Bite Autumn 2012

bite jewellery

ThomasHalfordAyers PHOTOGRAPHER:TONYWELLINGTON MODEL: PENELOPE JANE OLDFIELD

H aving designed for top brands such as Warehouse, Debenhams, Liz Claiborne’s Mexx Europe,Tateossian and Lara Bohinc, jewellery and accessories designer Thomas Halford Ayers’ several years of experience has afforded him the opportunity to launch his own label. His costume jewellery line, Toto Design is inspired by the “multi-ethnical and multi- cultured environments that we find ourselves living in today.” It was born out of blending elements taken from whatThomas describes as “ worlds apart” and offers consumers accessible jewellery for lovers of bespoke craftsmanship and unique design. In the many roles that he was assigned to, Thomas was able to keep updated with the latest fashion trends and markets as well as working closely with fashion buyers and merchandisers. Thomas has been passionate about jewellery design since a very young age. “My grandfather, from the Italian side of the family, used to trade antique jewellery. As a matter of fact on that side of my family there are at least three generations of great people who dedicated most of their lives to the jewellery trade. I effectively started my career as a Jewellery Designer in 2003 when I presented my first collection at Goldsmiths University BA Design degree course.” Having graduated with a degree in BA

A DESIGNERTHAT HAS BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT JEWELLERY SINCE A YOUNGAGE,THOMAS HALFORDAYERS HAS DE- SIGNED FOR SEVERAL ESTABLISHED BRANDS. JADA BROOKES SPEAKS TOTHE DESIGNER,WHO HAS JUST LAUNCHED HIS OWN LABEL,AND LEARNS A QUITE A LOTABOUT THETHINKING BEHIND HIS DESIGNS.

Design in 2003 at Goldsmiths University in London, Thomas was prepared for a career in fashion. “The course enabled me to tackle any ‘design’ challenges and to think of ‘design’ in every daily task. I started my career with work experience at Lara Bohinc Design Studio in Hoxton Square, followed by three years of hard work at Tateossian Ltd in London where I really learned what it means to be a good designer and product developer. I am still very grateful for my work experience at Tateossian and I feel blessed to have learnt from such a great team. In 2008, I moved to Amsterdam in the Netherlands to work for Mexx Europe, where my career shifted from ‘Fine Jewellery Design’ to ‘Fashion Costume Jewellery Design and Accessories’. Working at Mexx gave me the chance to explore the creative side of the fashion industry and to learn more about the way a big international retailer operates at a faster pace and on larger scale.” In addition to his family passion for jewellery design,Thomas says the final push came when he was preparing for his final degree and working on his dissertation. “Halfway through my final year I felt that jewellery was the actual field of design that mostly suited my personality and skills.” He defines himself as an artist who creates commercial products,“Jewellery design empowers me to be a creative, an artist, a