Dicha | The Blog

A Sneak Peak at Fashion Week

2012-03-01T12:31:00.002Z

London Fashion Week might seem like a distant memory after the flurry that was Milan Fashion Week, with the swoon worthy Dolce & Gabanna and Prada AW12 collections and now with Paris Fashion Week gearing up to sweep the crown. Being the latest addition to join Dicha HQ, they sent me off to the cobbles of Somerset House to document London's emerging talent and snap away at some eye catching moments.

What were your favourites at New York, London and Milan Fashion Weeks? Who are you most excited to see at Paris? Our eyes are firmly focused for Marc Jacobs' genius at Louis Vuitton and of course, Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, with all of his monochrome fancy.

DICHA IN VOGUE

2012-02-21T11:17:00.002Z

We are feeling very proud at Dicha HQ for finally making it in to March Vogue. It has only taken 3 years, 4 days, 14 hours, 23 seconds and lots of sore fingers, to finally get there. And my how we have arrived. In an oh-so-stylish shoot called Lady Luxe, shot by the one and only Mario Testino (we bow before you). These pictures are so beautifully styled, it is a true honour. First and foremost we would like to thank our pliers for always being there, our loyal staff and fans around the world .....

'Emandine' 50's teal crystal scalloped grand dame necklace £545

'Belle' 40's crystal flower and bakelite earrings £350

Are You Street Enough?

2012-02-06T13:09:00.003Z

We have spent many a moment observing street style photographs in magazines wondering how flattering it must be to be stopped and clicked at for how good you are looking on a particular day and then for the picture to be published. Although some photos can be a little desperate sometimes, this gives us something to aim for whilst getting dressed and wondering ... are we street enough?

Inspired this weekend by 'Bill Cunningham New York' a new film by Richard Press (out now on DVD but hitting screens in March). Documenting the work of Cunningham, a candid street photographer following fashion on the streets of New York, snapping at anyone fashionable enough from celebrities, socialites and fashion personalities to mere folk like us. Watch out New York, we are coming!!

Diane & Chantal, Camden Town, London

Paris - Art Costes!

2012-01-30T12:18:00.003Z

On a recent trip to Paris we were inspired by some incredible wall art. You just don't see Graffiti like this roaming around London and believe me Graffiti it is. Did you know that Graffiti ranges from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings so to the thugs that keep spraying Stussy & Metallica on the walls of my house, please take note

and do something pretty next time.

Not content with staring at walls and always on the hunt for something delicious to eat we tripped up outside Hotel Costes where we feasted on the most sensational Tarte aux Pommes Fines (one of 4 desserts that we ordered). Now that is a place where you can stare at the walls (and the people), whilst eating all day long.

January Blues

2012-01-09T14:30:00.002Z

Well some of us got what we wanted for Christmas - Chantal got the glasses, Ezetie got the lens, Ani had ample time to sleep and sadly Diane did not get engaged. We decided the only way to lift her out of the 'January blues' was to shop and shopping we did! Being the obsessed vintage shoppers that we are, we bought loads and loads of fabulous pieces that we cannot wait to restyle!! Who needs diamonds anyhow?

All we want for Christmas...

2011-12-19T10:57:00.000Z

With seven days and six sleeps to go, we have started to get very excited about what might be waiting for us under the Christmas tree. Here are a few things we are wishing for...

Chantal is hoping for a perforated leather clutch by Marni (already on hold at Harvey Nichols)! She is also coveting Miu Miu's 1940's inspired sunglasses in tartaruga.

Diane hopes that her partner will finally get down on one knee and do the honourable thing. Fingers crossed he reads this then...! We'll keep you updated. Failing that, she will settle for a digital dictaphone.

Ani wants a pair of socks - but not just any old socks. She is hankering after a pair of beautiful Comme des Garçons polka dot socks. Most of all and above everything else though, she just wants time to sleep. Who doesn't?!

Ezetie is very much hoping for a new 50mm lens for her SLR camera but would be content with some Cowshed peppermint foot scrub or a gorgeous framed illustration by KT Smail.

But the best thing that we want most of all is for everyone to have a wonderful holiday and a very happy New Year!

With lots of love from Dicha x

Dicha ❤ Dior

2011-12-13T19:44:00.000Z

With its opulent designs, it’s no wonder that Christian Dior is one of the most influential design houses in the world; we adore the glamour and decadence that the label exudes.

