PORTFOLIO.YVR: Alan Anderson | Jewels by Alan [PHOTOS]

Celebrated designer Alan Anderson has launched an elegant and sophisticated atelier in the historic 1891 Edward Blake House on Jarvis Street, one of Toronto’s last Gilded Age mansions.

The Alan Anderson Atelier occupies the second floor, with views of the Betty Oliphant Theater and the National Ballet School of Canada. In the 1980s, the Atelier was home to cartoonist Ben Wicks‘s studio. The Atelier hosts fashion events, and boutique shows each month and is the creative centre for Alan and his couture jewelry designs.

The Alan Anderson Atelier is a destination for jewelry collectors and fashionistas to shop in person the glittering assortment of beautiful baubles and bijoux beauties created by hand by Alan. A curation of small, beautiful vintage glassware, art, and a home fragrance collection are also featured.

Alan handcrafts each piece, prong-setting vintage crystals and stones to create one-of-a-kind creations, all signed with his signature cartouche. He does not research trends; instead stays true to his style with an ever-changing collection of statement jewelry. He refers to his pieces as ‘vintage infused’ as Alan travels the world searching for rare, vintage unmounted crystals and stones in their original packaging, which helps to date the crystals’ original production. That makes his designs unique — the stones and crystals will never be made again and, once used, cannot be duplicated. Under his direction, each piece is triple plated in Toronto in various precious metal finishes, including 14kt gold, rhodium, and antiqued Japanned.

When a major world-renowned manufacturer of Austrian crystal ended their wholesale supply chain to focus on their design work, the availability of authentic historical Austrian crystal is now limited to existing inventory in independent warehouses worldwide. Alan Anderson has prioritized seeking out these dwindling sources to support the creation of his unique, one-of-a-kind designs.

ORIGIN STORY

Established in 1997 in the corner of his apartment kitchen, Alan’s oeuvre has grown and flourished to become Canada’s definitive couture fashion jewelry house, recognized internationally as a unique atelier offering one-of-kind, eminently collectible designs featuring rare and vintage Austrian crystal elements in glamorous creations.

In 2018, Alan Anderson was involved in the inaugural Canadian Fashion Showcase at Canada House in Trafalgar Square as part of London Fashion Week (LFW SS19). Deemed one of the best in Canadian design talent, Anderson was selected by award-winning journalist Hilary Alexander OBE, Montreal’s Caroline Issa (Chief Executive and Fashion Director of Tank) and bespoke tailor to the world’s elite, Todd Lynn.

His pieces have adorned celebrities, and magazine covers around the world. Dame Elizabeth Taylor owned one of his amethyst cuffs, which became part of Christie’s auction of her collection. Other devotees are Katy Perry, Drew Barrymore, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Blake Lively, and Viola Davis.

His work, inspired by the glamorous sirens of Hollywood’s golden era, Newport’s Gilded Age, and turn-of-the-century European Royalty, is an art form — timeless, collectible and destined to be handed down through generations. Alan hopes his creations will be loved and “worn daily in random acts of glamour.”

If you are seeking that unique piece that is yours and yours alone, visit the Alan Anderson Atelier in person or online!

All Images provided by Alan Anderson Atelier | Photography by George Pimentel

Read the original version of this story in PORTFOLIO.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs here!

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer: Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.