I am extremely excited to announce that a selection of my collections and one off pieces will now be stocked and show cased in Garrards.

The synergy, style and history of Garrards sit perfectly with my pieces.

As anyone whom is familiar with my jewellery and views on British brands and British manufacturing will know having David Marshall London placed in their store in London fits perfectly with my company ethos. Buying one of my pieces can be done with the confidence it is made in our workshop in London by our master jewelers, combining skills that have been used for centuries along with new state of the art technologies.

Garrard was launched in London in 1735 and, as a result of its superlative quality and craftsmanship, has enjoyed royal patronage from its start. Garrard served as Crown Jeweller for over 150 years.

Garrard & Co (formerly Asprey & Garrard) was founded by George Wickes in London in 1735. Wickes set up business in Threadneedle Street in the City of London in 1722; the company moved to Panton Street off Haymarket in central London in 1735 as a goldsmith and provider of jewellery and other luxury items to aristocratic patrons. Wickes was an accomplished silversmith known for his work in the rococo style, and gained the patronage of Frederick, Prince of Wales. Two apprentices of Wickes, John Parker and Edward Wakelin, purchased the company following Wickes’ retirement in 1760, replaced by John Wakelin and William Taylor in 1776. Following the death of William Taylor, Robert Garrard became a partner in the company in 1792. Garrard took sole control of the firm in 1802, with his sons Robert Garrard II, James and Sebastian succeeding him in running the company, trading as R., J., & S. Garrard (or Robert Garrard & Brothers) until James’ retirement in 1835, when the company became R & S Garrard. The company remained in the hands of the Garrard family until the death of Sebastian Henry Garrard, great-grandson of Robert Garrard senior, in 1946. In 1843, Queen Victoria appointed Garrard to the position of Crown Jewellers, leading to the production of numerous pieces of silverware and jewellery for the Royal Family, as well as the upkeep of the Crown Jewels.

More recently, Garrard has been noted as being the maker of the sapphire engagement ring given by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge to his wife Catherine, the ring once belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales.

I look forward to a very long and happy association with Garrards and hope you will go to their store and “check us out”

David

www.garrard.com

It was action stations early Friday morning as photographers, make up artist, hairdresser and model all met at Cobham Hall in Kent for a full day shooting our new life style images and jewellery shots for our website, new brochures and new advertising campaign.

Cobham Hall is a leading international boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18, and is located in a historic country estate in Kent. A great Elizabethan house, with seventeenth and eighteenth century additions the area east of the house has a small temple and a pumphouse designed by Humphrey Repton which is where we chose to photograph our Legacy Collection. The model was wearing country chic style clothes supplied by an amazing company called Moloh. As you will see when we post the pictures soon the traditional style clothes which have a timeless but contemporary design where the perfect compliment for the “Legacy” which was inspired when both my children joined the family business this year and uses my company logo as the main component in the design.

Just as the rain started we went inside to shoot the bridal shots with the model wearing a romantic and whimsical dress which was complimented by flowers which where supplied by Chic Events who this year are shortisted finalists in The Kent Wedding Awards in the florist of the year category.  With this look we chose pieces from our new “butterfly flutterby” collection.  The butterfly is the perfect subject for a delicate and pretty piece of jewellery but manages to make an impact at the same time and I am confident the butterfly creations will appeal to your sense of romance.

Finally onto the evening gown shot taken on one of the grand staircases in the hall. For this we chose a simple gown, which left all the talking to our platinum and diamond chandelier earrings, deco pendants, deco bangle and an amazing ring from my selection of important one off pieces.

So there we are a successful day and watch this space to see the stunning images, which I will post soon.

David

Finishing Touches

www.cobhamhall.com

www.moloh.com

Chic Events—www.cherrytrees.co.uk

Allow me to introduce you to Bertie and Angus, two korthal Griffon pointers.
A silver wedding anniversary gift from my wife.

We have just returned from an amazing trip to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary. First stop was Paris where we went to the launch party for Faberge. We where invited because I had been commissioned to make an egg for them. Next stop was a night in Puligny-Montrachet and then onto Monaco where we stayed at the Metropole hotel.

On the Friday night we went to see Janet Jackson at the Le Sporting Monte Carlo, this is a great, venue very civilized with a four course dinner and a roof that folds back so you watch the concert in the open air. Then onto St Tropez where we stayed at the Le Yacca.

If any of you are going to St Tropez I highly recommend this hotel its very chic and very relaxed just the way I like it! On our actual anniversary our family and friends had flown in to celebrate the day with us. We had a table for 20 people at Le Club 55 one of my favorite places. It was a fantastic afternoon and it was wonderful to have my family with us. Then home stopping off in the stunning village of Beaune another of my recommendations.
Definitely a trip to remember.

I am now back from my Ski trip to Switzerland and where I welcomed in 2011 with my family and friends. I would like to wish you all a happy new year and I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Christmas. I hope Santa brought you what you where wishing for. I definitely know of some lucky people who woke up to a David Marshall London bag under their Christmas tree. It was a real pleasure to help my son’s best friend Nic choose his wonderful three stone diamond engagement ring, which he presented to his new fiancé on Christmas morning and of course she said yes! It was on Christmas morning when I proposed to my wife 25 years ago. The proposal will be one of the most significant moments in both your lives, so make it a day she will remember and treasure. Please do your homework as well as you did for your diamond purchase guys!

Morning cloud over Mayen de Riddes Switzerland

I have definitely noticed that demand for statement jewellery is on the up. I say hurrah for that, lets make 2011 the year of sparkle.
As far as jewellery is concerned over the last couple of years a lot of girl’s have been playing things down with no more than a simple ring and pendant, although recently you only have to take a quick look around bars, nightclubs and top restaurants and you will now see that the ‘less is more’ approach is well and truly being shelved.

Finally fantastic news about the royal engagement. After the last few years of financial uncertainty and eternal doom and gloom I feel the wedding will lift the spirits of us all and give Great Britain a chance to show the world what we do best. I have heard split opinions on whether Kate should wear Diana’s ring or whether she should have had one of her own. What ever your opinion there is no denying that it was a gesture straight from the heart.

Material World
Verbier