Articles
ELLIOT JAMES CASA - A perspective on the world from the armchair of Elliot James. Feb 2012
Whilst at the \'Home\' exhibition at London\'s Earls Court last week, I saw a number of gorgeous stands with some really lovely ideas and beautiful pieces but one stand stood out more than the rest.
Launched at Home\'s partnering event \'Top Drawer\' in 2010, Chia Maria offers a core range of British designed, luxurious accessories for the home, desk and travel using fine linens, tweed and pinstripe fabrics.
Chia Maria was created by Lucia Poels, a very talented designer who is no stranger in the world of high-end, luxury goods, working with prestigious names such as Anne Charlton, Andrew Martin and Tusk Developments.
Chia Maria currently has five themes in their collection. These are: contemporary, monogrammed, City pinstripes, Country Tweed and a range of Chia Maria luxury scented candles.
It has been said that Elliot James has, on occasions, a relatively masculine style. I would have to agree to a point. I am very fond of oxblood leather chesterfields, dark woods, velvets, etc... I love references to traditional, gentlemen\'s tailoring - be it a bowler hat, a pair of brogue lace ups or simply an umbrella stand or clothes valet. Somewhere a gentleman can ensure their three piece is neatly folded and somewhere to hold those Mont Blanc cufflinks and bronze collar bones. I think you can then understand why I fell in love with Chia Maria. They take the quintessentially english association with Tweed and City Pinstripe and inject a sense of bespoke tailoring, giving a refreshing and unique new look to home, desk and travel accessories.
The accessories include stud boxes, paper trays, travel wallets and portfolios, to name a few.
I must state that Chia Maria is in no way, a purely masculine brand, far from it but with the sartorial elegance of the pinstripe and traditional country tweed, it was no wonder these pieces caught our attention at Elliot James.
Looking to the future, Lucia states that the focus is to consolidate and nurture Chia Maria to become synonymous for British design and luxury on both national and international levels. Judging by her accomplishments so far and the quality of her range, I have no doubt she will succeed.
For more products available at Chia Maria please ensure you visit www.chiamaria.com
