KAREN RADLEY IN CONVERSATION WITH NARRATIVES THE AGENCY FOUNDERS

Perhaps Susan and Crystal you could both tell us something about your fashion backgrounds?

We met while both working at the V&A Museum, specifically buying and merchandising for the V&A Shops. At the V&A we worked to grow the sales of jewellery, accessories and clothing over a number of years. Responding to exhibitions such as Alexander McQueen and The Golden Age of Haute Couture, and of course the permanent collections of jewellery and textiles was a real treat, we also learnt lots about storytelling, provenance, and of course customers! We both left the V&A at various stages, then decided use our expertise, experience and network to set up Narratives The Agency, where we represent makers as well as running our own brand, Narratives The Line.

How does Narratives The Agency work because you also based out of New York?

Here in London we look after the UK and European markets, while our New York office looks after the US and Americas. This gives us insight into what consumers and trends are working well where, often completely different depending on season or collection.

So, how do you choose jewellery lines to represent?

The jewellers we represent all have distinctive points of view – all handmade, all curious and experimental, working with a variety of materials, colour and form. One of the things they have in common is that they are proven great sellers, and often once customers  know them, they become addicted – in the best possible way!

Tell me, is there a signature look for Narratives The Line?

Always strong, distinctive colour, and a mix of materials – resin and textile are mainstays for us, though we often include embroidery, beading, raffia, wood and glass.

Who would you say is your customer? 

Our women aren’t afraid to experiment and make a statement – we are inspired by women with distinctive style who marry art, fashion and curiosity. We are lucky to work with a real mix of retailers, from independent fashion, lifestyle stores through to museums and galleries. The breadth of our collections mean buyers can curate their own take.

If a woman was to own just one item from any of your collections - which one would you suggest and why?

That’s a difficult one! Probably a Springwire bracelet from Narratives The Line – one of our best sellers in black or classic red, though for this season we are doing a really beautiful wedgwood blue..

Is there a fashion designer or icon who has inspired you both? 

So many! Dries Van Noten, Alexander McQueen, Valentino, and Maria Grazia at Dior – but also Schiaparelli… we love the detail and mix of techniques..

Are you excited about coming back to Scoop at the Saatchi Gallery?

Really excited – fantastic location and always a great show, the buzz is like nowhere else!

Do you all have any words of positivity to share with our Scoop readers?  

Here’s to 2023, for us jewellery is about discovery and curiosity – looking forward to sharing the new collections!