Attic Accessories Review Vol.2
IN COLLABORATION WITH ATTIC ACCESSORIES Sometimes in the winter, it’s easy to fall into a pile of dark colours. With black boots and chunky knits keeping us warm from the cold, I tend to add more sparkles to my day-to-day life in this season — reminding myself the importance of a little colour. Like all things in high quality, a little goes a long way. Simple classic tailoring does a good enough job, just like these stunning pieces from Attic Accessories.
For those of you who's been here a little longer (thank you!), you know this is not the first time I’ve worked with Attic Accessories. So here’s a couple of my favourite from their recent release.
每當到了冬天，我很容易陷入無限的深色輪迴（好，其實我一年四季都是這樣）。套上黑靴子，用深色毛衣與大衣把自己緊緊包住。但或許正是如此，到了這樣的季節，我總會更用心的搭配配件，出門前套上點飾品，讓整體多幾分亮點與色彩。像所有好質感的人事物一樣，好的飾品從來不適用數量取勝，它所散發出來的光芒，即便只有單單一只，依舊是特別易見。
如果是看過我文章的讀者（在這裡先感謝大家的支持），想必對 ATTIC 小閣樓不陌生（之前的文章請點這裡）。時隔快兩年， 我與 VANESSA 再度攜手合作，而這次，我如同以往，在他們的新品中，挑選了五樣符合我個人風格同時又好搭配的品項給大家。目前已經與這些飾品相處一個月，快來看看我的心得吧。
I'm a vast ring wearer. Now that I'm older and more confident with my style, I don't seem to make much impulse purchases when it comes to jewellery. I always try to make sure they go with my current collection; if they don't, I ask myself if this is something I would or know how to wear by itself. Speaking of, I'm delighted with the two beautiful rings I've picked this time.
我是戒指控，對於這些指尖光環的癡迷程度，連我老闆都曾經跑來我桌邊問我說「你的戒指都在哪裡買的啊？」。或許是年紀大了，又或許是以前二十出頭的時候踩過太多雷，現在終於知道自己適合與不適合什麼（笑）。對於戒指，我不再會像以前一樣出現衝動購物，然後過沒多久就後悔的情形。加上很常網路購物（我一半以上的衣服都是網購來的，連現在小窩的家具也都是），通常看了照片，研究一下材質尺寸等等，都不太會出什麼狀況。而這次的兩枚小閣樓戒指，我收到本人的時候，可是比看到照片還滿意呢。
The Golden-Plated Snowflake Zircon Opening Ring is the first piece that caught my eye when Vanessa (designer of Attic Accessories), asked me to pick a couple of pieces from their latest collection. It is so sparkly. I love the feminine snowflake model, and the open design makes is slightly adjustable. I love how it is a piece you can wear both casually and also to a formal work event (for size reference, I wear it on my middle finger most of the time, I'm a size 50-52).
Now, the Asymmetrical vintage Gold Triangle Zircon Ring — my most worn piece from this entire edit. First, I love all things asymmetrical when it comes to styling, so when I saw the photo, I knew straight away it's going to be up on my alley. Since I'm pretty minimal most of the time, this piece to me is a semi-cocktail ring, and before the package came, I assume it would be quite weighty. But again, Vanessa, with her cracking skills, it is not hefty or ridiculously heavy, and she did not sacrifice the quality at all. I wore it by its own most of the time (you know the days when you only have 10 seconds to run out the door before you are late for work? this ring is my fashion savor), and it is quite the statement.
鍍金雪花鋯石開口戒是我第一個選中的飾品。它，很亮。好喜歡它的雪花設計，有點可愛，但閃亮的鋯石也同時增添了幾分女性魅力。在我看來，是介於清新女孩與成熟女人的美好飾品，而想當哪個，就看衣服怎麼搭配了。澳洲現在是冬季，日常的毛衣牛仔褲很搭、正式點的西裝外套與膝上靴，也不違和。在任何場合，想吸點目光，但又不想太招搖，它會是你的絕佳夥伴。雪花戒指可以調戒圍，但我大多數都待在中指唷（歐洲戒指尺寸為50-52 ，讓大家參考）。
接下來，是我在這五件單品中，最常配戴的不對稱復古金三角鋯石戒。光是不對稱這點，就已經深得我心，在加上小閣樓最擅長、也最為人熟知的復古銅色，整只戒指顯得更有故事性。若要比喻，那就是款代表個性女子的飾品吧。我的穿搭趨於簡單，所以這只對我來說已經算是 STATEMENT RING 了，趕著出門的時候，靠得就是這些指尖溫度來替個人風格畫龍點睛。其實光看照片的時候，已經做好這款三角鋯石戒會有點重量的心理準備，沒想到意外地很輕盈。拿起來仔細看，質感依舊在線，完全沒有任何為了重量得省略或是犧牲的跡象。這就是小閣樓的工匠精神，這就是為什麼即便看過國外的設計，我還是會對它著迷。同樣可以微調戒圍，我自己習慣戴在食指，尺寸剛好（食指歐碼為52-54）。
I know necklace-layering is the trend now. I have experimented with wearing multiple delicate necklaces together, but due to my stringy hair and its ability to tangle into every loop, these days I do one piece at a time. I prefer short chains (this one sits just below my collar bone). I think they look quite put together with black knits — a.ka my winter uniform. That said, the Branch Zircon Wheel Copper Necklace is one of the few neckpieces that made it to my collection.
