Birmingham-based jewelry designer Laura Vann has launched her new "Cinema" collection, inspired by the Art Deco architecture of the historic Odeon Cinema in Sutton Coldfield. The collection translates the landmark's unique design elements into a series of high-end, wearable pieces.
Translating the Art Deco curves of the Sutton Coldfield Odeon into gold
The new collection features a variety of pieces that mimic the structural beauty of the Grade II-listed building. according to the report, the jewelry includes fluted column earrings, curvaceous designs, T-bar pendants, and rhythmically undulating bracelets. Instead of relying on generic Art Deco tropes like "peacock feathers and fans ," Vann focused on the specific interior details of the Odeon, such as sweeping curtains, gridded façades, and globe lights.
This design approach aims to capture the "greedy" aesthetic of the era, utilizing different cut stones, colored gemstones, and various claw and bezel settings. by focusing on the architectural rhythm of the building, the collection seeks to elevate the cinematic experience into a tangible, luxury accessory.
How Harry Weedon’s 1930s sketches at Birmingham City University shaped the design
To ensure the collection felt authentic rather than literal, Vann spent two years researching the history of the cinema's architect, Harry Weedon. As reported by the source, Vann was granted access to Weedon's original line drawings and hand sketches held in an archive at Birmingham City University. This allowed her to "disassemble the building into jewellery," moving from 2D sketches to 3D wearable art .
Weedon, a Handsworth-born architect, was a pivotal figure in the 1930s, overseeing the Art Deco façades for all Odeon cinemas nationwide for founder Oscar Deutsch. This deep dive into archival materials allowed Vann to bypass superficial interpretations of the Jazz Age in favor of something more structurally grounded.
A personal link to the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter and the legacy of Oscar Deutsch
The collection also serves as a nod to Vann's own roots in the West Midlands. The designer has a deep connection to Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter, where her father previously operated his own jewelry business. this local heritage informs her approach to both design and sourcing;for instance, she notes that her brand sourecs pre-loved pieces from locations like Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges to refurbish and reset.
By connecting her modern designs to the historical craftsmanship of the Jewellery Quarter, Vann bridges the gap between the 1930s era of Oscar Deutsch and the contemporary luxury market. This connection reinforces the idea of jewelry as a vessel for storytelling and regional pride.
The uncertain fate of the Kingstanding cinema and local heritage petitions
While the Odeon remains a celebrated landmark, other local cinematic history is currently at risk. A nearby cinema in Kingstanding, which transitioned into a bingo hall in 1962, closed its doors for the final time this past June. while there is currently an active online petition to rehabilitate the building to its former glory, the future of this specific site remains unconfirmed.
It remains to be seen whether the community's efforts will successfully preserve this piece of local history, or if the Kingstanding site will face a different fate than the preserved Odeon. The tension between preservation and urban change remains a central question for the Birmingham community.
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