Tom Binns talks Mrs O

Just been to see jewellery designer Tom Binns' new collection. Glad to see that Mrs Obama continues to promote the budget bling. Chic with a conscience. Her latest discovery was a vintage sea glass and crystal piece found at her favourite Chicago store, Ikram. A long time fan of Tom Binns, Ikram Goldman has been stashing some of her favourite sea glass classics from a collection over 10 years ago. She suggested one to Mrs Obama and now Mr Binns is re-working the look as part of a whole new dimension to the collection. And guess what? A piece like Mrs Obama's (they are all made from found glass so none are exactly the same) shouldn't set you back more than £500. Other hits from the collection include cut out and laminated photographs of classic haute joaillerie and wristfuls of watches but of course at a fraction of the price and a whole lot more fun to wear. A futuristic collection of gold metal sculptural metal pieces imagined through the eyes of a Martian landing among Masai. And my personal favourite: gob stopper-sized lacquered beads in fluorescent colours. Who knew recession accessorising could be such a blast!

- Paula Reed