pic: Tatty Devine
Founders of cult jewellery brand Tatty Devine, Harriet Vine and Rosie Wolfenden, have been awarded MBEs in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.
The East London design duo started their business selling leather cuffs at Spitalfields and Portobello markets in 1999.
It did not take long before department stores and prestigious fashion magazines like Vogue were interested in their work. Their success enabled them to open two shops, one in Covent Garden and one in Brick Lane, as well as launch two collections every year at London Fashion Week.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be recognised for our achievements. We are very proud to be awarded in this year’s list,” said the pair. “We have always been driven to create new, original and exciting jewellery and always will. It’s at the heart of what we do.
“We want to thank all our customers for their support.”
Both designers have strong links with Tower Hamlets and Hackey, as Vine lives in Bethnal Green while Wolfenden is from Stoke Newington.
The Tatty Devine co-founders were not the only East Londoners who received honours this year. On December 29, honours were also awarded to the following from ELL boroughs:
Tracey Emin, the famously controversial ‘Brit artist’ who lives in Shoreditch, was appointed a CBE for services to the arts. (Hackney)
Geetha Nagasubramanian consultant gynaecologist at the Barts Health NHS Trust and head of service at Tower Hamlets contraception and sexual health services was awarded an MBE for her work with women and young people. (Tower Hamlets)
Jacqueline Anne Brock-Doyle, director of communications and public affairs for the London Organising Committee, received an OBE for her services to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (Tower Hamlets)
Emdadur Rahman received an MBE for services to the community in Tower Hamlets and his work with Bangladeshi media
Asim Iftikhar, a volunteer for the community of Poplar, was also awarded an MBE. (Tower Hamlets)
Victoria Paterson, Executive Head Teacher at Brindishe Green School, Brindishe Lee School and Lee Manor School in Lewisham
Nick Williams, retired Principal of the BRIT School in Croydon, were respectively made Dame and Sir. (Croydon)
Nana Nyarko, a bus station controller, has been appointed a MBE after defending a bus station and the passengers against rioters in West Croydon. The man, who works at the bus station for West Croydon, Crystal Palace, Addington and Kingston faced rioters to defend his station and helped passengers in August the 8, 2011. (Croydon)
