{{short description|British jewellery designer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Use British English|date=August 2013}} {{Infobox person | name = Theo Fennell | image = | caption = | birth_name = Alister Theodore Fennell | birth_date = {{birth date and age |df=yes|1951|08|08}} | birth_place = Egypt | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Jewellery and silverware designer | known for = | spouse = Louise MacGregor | children = 2, including Emerald | website = {{URL|theofennell.com}} }} '''Alister Theodore Fennell''' (born 8 August 1951) is an English jewellery and silverware designer. He is nicknamed the "King of Bling" due to his flamboyant designs for celebrity clients. In 1982, he opened his eponymous jewellery business. In 2009, he returned to the company after 18 months away, and regained control of the company in 2021.<ref name="ES May 2022" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Zhang |first=Tianwei |date=23 November 2021 |title=Britain's Theo Fennell Wants to Keep His Brand Small, and Beautiful: After taking back control of his brand, Fennell has been focusing on bespoke pieces for private clients and nurturing a future generation of British jewelers |page=66 |work=WWD: Women’s Wear Daily |url=https://wwd.com/accessories-news/jewelry/theo-fennell-brand-l-1234997283/ |access-date=2023-11-02 }}</ref>
== Early life == Alister Theodore Fennell was born to English parents in Egypt<ref name="The Guardian" /> on 8 August 1951.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Mathiason |first=Nick |date=24 December 2006 |title=The king of celebrity bling |work=The Guardian|location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/dec/24/theobserver.observerbusiness4 |access-date=2023-11-02}}</ref> He was educated at Eton College,<ref name="Evening Standard">{{cite news |title=The king of bling: Theo Fennell on the lunacy of the Noughties |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/the-king-of-bling-theo-fennell-on-the-lunacy-of-the-noughties-6765064.html |access-date=19 June 2022 |work=Evening Standard|location=London |date=10 April 2012}}</ref> York College of Art, and the Byam Shaw School of Art.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peacock |first=Eric |date=July 2018 |title=Theo Fennell: 'There are no shortcuts' |url=https://www.luxury-briefing.com/2018/07/all-that-glitters/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=Luxury Briefing}}</ref>
== Career == [[File:Theo Fennell, Fulham Rd - geograph.org.uk - 372228.jpg|thumb|Theo Fennell on Fulham Road]] [[File:Chelsea Barracks Square Store Front.jpg|thumb|Theo Fennell in Chelsea Barracks]] Fennell's first job was as an apprentice and designer at Edward Barnard, a long-established silversmiths in Hatton Garden.<ref name="The Guardian" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 December 2005 |title=Market profile |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2929035/Market-profile.html |access-date=2023-11-02}}</ref> Following his apprenticeship, he started his first jewellery business in 1974.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=January 2023 |title=Theo Fennell: A Jeweller with a Passion For Rarity & Beauty |work=Country & Town House |url=https://www.countryandtownhouse.com/style/jewellery-and-watches/theo-fennell-a-jeweller-with-a-passion-for-rarity-beauty/ |access-date=2023-11-02}}</ref> In 1982, he opened the first Theo Fennell shop at 177 Fulham Road in Chelsea, a location he chose to be closer to his clients.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Leroux |first=Marcus |date=1 December 2012 |title=Private equity gets extra time to ponder the beauty of Theo Fennell |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/private-equity-gets-extra-time-to-ponder-the-beauty-of-theo-fennell-6tqj37rbd0w |access-date=2023-11-02}}</ref> In 1997, he moved his flagship store into the building he helped design at 169 Fulham Road.<ref name=":1" />
In 2007, Fennell held the exhibition ''Show Off!'' at London's Royal Academy of Art,<ref name=":1" /> consisting of an array of installations, dioramas, paintings, presentations, and sculptures, each showcasing a piece of his jewellery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/video|title=Video news and features|website=British Vogue}}</ref>