Since John Galliano unceremoniously departed the House earlier this year, speculation has been rife as to who his successor will be. Industry insiders WWD have reported that Raf Simons (Jil Sanders) is the front runner. Fancy a collabo Raf?

To Name a Few...

2011-11-29T14:38:00.000Z

We have recently been discussing at Dicha HQ the importance of naming our products. Almost as critical as baptising and naming our offspring, we seek the perfect name that evokes the sensibilities we see in each of our handcrafted creations.

Our bible ... 'The big book of girls names' by John Ward

'Emandine' 'Lacey'

From the Great Loves of her Life

2011-11-23T14:28:00.000Z

The jewels that Elizabeth Taylor received from the great loves of her life are soon to be auctioned off at Christie's auction house in New York and online! So don't worry if you can't pop to Big A, you too could own a piece of a real love story at the click of a mouse.

Culture Fix

2011-11-21T13:36:00.000Z

Have you had your culture fix? In such great anticipation of seeing the new film My week with Marilyn, we've already booked our seats. We hope to see beyond the jewels, glitz and glamour surrounding the iconic Hollywood star.

Period Drama

2011-11-08T14:25:00.000Z

Who said Sunday night couldn't be productive? As we hide the remote and curl up to watch our drama fix of the season 'Downton Abbey' we get high on period inspiration.

Here is our homage to the ladies of 'Downton Abbey'...

For more information please visit www.dicha.co.uk

Vintage Folly

2011-11-07T14:28:00.000Z

Most hot this party season according to Style magazine is vintage costume jewellery. As they put it "It's time to raid Granny's coffers", but we say look no further than Dicha's drawers for a proper rummage.

Dicha Presents......

2011-10-11T15:20:00.000+01:00

A brand new, superific , eye catching, must have jewellery collection.

Launching Dicha Mia, we have created some limited edition collections.

The first to launch and now available at Matches is the ‘Charms of Navajo’ collection.

A capsule of brass necklaces, semi precious bracelets, cotton tassel gold plated earrings and

lucky charms all honouring the Navajo Indian tribes. Wear them to protect against unwanted

misfortune or just because they are utterly charming.

Dicha Mia ‘Charms of Navajo’ available at matchesfashion.com or Matches, Ledbury Road.

Wild Things

2011-08-25T13:44:00.000+01:00

Animals are running wild all over the catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2012.

Whether it’s an animal print, a print of an animal or a dog on the runway, this season you won't be able to ignore nature’s call. At Dicha HQ we have been inspired by this trend and are giving you a sneak peak of our new inspired creations! The full collection will be available on our website next Thursday September 1st.

www.dicha.co.uk

My Fair Competition

2011-08-11T10:57:00.000+01:00

Dicha has teamed up with SheerLuxe to offer one lucky reader the chance to win £500 to spend online! Click here to enter and get your hands on our latest creations. Need some extra luck? Forward the competition to 3 friends to double your entry. Race over there now, this competition only runs till the end of August.

Valentino - The Last Emperor

2011-07-12T13:58:00.000+01:00

If you haven't already, make sure you watch 'Valentino - The Last Emperor', which we caught on BBC4 last Friday evening. The documentary showcases the legendary designer during his final year before retirement in 2007, after a 45 year long career. It takes you on an haute couture journey through his last collection and and also gives a glimpse into his eccentric relationship with Giancarlo Giannini as they lovingly disagree about dresses, fashion-show sets, and which café they first met at.

Our favourite moments of the film were first during opening scene when Valentino bluntly states "I know what women want, they want to be beautiful" and of course when Giancarlo tells Valentino that he thinks he is too tanned. (Moi? Never!)

Get ready for some serious Couture, tears of overwhelm and plenty of pugs - we love Milton, Monty, Maude, Margot, Maggie, and Molly!

Did you know: A Valentino haute couture dress is made with hand stitched detail by white-coated seamstresses who are meticulous over every pleat and every sequin of an evening gown creation. A sewing machine was once bought by the atelier but was never used.

Midsummer Postcards from Dicha

2011-07-12T12:14:00.000+01:00

With the Summer sun gradually reaching its peak (well, at least somewhere in the world), the Dicha team let you in on their summer holiday adventures and what they are most looking forward to.

