Theo Fennell
Born
Alister Theodore Fennell

(1951-08-08) August 8, 1951
Egypt
NationalityBritish
EducationEton
Byam Shaw School of Art
Occupation(s)Jewellery and silverware designer
SpouseLouise MacGregor
Children2, including Emerald Fennell
Websitewww.theofennell.com

Alister Theodore Fennell (born 8 August 1951)[1] is a British jewellery and silverware designer. He is often called the "King of Bling" for his flamboyant designs for celebrity clientele.[1][2] In 1982, he founded Theo Fennell, his eponymous jewellery business.[3] In 2009, he returned to the helm after leaving the company for 18 months.[3] He regained control of the company in 2021.[4][5]

Early life and education

Fennell was born in 1951 in Egypt.[2] He was educated at Eton,[6] and then York College of Art, followed by the Byam Shaw School of Art, now part of the University of the Arts London.[7]

Career

After art school, Fennell's first job was as an apprentice and designer at Edward Barnard, a long-established silversmiths in Hatton Garden.[8][2] Following his apprenticeship, he formed his first jewellery business in 1974.[9] In 1982, he opened his first Theo Fennell store at 177 Fulham Road in Chelsea, a location he chose to be closer to his clients.[9] In 1997, he moved his flagship store into the building he helped design at 169 Fulham Road, which became iconic.[9]

Theo Fennell on Fulham Road in 2006

In 2007, Fennell held an exhibition, Show Off!, at London's Royal Academy of Art,[9] consisting of an array of installations, dioramas, paintings, presentations and sculptures, each showcasing a piece of Fennell's jewellery.[10]

In 2008, Fennell founded The Original Design Partnership, a design consultancy, specialising in jewellery, silver, and curios while also working in other design fields, and mentoring young British designers.[11]

By 2011, Fennell had expanded from jewellery into items such as silver photo frames, cocktail shakers and jugs, with more products in design.[12] In 2011, bespoke items, including the Secret Garden ring with yellow gold, paraiba tourmaline, diamond and enamel were listed at £40,000 or more.[12]

Theo Fennell building in Chelsea Barracks, London

In May 2022, Fennell announced that after 25 years, he was to move from 169 Fulham Road to Chelsea Barracks, as the rent had become "ludicrous".[5]

Customers have included Elton John, Joan Collins, Elizabeth Hurley, Madonna, and Lady Gaga.[13]

Honours

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths (IPG)[14][15] and an ambassador for The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council.[16] He is a liveryman of the Goldsmiths Company, and an honorary fellow of the University of the Arts London.[17]

Publications

In 2022, his memoir, I Fear for This Boy: Some Chapters of Accidents, was published.[2]

Personal life

He lives in London with his wife, Louise (née MacGregor), an author.[6][2] They have two daughters, Emerald, a writer, actor and director, and Coco, a fashion designer.[6][2]

References

  1. 1 2 Mathiason, Nick (24 December 2006). "The king of celebrity bling". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hogan, Michael (10 April 2022). "Jeweller Theo Fennell: 'Being called the king of bling is better than the prince of darkness'". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  3. 1 2 Leroux, Marcus (1 December 2012). "Private equity gets extra time to ponder the beauty of Theo Fennell". The Times. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  4. ↑ Zhang, Tianwei (23 November 2021). "Britain's Theo Fennell Wants to Keep His Brand Small, and Beautiful: After taking back control of his brand, Fennell has been focusing on bespoke pieces for private clients and nurturing a future generation of British jewelers". WWD: Women’s Wear Daily. p. 66. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  5. 1 2 Prynn, Jonathan (9 May 2022). "'King of Bling' Theo Fennell forced out of Fulham Road flagship". Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 "The king of bling: Theo Fennell on the lunacy of the Noughties". Evening Standard. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  7. ↑ Peacock, Eric (July 2018). "Theo Fennell: 'There are no shortcuts'". Luxury Briefing. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  8. ↑ "Market profile". The Telegraph. 26 December 2005. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Theo Fennell: A Jeweller With A Passion For Rarity & Beauty". Country & Town House. January 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "Video news and features". British Vogue.
  11. ↑ "The Original Design Partnership". Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  12. 1 2 Chesters, Laura (16 December 2011). "Spotlight On... Celebrity jeweller, Theo Fennell". The Independent. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  13. ↑ Kim, Leena (17 June 2022). "This Is Theo Fennell's Year". Town & Country. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "The Goldsmiths' Craft & Design Council Awards 2021" (PDF). Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "Find a Craftsman". Institute of Professional Goldsmiths. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  16. ↑ "Ambassadors". Craft and Design Council. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  17. ↑ "Getting to Know: Theo Fennell". Roseberys London. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
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