Who would turn down an invitation for breakfast and jewellery at a chic little downtown Toronto restaurant? Definitely not I. Recently, I attended a unique, fun and classy event at L’Ouvrier Kitchen Bar: brekky, and the launch of the brand new Canadian contemporary jewellery line Niki & Lola.
Niki & Lola is the creation husband-and-wife team Angie Tingas and Michael Proteau — she comes up with the jewellery concepts and he brings her ideas to life. They named the label after their daughters Sophia Niki and Alexia Lola, and describe the line as “a collection of one-of-a-kind, hand-soldered jewellery in mixed metals and semi-precious stones.” Everything is made right here in Canada.
The debut collection is called the Early Nomad capsule collection. Angie and Michael took inspiration from the simplicity of geometry as well as the primitive man and the handmade tools he would have made. This geometric, prehistoric inspiration is visible in simple-yet-impactful spear earrings ($125), geometric shield earrings ($85), a pounded brass bib necklace ($315), a cube bangle ($190) and, my personal favourite, a celestial-inspired bracelet ($150); these pieces incorporate, variously, brass, silver, Swarovski crystals, white jade, aventurine and amazonite.
Sticking with the family theme that gave the brand its name, Niki & Lola will be releasing adorable matching brass cuffs for mommies and daughters just in time for the holidays. With plans to expand to menswear in the future, Niki & Lola will soon be a family business in every sense of the word!