Chantal is setting off for Ibiza and is looking forward to watching the sun go down at Sunset Ashram. Dinner at La Paloma and El Chiringuito are always must. One of her favourite ways to spend the afternoon is searching for hidden treasures at the hippie market at Las Dalias, followed by picking fresh limes for an after-swim, homemade Margarita.

Diane is going to Puglia in Italy, and is ready to discover new places cycling in the summer heat. Being the food lover she is, she's looking forward to traditional Puglian cuisine with a modern flair.

Antonia is flying off to Greece and then sailing off to the island of Patmos. All she wants is iced coffee on the sand, lots of tanning and enjoying slices of watermelon on a shabby wooden boat (for the rest of her life).

Annie has beaten us all in terms of mileage, and is off to Guatemala City. She's already daydreaming of steak lunch in "La Fonda de la Calle Real" in Antigua followed by a walk through the market, sitting on the black sand beaches in the pacific having ceviche and a cold "Gallo" beer.

Dicha in Vogue Brazil's July 2011 Issue

2011-07-11T11:54:00.000+01:00

This month, Gisele features on four different versions of the covers of Vogue Brazil, while Dicha steals a spot in the 'Radar Londres' feature. The covers were shot in the Amazon by Jacques Dequeker and in New York by Patrick Demarchelier. We think she looks incredible in every image but our favourite was unanimous: the black polka dot dress. Which is yours?

Diamonds are forever..?? We hope!

2011-06-27T14:33:00.001+01:00

Following the news that Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig secretly married last week in New York, giving her the elevated status of being the latest Mrs. Bond, we take a retrospective look at some of our old favourite Bond girls.

Style Hunters

2011-06-27T12:18:00.000+01:00

If there's one thing we're good at, it's picking the best from a crowd when we're buying.
Hours spent rifling through endless rows of vintage stalls on our buying trips in London, Paris, New York and Milan have served as great training for Summer Sales expeditions.

It's not easy - you need to prepare: take a partner, dress comfortably, stretch thoroughly, and always carry a bottle of H2o to re-hydrate - you've been warned, it's a jungle out there.

Luckily though, technology has got it sorted. We now shop the sales straight from the comfort of our freshly washed linen. So rather than stretch and hydrate, relax and put the kettle on.

However, easy comes at a price - think fashion is relentless? Well, technology is lightning fast. Put those two together and you've got merciless sales and ruthless bargain hunters. Those jeans you were thinking about buying last night? Yup, they're gone, and unless you magically shrink or balloon to that size that makes you wake up screaming at night, you'll never see them again. Swiftness is therefore the key to success.

During our lunch break we bring you what's on our wish list from the Summer Sales.

To buy or not to buy?

Diane picks a Balmain Cotton Parka and Diane von Furstenberg Georginne Cuff trousers.

Chantal picks Balenciaga Silk trimmed tuxedo jacket, a Burberry Convertible cropped leather biker jacket and sneakily (as non-sale) MiH Jeans Belted shearling gilet.
Our intern, Antonia, picks The Row Stephenson leather shorts, A.P.C. leather shorts, and this ALICE by Temperley Trophy knitted cropped cardigan.

What goes around comes around...

2011-06-24T15:50:00.000+01:00

Some of us have a 70s themed party to go to this weekend and we've been trawling the internet for some inspiration. We've come up with the best of the web - and we're not talking disco and polyester! This season goddess gowns, flared trousers, slim silhouettes, pussycat bows and platform heels are taking us all on a 70s trip back in time. We hope this inspires you to get out your dusty vintage favourites from the back of the closet.

The Jumpsuit

The Pussycat Bow

The Platforms: Marni, Cutout leather platform sandals.

The Shades

The Shift Dress: Moschino Cheap and Chic dress

The 70s trend continues strongly into Autumn/Winter 11 with flares and sweeping full length coats holding steady. We take our hats off to Gucci, who we think has done it best, with vibrant emerald and purple shades, luxurious silk fabrics, furs and felt fedoras to top it all.

More than just a a kiss

2011-06-23T14:36:00.000+01:00

A couple had been trying to get out of the way of a riot when they were knocked over by crowds and police in riot gear. Alex panicked and started losing control but was soon calmed by her boyfriend Scott who embraced and kissed her while lying on the street, ignoring the anarchy around them.
They've became a worldwide sensation when Getty photographer Richard Lam snapped them kissing. Simply beautiful. Their embrace is very reminiscent of lovers on a beach from the film classic “From Here to Eternity”.

