annette Nancarrow, was a painter, sculptor and jewelry designer who was married to the avant-garde composer, Conlon Nancarrow, and was close friends with such icons as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Jose Clemente Orozco, Rufino Tamayo, Juan O’Gorman, Anais Nin, Merce Cunningham and John Cage. Nancarrow ‘s jewelry designs fuse pre-Columbian stones and shells with mixed metals. Her pieces were worn and collected by Frida Kahlo, Helena Rubinste

in, Peggy Guggenheim, Elizabeth Arden, Dorothy Miller, Mrs. Harry Abrams, and Helen O’Gorman and sold at Henri Bendel in New York City. Although attracted to their grandmother’s eclecticism, the sisters have drawn on their own interpretations of antique European jewelry, Egyptian and Bedouin motifs, Japanese design elements and French Medieval armor to create a vision that gives reference to its antecedents and is atthe same time relevant to the moment. Each piece is unique and hand crafted of mixed metals. The pieces from their first collection, Boy Baba, are forceful and eloquent; they are feminine and adventurous.

Like their grandparents, who were closely aligned with the Muralist Movement in Mexico, they have forged their own identity with the eclectic DNA that runs in their veins. In homage to their native country, which prides itself on the quality of it’s artisinal work, all pieces are hand made in Mexico City using un-obvious materials such as brass, copper, alpaca, silver and indigenous stones. Necklaces whose metals cascade down the torso in a symphony of movement, caged metal clutches, are an innovation unto themselves and can really be considered as works of art.

 

You can order here

All these pieces are a testament of the unique vision and talent of the Stephen’s sisters, and their meticulous artisanship. Having created such a bold and exciting brand in only 3 years, I can only imagine and eagerly anticipate what’s in the future of Anndra Neen.

Really interesting work. I would love to see pieces of these collections in museums around the world in the future.  I love their propensity for thinking outside the box.

ANNDRA NEEN

Have a lovely Day!!!

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