Wednesday night was the grand opening of a brilliant new jewellery exhibition called ‘Bling, Jewellery Stories from the East End’ at the V&A Museum of Childhood.

The opening attracted fashionistas, and locals alike, all in the name of celebrating the fabulousness of body adornment.   Based in the East End location of Bethnal Green this exhibition shows work from established jewellers modelled by locals as well as student work and work by schoolchildren.

The rich cultural and creative history of the East End means that this is an ideal location to demonstrate the diverse practices of  jewellery making.

Tatty Devine is part of the exhibition at the museum and their new collection references the bling and extravagantly glitzy outfits of the East End pearly kings and queens.  Their jewellery is still characteristic of the Tatty Devine we know and love but the theme was distinctly rooted in the historic location of the East End which makes this collection extra special.

Here is a selection from the exhibition which you can purchase for yourself by browsing though their online shop or popping in to their real life boutique right at the end of Brick Lane.

I love Tatty Devine’s Gilbert & George range which was on display and I particularly like this blue silhouette necklace which is priced at £24. Both the artists Gilbert & George live locally as they have been based on Brick Lane for a number of years and so are particularly appropriate for inclusion within the ‘Bling’ exhibition.

I also spotted this Pearly King brooch £33 with sewn on buttons; it’s a great statement piece. I like the way it incorporates quirky emblems such as a horseshoe which symbolises luck, and bells which represent the East End church of  St Mary Le Bow. This brooch is just gorgeous to polish off an evening outfit and has a great story behind it at the same time.

Complete the set with this Pearly ring £33 which is definitely worth saving your pennies for. This ring is a little bit chunky but pretty and dainty at the same time, it features a white button and white border on a black background which would coordinate perfectly with the Pearly King brooch.

So go get inspired at the Museum of Childhood this summer, feast your eyes on the wonderfully decorative jewellery they have on display and then become a part of the bling revolution, and who says you have to be from East London to join in?