Dream on...

Pre-collections Autumn Winter 2011/2012

2011-06-16T10:23:00.000+01:00

A serious case of winter white legs is what is on our minds at the moment, still working on that tan, as we haven't even managed to get our sundresses out in the teasing London sun, and already we're meant to be rushing to buy coats and woollies before they run out in high end boutiques! But yes, yes, yes - fashion is fast and relentless and we love to be the first to wear new trends.

Fact: A resort collection is based on buyers’ feedback from the catwalks and is the collection that will bring in the big cash for a fashion label.

Here are our favourite picks.

Coloured lapelles at Celine

Relentless winter prints at Proenza Schouler

Sequins at Pucci and No 21

Helmut Lang's classic leather and slitted maxi skirt

Celebrity Couples we Love and Loved

2011-06-13T13:43:00.000+01:00

While Kate Moss is having her Big Fat Gypsy themed hen night in the Isle of White, others like model Karen Elsen and Jack White are celebrating at their very own Divorce Party. As fun as that sounds, the beginning of a relationship is always the most exciting, and here at Dicha we're intrigued by the rumors about Blake Lively and Leonardo DiCaprio, especially since she is Dicha's newest fan. We can't wait to see her in one of our pieces... perhaps on a night out with Leo?

Here are some of our favourite Hollywood Couples, classic and new.

Blake and Leo

Smokin' hot: Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson

Cool as cats: Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis

Snuggle up: Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman

Hold me tight: Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer

Wheels of love: Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall

Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner

Je t'aime non plus: Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin

Under her spell: Jane Birkin

2011-06-06T14:57:00.000+01:00

Not only does she have an Hermes bag and a Miller Harris scent named after her, she is an inspiration to many and a style icon in all respects. Even in just a simple pair of flared jeans and t-shirt, holding a basket in one hand and Charlotte in the other, she looks effortlessly breathtaking.
She has us all under her spell.

Get the Look: Hippy Chic

2011-06-06T13:50:00.000+01:00

As festival season draws closer and closer, our jeans have begun fading, we're putting flowers in our hair, we're contemplating packing up and moving to San Francisco to live barefoot on the streets.

.... Maybe not.

We've selected some pieces to give you that laid back hippie look.

From left to right: Golden Hearts Necklace, Porta Necklace, White Heart Necklace, Celeste Ring, Aramintha Bracelet, Ivanka Bracelet.

We ♥ London

2011-06-06T11:06:00.000+01:00

Dicha Loves London. Here are a few of our favourite things to do in The Big Smoke. (Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens put aside for now).

Head to D&Me for those one of a kind fashion finds or to Alfie's Antique Market on Church Street for endless hours of antique furniture hunting.
We love Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Oriental - The best 'light' burgers in town!
Time for a coffee or tea break?: Teas Me in Ladbroke Grove and Maison Bertaux in Soho are best for fresh patisserie to accompany a catch up with an old friend.
Mid week lunch break at Princi - make sure to grab a slice of passion fruit cheesecake and save it for that late afternoon snack.
We love dinner at Inaho or Manna at Primrose Hill, and for drinks we recommend Lychee Martinis at E&O or Bellinis at Cecconi.

Had enough of food?

On the weekend: a walk in Petersham Nurseries surrounded by Mother Nature's hippy best. On a sunny day jump on a Regents Canal Cruise from Maida Vale to Camden Lock, or on a a rainy day explore the Enchanted Palace at Kensington Palace.

Gallery: Be inspired by your icons: an Audrey Hepburn exhibition is on until 10th of July at Proud Camden... and of course for a more contemporary injection, the Tate Modern is always a great way to get carried away into the late afternoon.

When we've had enough of Hollywood, we love The Curzon for an alternative old movies cinema experience.

We have their album playing on repeat in the office, so if you feel like being a little more energetic at the end of the month we suggest their concert: Arcade Fire playing at Hyde Park on June 30th.

A peak into Dicha HQ

2011-06-02T13:14:00.001+01:00

Tassel and Fringe Mania

2011-06-02T10:22:00.000+01:00

If you thought tassels were only for dining room curtains and velvet cushions, think again. They're our common obsession in our little office. From Chanel, Gucci, to DVF, the catwalks are swishing with a tassel and fringe obsession. Get the look with our latest tasseled pieces.

