Shaun Leane - Designer Jewellery London

Biography
Shaun Leane is a London-based jewellery designer. He trained by apprenticeship in Hatton Garden working with traditional English jewellery.

Over this thirteen-year period he was immersed in the craft of goldsmithing, fashioning delicate antique pieces and using precious metals and stones. He took a break from work to take a formal course at Sir John Cass College in East London, where he studied fine art and silver smithing.

Later, he set up an independent practise in London's Hatton Garden. In 1991 he began a valuable partnership with Alexander McQueen, producing a number of pieces for McQueen's second catwalk show 'Highland Rape'. As the extravagance and scale of McQueen's catwalk presentations grew, so did the scale and elaboration of Leane's creations - to a scale that could be described as full body sculpture. Leane draws his inspiration from street culture, the club scene and urban life.

He aims to encompass values of strength, confidence and beauty into his work, and produce pieces that don't just function as accessories, but say something about the individual wearing them.

Clients include Kate Moss, Liv Tyler, David Beckham, Sir Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, David Bowie, Bjork, Jade Jagger, Susan Sarandon, Sam Taylor-Wood, Alexander McQueen, Isabella Blow, Meg Matthews, Sharleen Spiteri, Massive Attack.

1985
Apprenticeship began at English Traditional Jewellery in Hatton Garden.

Produced work for Van Cleef and Arpels, Garrads, Kutchinskys, Mappin and Webb.

Remained at English Traditional Jewellery until 1998.

1991
Attained Advanced Level City and Guilds in Fine Jewellery and Design, Sir John Cass, London, England.

1992
Began collaborating with Alexander McQueen.

Taught himself silversmithing.

1997
Stared his own commercial collection.

1998
Exhibition
NO PICNIC at The Crafts Council, London.

1999
Solo exhibition
VIOLENTLY ELEGANT - Aurum Contemporary Jewellery Gallery, London, England.

Solo exhibition
THE METROPOLITAN HOTEL, London,England.

2001
Alexander McQueen and Givenchy - body sculpture for catwalk.

Created catwalk jewellery for Warren Norohna.

Commissioned to design collection for McQueen boutiques.

Fashion in Motion
THE VICTORIA and ALBERT MUSEUM London, England.

Alexander McQueen and Givenchy - body sculpture for catwalk.

2002
Alexander McQueen and Givenchy - body sculpture for catwalk.

De Beer's Shining Light Awards, South Africa. Judges the jewellery competition. Presents career overview presentation.

Alexander McQueen's new store opens in New York. Showcases McQueen own-label jewellery collection, designed and produced exclusively by Shaun Leane.

Wins Tahitian Pearl Design Award 2002.

Launches new identity with UK advertising campaign in Elle, Arena, Arena Homme Plus and Elle Decoration.

Catwalk pieces for Alexander McQueen - Spring/Summer 2003 show in Paris.

2003
Launches new Horn and Flower collections at Tranoi in Paris.

Runway Rocks
Catwalk piece for Swarovski Crystal at Sketch, London.

BodyCraze
Selfridges window display, plus basement exhibition.

Commissioned to design and make the De Beer's 'Trainers Prize' for Ascot 2003.

Interview coming soon!

For more information about Shaun Leane please visit his website

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