The Big Issue shop went to the royal wedding with Studio 306

By now royal wedding fever has started to wind down for most of the country, but Pamela Anomneze, from Big Issue Shop supplier Studio 306, is still riding high on the excitement of her invite to last weekend’s event.

“I had an absolutely fantastic time at the wedding on Saturday. It was a beautiful, wonderful day. Everyone was so happy and friendly and that made it such a blissful, gorgeous day,” the 52-year-old said.

Pamela has been with Studio 306 since its humble beginnings in 2009. A project manager, she considers herself to be the “scaffolding” of the community interest company, which specialises in designing high quality ceramics, jewellery, sewing craft and screen printed products.

Its studio in Haringey, North London, empowers disadvantaged local individuals by offering a creative space for those who are recovering from mental illness. Here they can rediscover forgotten skills, develop new ones and boost their confidence within a working environment.

Pamela spoke to The Big Issue last month when she first heard of her invite. It was Pamela’s tireless work with Studio 306 and the local community that saw her nominated by the regional Lord Lieutenant offices to attend the Royals’ nuptials last weekend alongside other community heroes.

BigIssueShop_hero

After getting over her initial shock and thinking the invite was a prank, Pamela’s attention turned to choosing the perfect outfit for Saturday’s big day. Enlisting the help of her colleagues at Studio 306 to create the perfect accessories to match.

“I’ve chosen an Afro-English gown, it’s a beautiful flowing gown in royal blue and of course I’ll be wearing some beautiful handsome silver jewellery made right here in Studio 306. I feel it’s an outfit that truly represents me.”

Pamela’s gown was even hailed the ‘most impressive dress of the day’ by BBC’s Huw Edwards. Now, the unique hand-hammered sterling silver necklace Pamela wore on the day is up for auction to raise funds for the CIC to help support further teaching opportunities and with studio running costs.

As well as being “elated” at sharing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s day with them, Pamela was delighted at the chance to represent Studio 306 even popping up live on BBC News as the guests left the grounds and on ITV the following morning.

WhatsApp-Image-2018-05-23-at-13.49.26

“I’m so glad at the chance to attend the royal wedding,” she told The Big Issue. “Thanks to my appearances in lots of different media before and after the wedding, people are more aware of the collective and the work we do. We’re no longer limited to the UK, people know of us all over the world. It’s great to see our ethos of using creativity to promote recovery out there now.”

You can bid on Pamela’s necklace here. And don’t forget you can shop Studio 306 at The Big Issue shop.

There’s still time to grab your own Antiques Roadshow treasures of the future with The Big Issue royal wedding collection. Our exclusive range of commemorative objects to treasure are all designed by contributors to our Street Art page and artists who have experienced homelessness.