Fretwork and Jewellery Soirée. at the National Trust Property, 575 Wandsworth Road

At the National Trust property, 575 Wandsworth Road, the former home of Mr. Khadambi Asalache, poet, mathematician and architect, our Fretwork and Jewellery soirée brought together craft, conversation and thoughtful making in a setting shaped by patience, skill and reuse.

That setting felt especially resonant for Ayana Jade, where CoFounder Linda Achan also brings a multi-disciplinary background to design, drawing together materials, creativity, critical thinking and responsible innovation in ways that open up fresh perspectives and practical problem-solving.

The house itself is a remarkable example of devotion to craft. Over many years, Asalache transformed the interiors through intricate fretwork carved by hand, creating rooms where pattern, geometry and light interact in quiet harmony. It is a place that reminds visitors how patience, experimentation and sustained attention can transform materials into something enduring.

During the soirée, jewellery and architecture entered into conversation. Guests explored contemporary pieces created using jadeite (fei cui) jade and recycled precious metals, designed and made in the UK and hallmarked here. Much like the fretwork that surrounds the house, each piece reflects an appreciation for material character, careful making and the passage of time.

The evening also highlighted something broader. Across craft, architecture and product design, thoughtful material choices and circular thinking shape how objects are valued and remembered. At Ayana Jade, this perspective informs both our Jewellery collections and our digital Education & Advisory work, where we help organisations translate design thinking, materials strategy and responsible innovation into credible and commercially relevant practice.

Explore our Jewellery collections or enquire about talks, workshops or advisory exploring circular design, materials strategy and responsible innovation.