Of course, being someone obsessed with details, this one appeals more than being a short length piece — the Branch style chain drawn me in at the first place. Most of my necklace has a classic chain, so it's nice to have something different. I like to think it adds a sense of edginess, which is the perfect touch up to my dark winter outfits. However, I can ultimately see myself wearing them as much now, as with summer dresses in the warmer seasons. It is one of those design twists that makes them fun and timeless at the same time
時常看到很多我在社群媒體關注的帳號都在分享項鍊堆疊，我自己也嘗試過，但可能是我太不秀氣，常常覺得很礙手礙腳，後來索性就都只戴一條出門。喜歡短鏈多於長鍊，特別是在冬天，覺得配上毛高領與圓領毛衣很時髦。但老實說，我手邊的項鍊不太多，小閣樓這款樹枝鋯石滾輪銅短鍊真的是少數讓我納入考量，喜歡甚至到最後愛上的。
當然，作為一個極度注重細節的人，讓我一開始注意到這條短銅鍊的原因，就是他特殊的鏈條設計。以短鏈來說，要找到質感好，但設計特殊的鏈條確實比較難（還是是我不太會找，大家歡迎來投稿推薦，笑）。所以看到這個樹枝設計，我真的大愛，好有味道，很像在古董店會翻到的寶物。怎麼說好呢？就是又特別又經典的存在吧。這些天，我只要穿深色毛衣或上衣（OK 這樣說的話十天有九天），就會戴上它，為身上的黑色彩盤，點綴一下。然後，值得一提的是，小閣樓的項鍊勾超好上手，沒留指甲或是自己一個人在幾的時候也不會很無助的戴半天，手也不會痛（該不會只有我有這煩惱吧？）。
I love how beautiful the Rolled Zircon Drop Gold-Plated Bangle looks by just sitting there. I have small hands and wrists, and often the wrong proportion pieces can leave me looking odd and short-armed. This bangle is just the right size to flatter my wrist, and being adjustable is so much help.
This bangle is SO sparkly, which may be daunting for some. However, it's a lot easier to wear than you think. It is luxe, but perhaps it is the geometrical design that makes it less overwhelming. I particularly love how the gem is in drop design in the centre. I wear it over my sleeves so that it nestles and sparks nicely with the knits.
跟項鍊一樣，在手環方面，我超級念舊。加上手腕偏細跟手掌又小，通常設計沒挑對，就會顯得手很短，所以一買到合適的，我就會忠心耿耿的戴著。但或許因為是來自台灣的品牌，考慮到亞洲女性的手形（我在這裡真的超難買手環，特別是開口型設計，小偷都不用偷，我可以直接掉在地上讓他撿），戴起來還很修飾。
至於外觀設計呢？首先，我必須大聲說，滾邊鋯石水滴鍍金手環非常閃！閃到我跟攝影師在準備這次的照片的時候，都一直讚嘆。光看外表，可能會覺得它難駕馭，但其實這一個月下來，它的翻牌率比我想像中高很多。閃歸閃，卻一點都不會過於浮誇，帶去工作也不會遭遇到異樣的眼光，雖然我個人是秉持想穿什麼穿什麼，但我知道很多人都還是多少會在意。冬天的時候，喜歡跟有破損感的長袖毛衣搭，加上用上衣的顏色做對比，更能凸顯出中間的水滴鋯石與手環本身的幾何設計。袖口讓溫潤光芒微微露出，就是喜歡這樣的不經意。
When I first discovered Attic Accessories 6 or 7 years ago (wow, time flies!), my first piece from them is a bracelet. And that was sort of what threw me into this rabbit hole of independent jewellery designer brands. This time, I went for the Zicron Step Copper Bracelet. Honestly, you don't see pieces at this price point done like this. I guess this is what I love about Attic Accessories. Their bits are not in a particular genre. You can style them in a traditional manner, while on the other hand, you can play around. You can make something vintage look modern, and vice versa.
