INDEX shopfront promotion
Gem A Bespoke
Situated in the heart of Whitstable, the vibrant purple shopfront of the new iS 2 Gallery is hard to miss. Inside, its modern layout showcases an exciting range of work by contemporary jewellers and artists that have been attracting lovers of original, high-quality jewellery and art since opening its doors this March. Mandy Temple talks to owner and designer Rob Morris about his inspirations.
collections of his own jewellery alongside a large and expanding selection of work by award-winning jewellers and artists. Looking around the gallery, what strikes you is how
T
he iS 2 Gallery is the brainchild of jeweller Rob Morris. It features several
different the selection is compared to what is found in a normal high-street jewellers. Big brands are not what the iS 2 Gallery is about. “We only work with designers who make their own pieces,” explains Michaela, Rob’s partner. “What’s great about the gallery is that our clients are not buying a brand, they’re buying wearable, original
works of art.” According
to Rob: “We concentrate on high-quality, original designs; you couldn’t mistake the work of the designers we’ve chosen for anyone else’s.” Michaela adds “People really enjoy coming
to look around the gallery, seeing the jewellery as works of art in their own right.”
Given the focus on
handmade, original designs you might expect the gallery’s prices to be high. Not so, says Rob: “We offer very good work by top designers but we’re not pretentious and we aim not to exclude anyone.” Rob’s jewellery, for example, ranges from £40 to £2,000.
The gallery is a labour of love for Rob and Michaela: “We feel privileged to help people with pieces for special occasions and love to be involved in important events in our clients’ lives,” says Rob when asked how opening the gallery has impacted on his work. For jewellery fans it’s a
rare treat to be able to talk to a jeweller and discuss their designs so the fact that Rob works on site and is very happy to talk about his work is in itself worth a trip to the gallery. “I
draw inspiration from many forms, nature being my biggest influence,” says Rob. “My iS range is the most philosophical with much of the pieces being unisex. I believe it has to be comfortable and durable as well as attractive so I pay a lot of attention to practicality as well as the aesthetic.”
In addition to their ‘ready to wear’ jewellery, the gallery also provides a bespoke service, which offers you the chance to commission Rob to create your own, one-off piece of jewellery that you’ll cherish for life. Now is the perfect time to visit the gallery with five new designers exhibiting for the first time over the festive season, new designs made by Rob himself, especially for Christmas, and the fact that it’s the ideal place to find a genuinely original gift this Christmas whether you’re interested in jewellery, glass art or sculpture.
iS 2 Gallery, 1 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, CT5 1AF 01227 272358
www.robmorrisjewellerydesign.com
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