Sweetlime: bringing the “Carnaval” to your wardrobe

The summer will soon be on us and with the weather we’ve been having we seriously need to brighten up our wardrobes.

When Elspeth J Walker first arrived in India almost 20 years ago to source local materials, she was introduced to the drink “Sweetlime”- a chilled soda water with freshly squeezed locally grown sweet limes. “It was totally refreshing after a long flight and left a lasting impression,” she explains. So much so, that she has launched her new company and called it Sweetlime, which in her words, “Brings together a lifelong passion for wanderlust and adornment.”

After graduating from Edinburgh College of Art, where she specialised in jewellery design, her driving ambition led her to New York, where she quickly landed a job in the centre of Manhattan’s fashion and jewellery district. Following seven years of invaluable experience working with world-class designers, Elspeth decided to move to London and start her own jewellery business, creating collections that delivered something fresh and original. Renting a small studio in Highgate, North London, she began by assembling samples of her work and then targeted jewellery buyers at big stores as well as small boutiques.

Drawing inspiration from her extensive travels within Europe, India and South East Asia, Elspeth has produced exciting collections of Sweetlime jewellery from her worldwide treasure hunts, which include a combination of local pieces, specially created pieces and unique, one-off pieces. Elspeth explains: “Each unique design, lovingly made by hand, tells its own story. We seek and find materials and designs that are out of-the-ordinary and combine flair and beauty to create one-off pieces.”

Her latest collection is called Carnaval – a powerful collection boasting an overdose of colour, cobalt blues, piercing pinks, zesty yellows, quintessential turquoise and hints of neon. Drawing inspiration from Mexico and South America, with unexpected accents of the East, this collection blends vibrant materials and textures encapsulating the bright traditions of the Latino people.

Frida Kahlo, a Mexican painter most famous for her self-portraits, is the muse for the collection. Miniature paintings of her and her work are framed as pendants, her striking features and powerful images combine effortlessly with bold beadwork in statement necklaces. Multi-coloured tassels, pom poms and agate pendants of all shapes and sizes are mixed with feathers to create fun, lively pieces which encompass the spirit of the Americas. Jewelled pendants, woven friendship bracelets and tropical flowers are linked and tied together in new and interesting combinations.

“Carnaval is a powerful collection boasting an overdose of colour. It draws inspiration from Mexico and South America, with unexpected accents of the East, this collection blends vibrant materials and textures encapsulating the bright traditions of the Latino people.”

Jenny Rodgers

Now is the time to bring some sunshine into your wardrobe and with Sweetlime you will definitely do just that.