All of the Zicrons Vanessa sourced are all so sparkly (how many times am I going to say this? make it a drinking game), but most nicely. It's bling that comes with quality. When you look at one thing, you probably can't even tell, but when you compare — you know. It wasn't until I lay out all my pieces that I realise this bracelet goes well with my two rings, well that's a plus! I had mine at the tightest, which shows the little charm at the back, which is quite lovely.
挖掘小閣樓的時候，大約是六七年前（時間過好快！），當時我入手的第一件飾品，就是手鍊。入了這美麗的坑後，我手邊的小閣樓飾品，這幾年陸陸續續搜集，我手邊已有十多件。而這次，我傾心的就是階梯鋯石銅手鍊。老實說，真的好難相信，這樣的價錢，能夠有這樣的品質，也是市面上幾乎找不到的。過去總説復古女伶是小閣樓的形象主軸，但時間久了，懂得搭配後，發現其實這些飾品毫無侷限。穿戴飾品，可以個性、可以活潑可愛、可以狂野、可以氣質，掌控權完全在自己手中，一切隨你。復古的老件，也可以變得摩登，而現代感強的線條，同樣反之。
不得不說，小閣樓在鋯石這方面真的很厲害。那亮度，很驚人。閃這件事，大品牌不說，很多獨立設計師品牌都做得到，但要在價位大家可以接受的情況下，依舊閃得有質感不廉價，那就真的是極少數。跟前面分享的每件飾品一樣，擅長異材質拼接的 VANESSA ，不只在材料搜集上眼光獨具，在細節的掌握與控管，也讓我們這些老顧客非常放心。不用擔心照片與實品會有很大差距，只會更美。其實在選擇飾品的時候我並沒有特別留意，但收到包裹開始配戴後，意外發現這次選的都好搭，能達到互相加分的作用。我自己最愛這款手鍊跟第一只雪花開口戒混搭的感覺，你們認為呢？
I think there is nothing more satisfying than working hards and buying your own pieces. I love how jewellery means to me, the sign of empowering women to self-purchase her sparkly dreams. Speaking fo dreams, I think this is why independent designer brands always seem fascinating to me. Perhaps it is because they work in a smaller team, you get to peek into the behind-the-scenes a bit more and the story behind it all. It's raw, emotional and powerful — to see talented people working on their dreams. And as for Attic Accessories, the little charms, too - resembles the art of handcraft. Like I mentioned before, you cannot find anything in the quality at this price point. It is worth every penny.
Years, I've seen Vanessa grow. When we first started working together (man, I didn't even have my website then), it feels like she was at the experimenting phase. I recall her describing her brand as a beautiful accident. Well honestly, I think nothing is accidental. Everything happens for a reason. It's been over ten years since Attic Accessories has launched, and looking at her pieces now, you can see the growth & change. In her confidence, in her skills, her creativity, and mostly, her aspect of life. A decade ago, Attic Accessories was a brand created by a girl with a dream. Now? A brand run by a woman, fulfilling her dream.
人生中擁有的第一件好質感的飾品，就是吳小姐買給我的。當時二十歲，是某種成長的象徵。一晃眼過去，現在的我，特別喜歡自己賺錢買下這些溫潤光澤的感覺。對我來說，那是種自我肯定。啊，最近為了目標與夢想，很努力了啊。說到夢想，我想這就是我著迷於獨立設計師品牌的原因。或許是他們團隊規模較小，又或許是他們的小眾，總能看見他們為了夢想，用盡全力的身影，而這景象，除了讓人想支持，自己似乎也跟著擁有更多信心與力氣。
以前總會跟人提起小閣樓是個復古意象很鮮明的品牌。但看到這些新品之後，漸漸拋棄了這種想法。是的，小閣樓的確有復古風格強烈的設計，但整體下來，如果仔細些，會發現其實品牌是無法以單一面向來定義。小閣樓，不只做富含復古魅力的飾品，而是用充滿故事性的材料或老件，打造出不同的樣貌，我想，這就是成長；而品牌的成長，取決於設計師本身的茁壯與蛻變，畢竟一個人本來就不只有一個面貌。如同 VANESSA 所說的 — 「我和小閣樓一同成長，品牌就是設計師的化身，風格或許多變，但靈魂與初衷不變」。六七年前剛接觸 VANESSA ，覺得小閣樓，是她繪畫中的藍圖，而她是個追逐夢想的女孩。現在呢？在我眼裡 V 成了實踐家，藍圖已完工，但她並沒有因此停下腳步，依舊持續用自身的故事創造有溫度的飾品，持續精進，持續拓展，持續創作。而我，也持續喜愛著。
*看到喜歡的設計，可以把名字記下來或是截圖然後到 ATTIC 小閣樓的粉絲專頁詢問唷。但因為都是手工飾品，所以除非是已經完成的成品，不然大家請耐心等待（笑）
photography by Annie Chen All jewellery pieces are gifted by Attic Accessories