In 2008, Fennell founded The Original Design Partnership, a design consultancy specialising in jewellery, silver, and curios while also working in other design fields, including mentoring young British designers through his Gilded Youth initiative.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theodp.com/ |title=The Original Design Partnership |access-date=2012-08-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118224412/http://www.theodp.com/ |archive-date=18 January 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Rebecca |date=February 22, 2023 |title=Central St Martins graduate gets once-in-a-lifetime opportunity |url=https://www.professionaljeweller.com/central-st-martins-graduate-gets-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity/}}</ref>
By 2011, Fennell had expanded from jewellery into items such as silver photo frames, cocktail shakers, and jugs, with more products in design.<ref name="The Independent">{{cite news |last1=Chesters |first1=Laura |title=Spotlight On... Celebrity jeweller, Theo Fennell |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/spotlight-on-celebrity-jeweller-theo-fennell-6277759.html |access-date=19 June 2022 |work=The Independent|location=London |date=16 December 2011}}</ref> In 2011, bespoke items such as the Secret Garden ring with yellow gold, paraiba tourmaline, diamond, and enamel were listed at £40,000 or more.<ref name="The Independent" />
In May 2022, after 25 years at 169 Fulham Road, Fennell announced that he would move his shop to Chelsea Barracks as the rent had become "ludicrous".<ref name="ES May 2022">{{cite news |last1=Prynn |first1=Jonathan |title='King of Bling' Theo Fennell forced out of Fulham Road flagship |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/king-of-bling-theo-fennell-fulham-road-flagship-chelsea-barracks-b998804.html |access-date=19 June 2022 |work=Evening Standard|location=London |date=9 May 2022}}</ref>
Fennell's clients have included Joan Collins, Lady Gaga, Elizabeth Hurley, Elton John, and Madonna.<ref name="Town & Country">{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Leena |title=This Is Theo Fennell's Year |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/jewelry-and-watches/a40118551/theo-fennell-inteview/ |access-date=19 June 2022 |work=Town & Country |date=17 June 2022}}</ref>
==Honours== Fennell is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths (IPG)<ref name="GCDC">{{cite web |title=The Goldsmiths' Craft & Design Council Awards 2021 |url=https://www.craftanddesigncouncil.org.uk/site_files/6561/upload_files/1917.GCDCAnnual_spreads.pdf?dl=1 |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="IPG">{{cite web |title=Find a Craftsman |url=http://www.ipgoldsmiths.com/find-a-craftsman.html |website=Institute of Professional Goldsmiths |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref> and an ambassador for The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council.<ref name="Craft and Design Council">{{cite web |title=Ambassadors |url=https://www.craftanddesigncouncil.org.uk/page/ambassadors/ |website=Craft and Design Council |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref> He is a liveryman of the Goldsmiths Company, and an honorary fellow of the University of the Arts London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Getting to Know: Theo Fennell |url=https://www.roseberys.co.uk/artistandmakers/theo-fennell/profile-and-sold-works-by-roseberys-auctioneers-london?authorview=1 |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=Roseberys London}}</ref>
== Personal life == Fennell is married to author Louise MacGregor, with whom he lives in London.<ref name="The Guardian"/><ref name="Evening Standard" /> They have two daughters: actress and filmmaker Emerald and fashion designer Coco.<ref name="The Guardian"/><ref name="Evening Standard" />
Fennell published his memoir, ''I Fear for This Boy: Some Chapters of Accidents'', in 2022.<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Michael |title=Jeweller Theo Fennell: 'Being called the king of bling is better than the prince of darkness' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/apr/10/theo-fennell-jeweller-memoir-fear-for-this-boy-interview |access-date=19 June 2022 |work=The Guardian|location=London |date=10 April 2022}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fennell, Theo}} Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of the Byam Shaw School of Art Category:British jewellers Category:British silversmiths Category:British jewellery designers Category:People educated at Eton College