Iñovative jewellery design

Press, 17 April 1982, Page 10

Iñovative jewellery design

“I just can’t stand it when people say we are behind Australia in fashion” says Nita Henry, a Christchurch innovator behind the “Nita Henry” range bf jewellery and fashion accessories. “So : I am enjoying trying to niake accessories that are right-up-to-date with those trends seen overseas.” A relative newcomer to the New Zealand accessory business, Nita’s designs are geared to be worn with up-to-the-minute, young fashion. Experience working both as a model, make-up instructor, and receptionist for an Auckland model agency gave her an insight into the fashion world, and those areas relatively untapped. During the summer months you may well have seen Australian gold-shell bracelets, earrings, necklaces and belts. These were more than likely part of Nita’s summer collection, all handmade and designed by herself using local and Australian materials. Frequent Australian selling trips to search out new ideas and new avenues for her creative talents keep Nita Henry on her toes between fashion seasons. Now well established in many New Zealand boutiques, her accessories are designed specifically for in-season fashion. This winter’s collection covers the. spectrum from wooden, hand-painted necklaces and earrings with fairies and jungle animals, to gold, green, and, autumn

shaded leaves in' bracelets, hair-pieces and belts. Her. African-inspired jewellery l in skins of beasts-of-the-jungle simulated onto chamois have proved a tremendous success. To meet the demand her range also includes large, burnished bronze, copper, and gold bracelets and ear-

rings along with multi-col-oured silk scarves and belts twisted with fine gold thread in true ethnic flavour. “Fifty per cent of my ideas are arrived at by seeing something that appeals then working out a design to suit the tastes and market of the moment,” she says. “But then there are always

those who will try to copy my designs. This doesn’t worry me, as copyists can never be ahead while they are following,” she said. One of the appealing aspects of Nita’s young accessories are their price. Most items selTfor a few dollars because she believes trendfashion must be fun and

enjoyed, and not a burden on the pocket. Nita Henry’s own youthful, assertive personality is obviously part of her success as a first in her field. And ' already her drawing board is .full of ideas for next summer, which is “looking very exciting."