Or if you feel like going all out, pull down the living room tasseled curtains for that to die for Von Trapp ensemble.

Sensational Summer Sale at Beaufort House!

2011-05-17T17:28:00.000+01:00

Our friends are hosting a Sensational Summer Sale tomorrow (Wednesday 18th) at Beaufort House with brands including Dicha, Soler, MIH, Phoebe Coleman and Chinti & Parker, just to name a few. With so much to pick from and up to 30% off, make sure you come along to grab yourself a bargain, just in time for that long awaited summer wardrobe! Dicha will be there too with our collection of restyled vintage statement pieces. See you there!

Portion of proceeds will be donated to Breast Cancer Research Charity - TOO MANY WOMEN

WED 18th MAY (tomorrow!)
2PM - 8PM

Wednesday 18 May
Beaufort House
354 Kings Road
London SW3 5UZ

Inspiration: Cannes Layering

2011-05-16T14:42:00.001+01:00

Rachel McAdams piles on the bangles at the Cannes Sleeping Beauty premiere. We do the same to add some rock to our daily outfits. Take a look at the Dicha bracelets here.

You Cannes go anywhere with a french bicycle (un velo)...

2011-05-16T13:09:00.000+01:00

...even to the Cannes Film Festival! Frederique Bel gets racy at the 'Habemus Papam' Premiere.

Our Summer Love-in Sale

2011-05-10T13:55:00.000+01:00

Summer Love-in sale with friends Sunuva and Chinti & Parker.

All necklaces are 20% off this May. Enter the code 20NKS at the Dicha checkout.

Hurry! Selling like hotcakes!

Pin Up Exhibition At Cannes Film Festival

2011-05-10T11:34:00.000+01:00

They don't make them like this anymore!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T17:44:00.000+01:00

Always honest, almost always right... What's the best advice your mother's given you?

Christian Lacroix curates at Musée du Quai Branly

2011-05-05T12:49:00.001+01:00

We didn't just eat macaroons all day...
We also stumbled upon an exhibition by Christian Lacroix called L’Orient des Femmes.

The exhibition displays traditional costumes from the Middle-East in the most beautiful array of colours and patterns. Learning about traditions that are passed on from mother to daughter is an inspiration in our ethnically diverse office.

Born Today: Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993)

2011-05-04T20:46:00.000+01:00

The iconic actress would have turned 82 today. Nevertheless, her memory and influence is everlasting. She remains a style icon to all generations of women. Tonight, we pay tribute, relax and enjoy a Hepburn movie marathon! Our favourite is My Fair Lady. What's yours?

Dicha Loves: Ladurée

2011-05-04T11:24:00.001+01:00

Ok, so maybe we took a few breaks. A girl's gotta eat and the Dicha girls just LOVE good food! As good food is no joke in France, we couldn't resist making a stop at Ladurée on Rue Royale for some much deserved macaroons. Yummy!

Dicha does the City of Lights

2011-05-04T11:23:00.001+01:00

Some of the Dicha girls have just returned from a buying trip in Paris. We promise we were very hard at work... most of the time!

3-5 kilos? Beat That Kate Middleton!‏

2011-04-27T12:26:00.000+01:00

This photo was taken in Morocco between 1934 - 1939 by Jean Besancenot. Did you know... a common tradition in Morocco is to braid hair using jewels?

...while in Egypt, young girls wore 3-5 kilos of silver jewellery on the day of their wedding. Chokers, necklaces, headdresses with chains of silver coins, armbands, bracelets and anklets. Guests would also bring more jewellery as gifts and would adorn the bride on stage.

Remembering Royalty

2011-04-27T11:44:00.000+01:00

With preparations for the Royal wedding well underway, the constant talk of wedding dresses, cakes and hairdos have got some of us daydreaming, others updating our secret wedding scrapbook, and some rolling our eyes until our eyeballs eject while trying to hold down our food. Here at Dicha, we are curious to find out one thing: how will Kate accessorise? Bridal tradition says that the jewellery shouldn't make the dress, but instead subtly complement it. Judging from the past, that doesn't necessarily apply to royalty, and it certainly shouldn't!

