A Peace Treaty..

Being lovers of all things handy craft, and promoting it as much as we can in Barcelona, we thought we would do a blog on one of our favourite accessory designers A Peace treaty, whose collections of scarves and jewellery are inspired by hand crafting cultures from the middle east, Asia, South America and Africa and aim at creating ethically produced artisan level accessories for the luxury fashion market..here is a little more of their story..

'Born in 2008, as a personal pact between Farah Malik, a Pakistani Muslim, and Dana Arbib, a Libyan Jew, A PEACE TREATY creates employment for skilled artisans working in places of socio-political strife, effectively supporting their technique and craft while elevating their products to the level of high design for an exclusive and international fashion audience.

Inspired by the hand-crafting cultures of the Middle East, Asia, South America and Africa, A PEACE TREATY was conceived when Arbib and Malik met while living in Rome. The two discovered that they shared both a love of high fashion and a desire to increase awareness of ancient, disappearing crafting traditions. Intermingling Arbib’s strong background in graphic, textile and product design with Malik’s history of developing multimedia marketing campaigns for social justice and human rights, they set about connecting discerning fashion connoisseurs with cache, boutique level artifacts from places typically seen only negatively through the media lens.

Each season, A PEACE TREATY travels to a particular region and seeks out local village artisans to re-define an accessory, designing limited edition pieces in style unique colorways. Each jewelry or scarf collection resuscitates ancient handmade textile and metalsmithing techniques that are at risk of extinction. Working with craftspeople in eight countries and injecting life and trade back into local economies, A PEACE TREATY employs artisans with above fair trade wages and invests in creating income generation opportunities for out-of-work artisans, disabled and widowed women.'

From http://apeacetreaty.com/pages/story

Hand Crafted

Following on from our entry last week on furniture made from salvaged wood, we thought we would blog about a project going on not to far from herein Barcelona. ARXE, a company that also creates furniture and one of a kind textile pieces created from salvaged antique and industrial materials which are found all across Europe, including wood, metal, iron,steel and textiles. Making all the pieces hand crafted and unique! Love all of it!

Lights, Camera, Action...

 Nice idea....and fun project. Various camera inspired lamps. We know someone in Barcelona who could custom make one for you from your old camera! 
Antiques & Boutiques...for creative projects.

5 Questions with Oscar

Antiques and Boutiques are happy to launch their first in a series of interviews we have been doing with designers and makers from Barcelona and beyond. Giving us a chance to ask those makers that inspire us about themselves and their work. To begin our series we have asked our favourite local tailor Oscar.H.Grand to answer 5 questions for us. He also kindly let us into his workspace and shop to take some pictures of him at work. Here is what we asked him.. 

How did you get to where you are today?

Now much of what I do is  made to measure, suits and the like. This  aspect  of my work is always becoming more important, though it wasn't always like this, but the demand for tailor made clothing has become so high that I adapted to this way of working, a smaller but more specialised market. So I've arrived at this point where I am today, from the fruits of experience and an ever growing appreciation of the artisan product.

What inspires you?

When I was studying I was inspired by designers  that I loved…Yamamoto, Margiela etc, but in time I stopped following the collections and focused more on classical menswear design. Pieces that we are all are all familiar with  such as bomers,  levi’s jackets and the English trench, I began reproducing them in a contemporary way and with a personal touch.

What is your ethos?

It is to stay small, to have a shop in which the quality of product can grow but not the quantity. So that it can be controlled without stock, but continuously making new garments. And of course to remain independent, which is very important and what I find most appealing and consistent with my way of living and thinking.

Describe yourself in 5 words..

Persistent, intuitive, empathetic, energetic, subtle.

What is your favourite Barcelona spot?

I love the Caixa Forum, besides being a  beautiful building (a former textile factory from the early 20th century designed by Puig i Cadafalch) there have been wonderful art exhibitions there which are free any day of the week.

Right now there are two magnificent exhibitions showing the work of Delacroix and Goya, a real luxury!

Chandelier crystals

We love: these chandelier crystals from our favourite chandelier repair man! A great way to decorate the house over the festive season or all year round. Wishing everyone the best and a Happy New Year..


www.antiquesandboutiques.com do private Interior and Homestyle tours in Barcelona.