TOM BINNS Punk ROCK Turquoise Pearl PIN Statement. Crown.

​Who is Tom Binns? ​The Irish Connection: Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he moved to London to study jewelry design. His work has always carried a bit of that "punk" & "anarchic" Irish wit. ​The "Right-Hand Man": In the early 1980s, he became Vivienne Westwood’s primary jewelry collaborator. He worked on her legendary "Punkature" & "World’s End" collections. ​The Aesthetic: He is credited with pioneering "junk jewelry"—taking everyday objects (like safety pins, forks, and broken glass) & turning them into high-fashion treasures. ​A "Dada" Artist: His style is heavily influenced by the Dada art movement, which focused on irrationality & anti-establishment themes. ​His Legacy ​Beyond his work w/ Westwood, he became a massive name in his own right, winning: ​Accessory Designer of the Yr (CFDA, '06) ​Best Accessories Designer (Br Fashion Council, '07) ​He even designed jewelry for icons like Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga. He is often described as a "rebel" who hated the commercial side of fashion, which likely explains why he and Westwood—the Queen of Punk—got along so famously. Punk distress it, rip it, paint it, break it, make it your own!