Mappin and Webb are celebrating 240 years of service this year. Founded back in 1775 the English silverware company has become a staple in the hearts of the patriots of England and around the World. From Silverware to Diamonds, Mappin and Webb have an extensive history of showcasing its well-crafted creations. Providing the Titanic and QE2 with silverware to diamonds fit for the Queen and her mother.
The company’s longstanding royal connection was further cemented by the appointment of Mappin & Webb’s master craftsman, to the position of Crown Jeweller in 2012. having worked within the London workshop for 20 years, this craftsman is now custodian of the Crown jewels: a fitting appointment and a great honour for Mappin & Webb.
Brand Director Elizabeth Galton is reinventing Mappin & Webb’s heritage in new and unexpected ways by reinterpreting historic motifs from the company’s archives and making them relevant to a modern audience through contemporary designs.
Elizabeth Galton joined the Mappin and Webb family as Creative Director of jewellery and gift 2 years ago, and is also part of the board of Aurum Holdings Ltd, the largest prestige and luxury jewellers in the UK. Studying at Central Saint Martin as well as The Royal College or Art, Elizabeth helped to rejuvenate the Links or London brand and also established her own business and was the entrepreneur of EG Studio.
Last week I got the pleasure of sitting down with Elizabeth at the Mappin and Webb store in Manchester. Over coffee and orange juice we discussed the history of the iconic silverware and jewellery company.
How does one get in to the jewellery business?
I trained at Saint Martin, I did a degree in jewellery design there then did a Masters at the Royal College of Art in jewellery silversmithing and goldsmithing. Working for a wide spectrum of brands one being Links of London, consulting for Swarovski, working for a lot of different brands on Bond St. and at the other end of the spectrum QVC, a real mix.
What continues to inspire you?
Well it always tend to be rooted from our archives, we have a rich history here at Mappin and Webb. Over 200 catalogues of designed jewelley, photographs that date back to the 1700s.
What should every girl have in her jewelley box?
Pearls. I always think of pearls as the little black dress of the jewellery world. I think with pearls you can dress them up or dress them down. For some of our younger customers that maybe can’t afford to buy into diamonds yet, pearls, like our opera length string of pearls you can sling on with denim or leather leggings.
One of my favourite part was viewing the engagement collection; each ring is named after the English rose, Elizabeth Galton gained loads or inspiration delving through Mappin & Webb’s historic archives and found plenty of material from which her creations ‘stem’ from. The Amelia, the Alba, and the Cecilia – each of the rings embodies a different style and character, which aids helpless husbands personify their future wives to be.
By: Chanel Anderson
