‘I try to make environmentally responsible choices whenever possible': NI silversmith making sustainable jewellery from recycled metals
An Armagh-based jeweller has been creating unique items from recycled and second-hand silverware as a way to be 'as sustainable as possible in a world of fast fashion'.
Barbara — also known as Barbie — Blane started B Blane Designs in 2019 with each piece handmade in her home studio using traditional tools and crafted using recycled silver and gold.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Australia sues China-linked rare earths investors
SYDNEY, June 26 (Reuters) - Australia is suing a Chinese-linked company and a former associate over a breach of foreign investment laws linked with rare earths miner Northern Minerals ( opens new tab, the national treasurer said on Thursday, adding it was the first case of its kind. Indian Ocean International Shipping and Service Company was one of five foreign investors with ties to China subject to an order by Treasurer Jim Chalmers to divest shares on national interest grounds in June last year. Chalmers said in a statement he had lodged a legal action in the Federal Court and was seeking penalties, declarations and costs. 'Foreign investors in Australia are required to follow Australian law,' Chalmers said. 'We are doing what is necessary to protect the national interest and the integrity of our foreign investment framework.' The statement, which said the case was the first to be brought by a Treasurer before the Federal Court for an alleged breach of foreign investment laws, did not give details of the current stake holdings. It named Indian Ocean, but did not name the former associate. Indian Ocean International Shipping and Service Company could not immediately be contacted for comment. Australia has sought to build a rare earths supply chain to decrease China's dominance over the elements used in products from smartphones to wind turbines and missiles and radar systems. Northern Minerals, a supplier of rare earths to a refinery being built by Iluka Resources ( opens new tab in Western Australia, became a flashpoint for the contest after Australia blocked Singapore-based Yuxiao Fund from doubling its stake in the company to almost 20% in 2023. Yuxiao, controlled by Chinese businessman Wu Tao, along with four other entities, including Black Stone Resources of the British Virgin Islands and Indian Ocean International Shipping and Service Company based in the United Arab Emirates, were ordered in 2024 to sell shares worth 10.37% of Northern Minerals' share capital within three months to unconnected associates.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Steve Madden rival, Freebird, shuts 14 stores amid retail crisis
A much-loved footwear chain has shuttered the majority of its stores as it teeters on the edge of bankruptcy. Freebird, founded in Denver in 2009, rose to prominence selling a range of boots and other niche footwear. However, the brand -once a rival of major brands such as Steve Madden - has fallen on tough times and has now shuttered 14 of its 20 locations. The retailer has blamed the rising cost of staff wages, dips in consumer spending and supply chain issues made worse by Trump's recent tariffs. The company's woes were laid bare last month when KeyBank sued in an attempt to recoup some of the $15.4 million they claim Freebird owes the bank, The Sun reported. A court ordered financial firm Ampleo to take control of the company and instigate turnaround efforts. Ampleo consultant Doug Charboneau soon told the court that Freebird was in a 'severe liquidity crisis.' On top of its KeyBank debt the footwear maker also owes $6 million to the Mexico-based manufacturer that supplies 85 percent of its products. However, this supplier has now ceased operations, according to the publication. Ampleo said it is in negotiation with two companies interested in buying Freebird. However, if a deal is not forthcoming then it will close four more of its remaining stores. This would leave Freebirds at risk of a bankruptcy filing and full liquidation. As the chain's future looks uncertain shoppers may be able to pick up sale bargains as it tries to shift its inventory. All sales in store and online are now final, and returns will not be accepted. It comes just weeks after another popular shoe chain filed for bankruptcy as in-person store's continue to struggle in a tough retail landscape. Soleply, known for its high-end brands like Kanye West's Yeezy, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey back in March. Soleply - which also sells t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets and hoodies - has up to $10 million in debts, according to court filings. The premier sneaker retailer currently has six locations across Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Major footwear brands are also struggling with Nike recently reporting a shocking sales collapse. Nike's sales dropped 9 percent in the first quarter of the year, a staggering $1.16 billion drop.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Luxury sector pins hopes on Middle East despite clouds from conflict
PARIS, June 26 (Reuters) - With Middle East airspace reopening and the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran appearing to hold, the luxury sector is still counting on the region's wealthy shoppers to help offset weakness in its main U.S. and Chinese markets - for now. The Middle East, helped by strong tourist flows and local wealth, has bucked a recent global slowdown in luxury sales that is expected to deepen this year, with some brands growing sales there at double-digit rates. Luxury sales in Gulf countries were up 6% to $12.8 billion of the nearly $400 billion market last year, outpacing a global drop of 2%, with strong appetite for high-end fashion, jewellery and beauty products, retail consultant Chalhoub Group said. However, that trade is heavily dependent on the region's burgeoning tourist trade, with consulting firm Bain estimating that some 50-60% of the Middle East's luxury sales come from tourists. This month's outbreak of an air war between Israel and Iran emphasised the ongoing risks in a region in which unrest was already simmering, with airlines cancelling flights and rerouting planes following Israel's strikes against Iran on June 13 - measures that are now being unwound. "At this point, we have not adjusted our long-term growth forecast, as we continue to see considerable potential in the region," said Federica Lovato, senior partner at Bain. "However, short-term volatility has increased in the last few weeks and may continue, depending on how the situation develops." The region is an important hub for travel spending, favoured by Russian oligarchs but also wealthy Asians, and has increased in importance since Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered sanctions and the rerouting of flights between Europe and Asia from more northerly routes to the Middle East. It also serves as a gateway for high-end brands to reach wealthy shoppers from India, where high tariffs have kept companies like LVMH ( opens new tab from expanding store networks. Max Heinemann, co-CEO of travel retail group Gebr Heinemann, which recently expanded into Saudi Arabia and operates airport fashion retail stores carrying luxury brands in Jeddah, said the region's travel market has shown long-term resilience despite unrest. He remains optimistic. "Dips may be witnessed, but growth will remain," he said. At Prada (1913.F), opens new tab, first-quarter sales in the region rose 26% year-on-year, while Hermes' ( opens new tab sales there were up 14%. High-end fashion and jewellery brands have been opening new stores and hosting splashy events. Milan-based menswear label Zegna (JN0.F), opens new tab this month took its spring collection to the opera house in Dubai, the region's leading luxury hub, for a catwalk show in an elaborate set evoking an Italian villa. Elie Saab held its 45th anniversary show in Riyadh last November, featuring a performance from Celine Dion. Dior, Saint Laurent and Valentino last year opened stores in Bahrain, while this year Louis Vuitton brought guests to the Dubai desert for a dawn meal and Chanel hosted a dinner in Abu Dhabi linked to a high jewellery launch. But maintaining visitor numbers to Middle Eastern destinations will be vital to bringing shoppers through the doors. Luxury travel agency Global Travel Moments says that for now, its long-term travel volumes to the Middle East have been unaffected by the latest unrest. However, given recent events, there is currently "certainly more caution" before finalizing trips to the broader Middle East, it said. ($1 = 0.8546 euros)
