THE FLAPPER COLLECTION

With the release of Libertalia’s latest collection, I think that we should talk about what inspired us to create such a line of jewellery! This blog is all about the inspiration and how it all came together.

June 2019

One of the perks of being a performer is the privilege to pass through the ages without using a time machine. Last year I formed part of an outstanding team of performers along side The New Victorians to create ‘Sette’ by Teatru Malta. The 2019 hit show was the 100 year anniversary from the actual Sette Giunio riots that took place in 1919, where the Maltese revolted against corruption. Therefore when researching, you get to see all kinds of beautiful outfits worn back in the day, alongside outstanding pieces of jewellery. That was the first spark, that led to this collection.

December 2019

Fast forwarding to December…I was introduced to ‘Peaky Blinders’ a BBC show that takes place in the post war period! Now…this is something that I have always done, but…every time I watch a series, and fall in love with it, not only do I binge it, but I imitate it. That meant that I was buying vests, peaky caps, started growing my Solomon beard, experimented with fine whiskey, and started from carrying a pocket watch. But this series, apart from having a beautiful script also has some pretty amazing costumes and jewels. So I was already in love with the portrayal of the period in the show, but then Season 3 came along, and they introduced ‘The Cursed Sapphire’ which was this beautiful grand faceted Sapphire, and that ladies and gentlemen is how I wanted to create something new, something 1920s inspired with a modern twist.

January 2020

And thus, along with the new year, came a new collection. *drum roll* THE FLAPPER COLLECTION! I started thinking of designs, researching the gems used during that era, what made the Art Deco period what it was. Now research took about a week of watching documentaries, reading articles and more Peaky Blinders binging. But I finally had a clearer view into the period. So, what came next was the tricky bit. I needed to create something that was inspired, but that would be relevant today, therefore a sort of contemporary take on the period all the while staying true to Libertalia’s Pirate theme. I set out to buy pearls, pendants, silver wire and mother of pearls to create this 26 piece collection. After around 48 hours of beading, I had the first 10 pendants, which then kept on increasing and increasing.

The collection had its last pendant crafted on the 28th of February (the Captains Birthday), just 2 days before the ambitious photoshoot.

The Flapper Shoot

With such a collection, coming from a wee little Pirate inspired Jewellery company, it felt like my photography skills wouldn't really do this collection justice. So,

I thought…why not create something big, like a photoshoot, at a vintage location, with models??? Little did I know, this will take a lot of time and effort to put together. What does one need to put up a photoshoot? Well…models, venue, photographer, a good team of artists and of course food! First I needed to find people who were willing to wear my Gems, I was lucky enough to have some amazing models such as Fashion Week regulars Madeleine Baldacchino and Kristina Critien. Then we had a local TV star and entrepreneurFrancesca Scerri. Also joining us we had, the versatile X Factor contestant and artist Ludivine Otoole. And last but not least, a local upcoming chef and the Captains backbone Noelene Vella! Then I needed a photographer, now, Malta has a big community of photographers, but only one talented man would be able to fully understand what the Captain had in mind, and that was Dylan Odom, his skills managed to bring out every detail in the pieces.

Now, how could I emphasise the beauty of these models? Well, thats when the super ladies came in; The Fantastic Faith Pace our amazing Make Up artist and The Extravagant Elena Cassar who not only lent us her Hair Styling skills but also her Head and Jam salon to do make up and hair! Being Maltese means that we like to snack, the sun gets to us, but how do we feed a whole team of artists? Only one caterer would be up for the task, so the Nutritious Noelene Vella made us some healthy snacks fresh from her Kuccarina Menu! Joining this team of helpful people we also got some help from a close friend of ours, Kristina Cini!

After managing to get all this secure we decided to try something cheeky…what if someone could sponsor dresses? And holy moly…we got Miss Selfridge to sponsor 5 beautiful outfits for the shoot!

The team was ready, we had models, a photographer, a hair and make up artist, a caterer and dresses…but, are we missing something? A VENUE!!! This was the though one, we have some lovely Vintage themed locations in Malta, so we started scouting different locations, from St Julians to Valletta to Birgu…but only had one venue inspired us in such a way, a venue with different settings on one place and that was The Thirsty Lawyer in Valletta.

A Dream come true

The day of the shoot came, and we couldn’t have planned it any better, it went pretty smooth, and the team got along so well. The models looked fabulous, the team was as helpful as ever, the venue was a dream come true and the photos…oh the photos…they’re just marvellous. The whole production was truly amazing. We enjoyed every second,

however exhausting it was! We would like to thank all our sponsors, the whole team, the venue, my parents who served as opinions when putting these pieces together…and EVERYONE from our followers to our regular customers who always support Libertalia. All of you helped the Captain turn this small idea, into a big project.

Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, put on your flashy dresses, pour a glass of whiskey and get ready for The Flapper Collection!!! A unique one of a kind Art Deco inspired collection with a contemporary twist created by The Pirate of Libertalia comes out on Friday 24th April!

#roaring20's #flappercollection #gemstones