So, what will it be? Tiara, necklace, choker, earrings or, like in the above, all of them them at once? We certainly hope it's not the latter! We're sure the balance will be just right, but if Kate is already wearing Diana's engagement ring, will her choice of jewellery be her 'something borrowed' or her 'something new'? Being the vintage junkies that we are, we can't wait to see whether she will bring something modern to the throne, follow tradition, or, as we love most, a little bit of both.

P.S.

Or just pack like this...

2011-04-26T22:39:00.000+01:00

Pack like a Pro

2011-04-26T22:07:00.001+01:00

When it comes to packing, there are three types of women: those who over-pack, those who have given up with fashion altogether and those like us. We figure if you’re reading this, then you’re probably one of the many bulging-suitcase offenders and eager to know our secret. Easter mini-breaks are to over-packers what the smell of fresh Krispy-Kreme doughnuts are to a room full of Weight Watchers. What it comes down to, is that in April, no one can ever be sure of the weather – hence the reason women invented “I need to have options, so I’m taking it all”.

Here at Dicha we don’t need excuses. Like the lady below, we only need our jewellery – and that’s all we’re taking. Pack ‘em up.

The Age of the Overstatement: Print is back

2011-04-26T21:31:00.000+01:00

A simple white tee with blue jeans? The classic Little Black Dress? Yawn…

Fashion houses are going overboard with print this season and tribal is back! Forget what you’ve learned – less in no longer more, so don’t be afraid to mix and match. We say “go big or go home”. Printed bags, shoes, dresses, bikinis, we’ll have one of each please. However, if you’re not entirely convinced by the head-to-toe pattern look, then take our advice and stick to one or two prints per outfit.

Don’t forget: to avoid looking too casual, for an evening look we suggest dressing it up with some sparkle. Even Vogue agrees.

Costume Jewellery and the Art of Faux-Bling

2011-04-26T21:06:00.000+01:00

In an attempt to brighten up your January, we thought we’d bring a little faux-bling into your lives. Dita Von Teese got it right when she said, “I’d rather have something big and fake, than small and real”.

In the Fifties, women began to look to stars of the big screen for inspiration, and heirlooms they could replicate affordably. It is a strange yet charming fact that actresses like Vivien Leigh, Jane Russell, and Elizabeth Taylor appeared in adverts for copies of their pieces available at none other than Woolworths – possibly much classier in its day?

This trend should definitely be re-introduced, although jewels of the modern silver screen never seem to be as lustrous or as plentiful as they were back then.

Hope these stars help to add a little lustre to your January.

Christmas in Egypt

2011-04-26T21:00:00.000+01:00

Co-founder of Dicha is living the jet-set dream as she travels to Egypt this Christmas. Jealous? Wait until you hear her destination: the aptly named Sharm El Sheikh, home to several bloodthirsty reef tip sharks and scores of terrified sun worshippers.

However, even the most unlikely situation can kick start creative imaginings in the duo, and after a brief discussion it was decided that shark teeth jewellery may be the way forward

Check out this great white shark tooth, which pales in comparison to the huge megaladon specimen beside it. The owner of said tooth is extinct, thank God.

Apparently a popular pastime in Venice, Florida is diving for prehistoric shark teeth. Hmm… maybe we’ll leave that for the more adventurous jewellers of the world!

We Have Some Exciting News…!

2011-04-26T20:57:00.000+01:00

First and foremost, we are extremely excited to announce that the Dicha website has officially gone transactional. This means that you can peruse all of our jewellery from the comfort of your own couch!

If you’d rather see our pieces in person, you can call us at our showroom on 020 7402 5884. We are also proud to announce that we are now stocked in Matches at their Notting Hill store, 83 Ledbury Road W11 2AG and also online at www.matchesfashion.com. Alternatively you can visit one of our other stockists, Liberty, D&Me and www.net-a-porter.com.

Finally we would like to introduce you to our latest range, Recollections which are repeatable vintage inspired pieces at a lower price point but without compromising on style and beauty. These too are handmade and include semi-precious stones. We can’t wait to hear what you think…

All of this good news will explain the smiles on our faces below…

SS11 Jewellery Treasures Captured By Tommy Ton

2011-04-26T20:48:00.000+01:00

As Fashion Month drew to a close, here in the Dicha offices we tucked in to Tommy Ton’s Style.com images to pick our favourite jewellery moments of the season. There were a lot to chose from but below is our short list! To see the rest of Tommy’s highlights, click here.

