Cantermelon is 100 percent New Zealand-owned, and its social ethos supports independent publishing in New Zealand.
It was launched in 2023 after founder Emily Makere Broadmore discovered resin link phone chains in Paris and Europe. During her visit, she kept seeing what she thought were tiny, chic handbags on the streets of Paris.
After awkward enquiries in limited French, she soon realised these decorative strappy sautoirs were resin cellphone chains, worn instead of a handbag, worn cross-body or dangled from the wrist, allowing you to be hands-free.
A strap also makes carrying something like the biggest iPhone less cumbersome and offers security, protection, and safety for your phone. Celebrities embracing the phone chain trend include Kendall Jenner, Dua Lipa, and Gigi Hadid.
Intrigued, she found her way to the flagship Paris department store, Galleries Lafayette, where she purchased several phone accessories.
Then she had what one might call an “Emily in Paris-esque” epiphany. What if phone chains could fund Folly journal, a Wellington Writers’ Studio publication for writers and non-writers alike who produce quality content that is fun, silly, a bit sexy, and sometimes provocative?
As founder of the Wellington Writers’ Studio, editor and publisher of Folly and lover of the social enterprise model, Makere Broadmore saw phone chains as the ‘perfect folly’, a potential source of revenue for publishing projects.
After six months of research and prototyping, Cantermelon launched with a resin and hand-beaded range of phone chains shipping from New Zealand to the world.
“Cantermelon is the ultimate expression of design and beauty – because I love everything to be practical, beautiful and serve a purpose. Plus, women often don’t have pockets,” she said.
Each design is inspired by a trailblazing female artist or writer, melding artistic whimsy with practicality. Every purchase supports artistic and literary endeavours in New Zealand. Phone cases are included with the purchase.
As a social enterprise, partnerships with artists and writers are part of the brand’s ethos. The first collaboration with Rowan Taigel, a Nelson-based poet, was a limited edition run of unique zines (handmade poetry books) that were included with Cantermelon purchases.
“Rowan’s zines are so quirky, unique and full of fun. We published Rowan in issue 1 of Folly, and we’ve been keeping in touch since then. Her zines fit perfectly inside a Cantermelon box. So not only do you have a gorgeous phone chain, but you’ll have two free hands to read the zine.”
Her favourite piece from the latest range is the Hilma. It is inspired by the Swedish artist Hilma af Klint, who created giant, mystic paintings.
“The play on this piece is about communing with nature, and allowing the natural stone to anchor you to earth. It’s all a bit tongue in cheek, but hopefully seen as a beautiful nod to Hilma.”
More fashion news here
