Muse/ Tada & Toy

At Preen Line we’re always on the lookout for our next muse, constantly scouring London’s freshest new talent to collaborate with. From DJ and model Zara Martin to Paul Raymond’s granddaughter India Rose James, we love seeing our Muses in the latest Preen Line collections.

And this month is no exception - when we stumbled across ace emerging jewellery designers Tada & Toy we instantly snapped them up for a shoot - not least of all because their intricately designed creations are the perfect accessories to our Pre-fall 17 collection.

After a great day’s shoot we sat down with their young founders, Tansy Aspinall and Victoria Van Holthe, to talk jewellery, style and how we all shape our identity with how we dress…

Hi ladies. Tell us a bit about what the summer has in store for you.
 
Tansy: At the moment we are focused on preparing for Christmas which is a little mad in July! We are also preparing our new collection ‘Earth Runner’ for presentation at LFW in September.
 
Tor: It’s all work work work at the moment getting ready for Christmas! I love the whole process of shooting a new collection, we had a really great team and our new face of the brand is so beautiful. I can’t wait to release the images. We also have a small starry themed Christmas collection coming out soon which will be a great addition to our collection.

 
What are the best, hardest and coolest parts of your job?
 
Tansy: Best – being our own boss, Hardest – the uncertainty, Coolest – unlimited beautiful jewellery.
 
Tor: Best – working with my best friend. Hardest – never being able to switch off after a day’s work. Coolest – being constantly decked out in Tada & Toy Jewellery. 

How has your background and where you've grown up shaped your style?
 
Tansy: I grew up in London and have always loved the eclectic urban mix that the city exudes.
 
Tor: My mum is Swedish and her and my grandmother’s original, clean Scandinavian style has always been the biggest influence when it comes to my own taste and design aesthetic.

What do you love about making jewellery?
 
Tansy: I love how personal jewellery is. I think it’s to do with how close to your skin it is and that most people like to wear it all of the time. It makes jewellery a really personal choice and endorsement for the brand when people wear it.
 
Tor: I love the detail it adds to any outfit and how it makes you feel when you wear it. I love the interesting places you can wear it, and how it can be constantly reinvented.
 
Why is jewellery important to someone's personal style and sense of identity?
 
Tansy: I think jewellery can reflect moods and memories, which makes it really special. It’s a way for people to adorn and style themselves in a more permanent way than clothing.
 
Tor: I think that, unlike clothes, jewellery is more timeless and can be worn throughout seasons. The longer you own a piece of jewellery, the more memories it holds. You can build a collection rather than swapping pieces out for newer designs.

 
What's your favourite item from the Preen Line shoot, and why?
 
Tansy: I love the pom pom detailing on the skirt that I wore, it has a serious swish quality that was really fun to wear.
 
Tor: I loved the black and white checked dress I wore, it was so comfortable (like the whole collection) and made me feel very elegant.

What three words would you use to describe your personal style?
 
Tansy: Bohemian, pirate, minimal.
 
Tor: Scandinavian, monochrome, classic.

What person has had the greatest influence on your personal style and why?
 
Tansy: My mother, because in the end she’s always right.
 
Tor: Ditto and my grandmother who I guess in turn influenced both me and my mother! She was always impeccably dressed and exuded elegance all the time.

 
If you could swap wardrobes with someone for a day, who would it be?
 
Tansy: Candice Swanepoel because she always looks like a mermaid on a beautiful, remote beach.
 
Tor: Olivia Palermo or Bella Hadid.

 
What was the last item of clothing you lent to a friend, who was it and why?
 
Tansy: Both of my sisters are constantly borrowing my clothes, sadly I have to say yes because I also like to pinch from their wardrobes!
 
Tor: My sister (We live together!)
 
What's the most important piece of style advice you've been given?
 
Tansy: Less can be more
 
Tor: Always wear clothes that make you feel good

Check out Tansy and Tor's amazing brand at http://www.tadaandtoy.com/ and on Instagram @tadaandtoy

You can follow the lovely Tabi on Twitter & Instagram @tabijgee
Photography by the amazing @zoelower