Dicha Need Interns!

2011-04-26T20:45:00.000+01:00

Do you fancy yourself a bit of a jewellery fanatic? Are you obsessed with all things vintage? If that’s the case then interning at Dicha will be right up your street.

Interns should be self-starters, extremely organized, open to responsibility and wont mind doing menial tasks such as going to the post office. Candidates should be interested in jewellery and/or have Artistic Ability, Color Sense, Crafty, Experimental & Creative Vision, Great sense of Style!

Sounds like something you may be interested in? Please forward your resume with a bit about yourself and why you would be great for the position to info@dicha.co.uk

Below are some recent images of what we’ve been up to. For those of you who are simply window shopping and like what you see, please click here. Or if you live in London, Dicha are having a private sale from 9am to 6pm at Soler Boutique, 88 Bevington Road, London W10 5TW.

Fashion Week Is Here!

2011-04-26T20:44:00.000+01:00

…And we are extremely excited to see what jewellery designers have used to accessorize their looks! Wishing we could have a little rummage…

Dicha Jewellery Icon: Elizabeth Taylor

2011-04-26T14:27:00.000+01:00

Everyone has a personal Fashion Icon so its only right for us to have a Jewellery Icon. To be honest, in this world there really is only one and that has to be Elizabeth Taylor.

Here are some of our favourite Taylor/Jewellery quotes:

“I adore wearing gems, but not because they are mine. You can’t possess radiance, you can only admire it.”

“My mother says I didn’t open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked.”

“Big girls need big diamonds.”

One things for certain, we would pay big bucks to have a peek in her archive!

Jewellery Underdog: The Brooch

2011-04-26T14:19:00.000+01:00

Some may say that the brooch is a little outdated but here in Dicha Headquarters we love em’. You see the problem isn’t that they are outdated, it’s that many women from this generation are unsure how to confidently wear them. Below is a compilation of images that should act as guideline for how brooches are worn best.

Like Sea Of Shoes’ Jane strategically pile them on to a simple jacket

CZ Guest shows us how to keep it classy and simply

US Elle amps up a trench by drenching it with brooches! Not for the faint-hearted but looks fab..

No-one can accessorize like Sarah-Jessica Parker…

And finally, make like Marni by embellishing a fabulous necklaces

Don’t forget to check out our fabulous jewellery HERE

A Jewellery Collection To Die For: Anna Della Russo

2011-04-26T14:14:00.000+01:00

all images via Anna Della Russo and Jak & Jil

Anna Della Russo, once described by Helmut Newton as a “fashion maniac”, has one of the best collections of jewellery our Dicha eyes have ever seen! We have been mesmerized by these images for approximately 45 minutes and can’t tear our eyes away from the computer!

Here’s hoping we get Anna into a piece of Dicha soon! We just know she would love some of our layered necklaces…

Dicha Does The City Of Neon And Chrome

2011-04-26T14:07:00.000+01:00

Sorry we have been a little bit absent! It’s all been fabulously hectic over here in Dicha land.. we even managed to squeeze in a trip to one of our favourite cities, Manhattan.

After a few days of pining for inspiration (of which we found A LOT, but more to come on that later) we decided that perhaps the new method we should undertake for selling our jewels should be in line with the following:

You see, as technology improves and designers start to think of ridiculously advanced ways to sell their goods, sometimes here in the Dicha offices we believe simple is best! Maybe just having a stall in Portabello is the way forward?! Let us know your thoughts….

In the meantime, NY isn’t the same without the glorious food..

Here is Tom and Nancy from our favourite cupcake shop – Baby Cakes! Located on 248 Broome Street if you fancy a sweet treat…

Of course it didn’t stop there and the forces within were incapable of preventing us from stopping at this gorgeous ice-cream truck..

Ok, so I know that so far all it looks like is that we ate and ate but we did see some cool street art….Until next time….

Where to Hide Your Gems:

2011-04-26T14:05:00.001+01:00

Sick of unsightly and unnecessarily large security safes? Just cut out the pages of a book (preferably one you don’t want to read) and delicately hide your jewellery straight in the middle. Surely it would be burglar-proof, no?

Blogger Love: Aureta Thomollari

2011-04-26T14:00:00.000+01:00

In a sea of leather jackets, ripped denim, studded.. everything and over exposed hipster-cool bloggers, Aureta is a breath of fresh air.

