Alister Theodore Fennell (born 1951) is a British jewellery and silverware designer.

Early life

Fennell was born in 1951 in Egypt. He is the son of Major Alister Ivor Fennell, and his wife, Beryl Ruth Verity Fennell (''née'' Frith). The son of an army family, he spent his early years all over the world. He was educated at Eton, and then York College of Art, followed by the

Byam Shaw School of Art The Byam Shaw School of Art, often known simply as Byam Shaw, was an independent art school in London, England, which specialised in fine art and offered foundation and degree level courses. It was founded in 1910 by John Liston Byam Shaw and ...

, now part of the University of the Arts London.

Career

After art school, Fennell's first job was as an apprentice and designer at Edward Barnard, a long-established silversmiths in

Hatton Garden Hatton Garden is a street and commercial zone in the Holborn district of the London Borough of Camden, abutting the narrow precinct of Saffron Hill which then abuts the City of London. It takes its name from Sir Christopher Hatton, a favouri ...

. He then went solo in a small studio and workshop opposite Barnard's and in 1982 moved to 177

Fulham Road Fulham Road is a street in London, England, which comprises the A304 and part of the A308. Overview Fulham Road ( the A219) runs from Putney Bridge as "Fulham High Street" and then eastward to Fulham Broadway, in the London Borough of Hamme ...

and a small shop with a studio and workshop attached. In 1997, the company moved to 169 Fulham Road, a purpose-built building, where it still has its workshops and studio above the showroom gallery. In 2007, Fennell held an exhibition, ''Show Off!'', at London's

Royal Academy of Art The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its purpo ...

, consisting of an array of installations, dioramas, paintings, presentations and sculptures, each showcasing a piece of Fennell's jewellery. In 2008, Fennell founded The Original Design Partnership, a design consultancy, specialising in jewellery, silver, and curios while also working in other design fields, and mentoring young British designers. By 2011, Fennell had expanded from jewellery into items such as silver photo frames, cocktail shakers and jugs, with more products in design. In 2011, bespoke items, including the Secret Garden ring with yellow gold, paraiba tourmaline, diamond and enamel were listed at £40,000 or more. In May 2022, Fennell announced that after 25 years, he was to move from 169 Fulham Road to

Chelsea Barracks Chelsea Barracks was a British Army barracks located in the City of Westminster, London, between the districts of Belgravia, Chelsea and Pimlico on Chelsea Bridge Road. The barracks closed in the late 2000s, and the site is currently being redeve ...

, as the rent had become "ludicrous". Customers have included Elton John,

Joan Collins Dame Joan Henrietta Collins (born 23 May 1933) is an English actress, author and columnist. Collins is the recipient of several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a People's Choice Award, two Soap Opera Digest Awards and a Primeti ...

Elizabeth Hurley Elizabeth Jane Hurley (born 10 June 1965) is an English actress and model. As an actress, her best-known film roles have been as Vanessa Kensington in ''Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery'' (1997) and as the Devil in ''Bedazzled (2000 ...

, Madonna, and

Lady Gaga Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta ( ; born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her image reinventions and musical versatility. Gaga began performing as a teenag ...

Honours

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths (IPG) and an ambassador for The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council. He is a liveryman of the

Goldsmiths Company The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, commonly known as the Goldsmiths' Company and formally titled The Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery of Goldsmiths of the City of London, is one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of Londo ...

, and an honorary fellow of the University of the Arts London.

Publications

In 2022, his memoir, ''I Fear for This Boy: Some Chapters of Accidents'', was published.

Personal life

He lives in London with his wife, Louise (''née'' MacGregor), an author. They have two daughters, Emerald, a writer, actor and director, and Coco, a graphic designer.

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fennell, Theo 1951 births Living people Alumni of the Byam Shaw School of Art British jewellers British jewellery designers People educated at Eton College