We’ll show you how to turn your chic little outfit into a complete fashion statement with just one little piece of imagination from the makers of

FRUG JEWELLERY

Tamara Steinborn and Nathan Dubo

Ottawa, Ontario

In 2000, straight out of art school and only months after signing the paperwork for their first ever business, partners, Tamara Steinborn and Nathan Dubo, found themselves attending the first trade show they’d ever seen – a national accessories show – as exhibitors. This kind of ‘leap first, ask questions later’ philosophy has guided Früg to becoming an established Canadian design house. Seizing on opportunities as they arose, Nathan & Tamara have run simultaneous studios in Winnipeg & Toronto &  then, for 7 years, Montreal`s Mile End, before settling in Ottawa and opening their retail location, Wunderkammer (German for ‘Wonder Room’ or ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’), in the historic Byward Market in 2011.

 Früg`s work can be found in fine retail stores & galleries from Vancouver Island to Yellowknife to Newfoundland. Over the years, their diverse customer list has included the Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, Vancouver Art Gallery, Musée des Beaux-Arts Montreal, Club Monaco’s Caban stores and Polaris Prize nominated Montreal band, Stars, who chose them to create custom necklaces for their world tour. Tamara & Nathan currently divide their time between the wholesale studio, their shop, and road trips to trade shows, antique shows, markets & closeout warehouses, searching for new and vintage goods and design inspiration.

THE COLLECTION

A no-holds-barred, anything goes line, Früg is made using upcycled deadstock combined with brass, chain and newer elements, semi-precious stones, fabric, and whatever else catches our eye.

After working behind the Früg name for 15 years, lead designer, Tamara Steinborn, steps out front with an eponymous line, showcasing her more personal obsessions.

The line has two divisions: the first takes bones, alchemy & organic elements as its launching point with original models hand carved in wax and then cast in bronze or sterling, and hand polished.

 The second division, ‘Vector’, consists of formed and hammered  sterling or 14k gold fill wire. Geometric shapes are created from the simplest lines, with results anywhere from bold to ephemeral.

Now let’s have a look to see how transformative (and affordable) these pieces can be. The fabulous Emmy Alcorn (actor, director, playwright and singer) models some of our Sympli tunics with FRUG neckpieces. Prices run $45 – $80.

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