We have fallen in love with her for a few reasons:

She has the most incredible taste in jewellery! Both vintage and brand new, Aureta fully understands the power of a great accessory.
She is brave and creative without looking as though she is trying too hard…and we are undoubtedly envious of her primarily designer wardrobe.
She owns a Chanel 2.55 white bag that is signed by Uncle Karl Lagerfeld himself.
Usually more of a reason to dislike rather then like, Aureta seems to be on a permanent vacation however they bring such fabulous outfits we can’t help but LOVE her.
We want to get her in to a piece of Dicha asap!

Aureta – if you see this please check out some of our pieces and give us some feedback! We would love for you to wear some Dicha! Preferably one of the below…

From left to right: ‘Esmeralda‘ 50′s embellished pearl bracelet, ‘Jeannie‘ coral ball and crystal earrings and ‘Chanti‘ 50′s evil eye ring

An Image That Needs No Words:

2011-04-26T13:57:00.000+01:00

Photographed by Annie Leibovitz for American Vogue 1999 – image via layersandswathes

Live Your Brand

2011-04-26T13:51:00.000+01:00

all images via Desire To Inspire

If there is one mantra that us Dicha girls hold true to our hearts, it is that every facet of our lives should represent our brand and the message we are trying to convey. One look around our showroom and your senses are immediately inundated with feminine, contemporary and unexpected pieces. Unexpected because we love to experiment with colours, beads and vintage jewellery details that do not traditionally go together. The same can be seen from the space that we inhabit to the food that we cook.

Here are some images of unexpected interior details that make us giddy with excitement and wild with inspiration.

Dicha Loves Givenchy Couture

2011-04-26T13:42:00.000+01:00

image via Bryan Boy

We can’t stop fawning over this collection! In a fantasy world we have decided that we would wear this to a Great Gatsby-style party in the English Countryside complete with champagne cocktailsand perhaps a pair of our ‘Bonnie’ earrings shown below… Where would you wear this dress?

to shop the rest of the earring collection click here

Don’t Cry!

2011-04-26T13:10:00.000+01:00

When you have a set of beautiful pearls such as the below casually resting on your head, crying shouldn’t be an option. Now suck it up and smile for the camera!

An Important Lesson To Learn: Layering Jewellery

2011-04-26T12:48:00.000+01:00

Here at Dicha’s offices we encourage the layering of jewellery. However, there is an important lesson to be learned when it comes to mastering the art of how to do so which is where ‘the professionals’ come in..

Lesson 1: Don’t get too excited. You know that old saying “Always take one thing off before leaving the house”? Well, it was set to prevent disasters such as the below from happening:
Lesson 2: Use a clean palette as your base. Take a note from Blake Lively and find a great colour in a simple shape to act as your backdrop for your jewellery. You wouldn’t hang an intricate and detailed painting on a heavily wall-papered wall so the same should be for how you decide to wear things!

Lesson 3: Be Fearless! Don’t be afraid to mix and match different colours and different metals. Pile it on (with careful thought) and have fun with it! Some of our favourite pieces from the collection are the ones where we put the most unexpected beads and layers together. At the end of the day, jewellery is for life but more importantly, its to make you feel great so have fun with it!

Browse the rest of the collection here

Hi, we love jewellery.

2011-04-26T12:24:00.001+01:00

It’s always hard to start anything from scratch and stare at a blank canvas so we are simply going to jump in feet first into the blogging world. And so it begins, here is one of our all time favourite jewellery-related quotes by 1950s American figure skater and actress Sonja Henie;

“Jewelry takes people’s minds off your wrinkles.”

Ah, yes. In case you are wondering who we are and what it is that we are doing by taking up your precious time (hopefully), let us introduce ourselves. We are one part Diane and one part Chantal and together we are literally obsessed with jewellery, consumed by ingenious design and have enough inspiration to fuel our fabulous label Dicha as well as this blog and your minds.
So with our heartfelt pleasure, we would like to say a big welcome and thank you for choosing to read Dicha’s blog!
Sonja Henie would like to welcome you in to the club too…

How fearless must she have been skating with all that expensive jewellery?! If that were up to us, the earrings and bracelets would have been flung in to the laps of an audience member in a matter of moments!