Your jewellery is worn by a lot of celebrities – would you mind naming a few?
A lot of actresses wear my pieces including Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Kate Beckinsale to name a few. Quite recently I created a necklace for Kate Winslet as a present for her husband. She was in her dressing room on a shoot for Vogue magazine when we came up with the idea.
I also made an ankle chain for Joss Stone’s 21st birthday and recently made a bracelet for Cheryl Cole. Naomi Campbell and Jodie Kidd have worn my more extravagant pieces on the catwalk for some big fashion shows. Colin Firth and Mena Suvari wore my rings in a movie they starred in together. I just made the wedding rings for Colin Firth’s brother-in-law and was honoured to be invited to their gorgeous wedding in Umbria. As a family friend of the bride, it was so fantastic to see so many of the guests wearing my jewellery too.
We love how your jewellery has a magical, other-worldly quality. Do you have other lands floating around in your head?
I’m a very visual person, so I’m always looking at things that pique my interest and start the creative juices flowing. My eyes are always searching for the beauty in everything, whereas my brain is working on how I can interpret something meaningful into my designs. I’m reading Eckhart Tolle at the moment, which is quite intense. However, it gives me the opportunity to investigate my own level of spirituality in relation to how and why I create my jewellery. The idea of legacy and meaning is incredibly important and very central to my work, along with the link between past and present.
You designed and made the iconic Algerian Love Knot necklace, central to the plot of the Bond film Casino Royale – how did that come about?
The collaboration happened because the legendary and award-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming knew of my work. I’d designed beautiful wrist cuffs and earrings for her daughter’s wedding and Lindy thought that my fusion of ancient and modern would suit my style of design perfectly. I received an email three days before Christmas in 2005 and the only brief I had was that it had to be designed to include four interconnecting rings (as a symbol of eternal love). I locked myself in my studio and began sketching.
The necklace was worn by Vesper Lynd throughout the movie, making it one of the most covetable pieces of jewellery to appear in a Bond movie to date. An Algerian Loveknot didn’t exist until I designed it and I had no idea how integral it was going to be to the storyline. It was a highly enjoyable project, but very hard work as I had to make 10 versions of the necklace for Casino Royale and 10 for the follow-up movie Quantum of Solace. I also made earrings for Casino Royale to be worn with the necklace. It was an absolute honour to be involved in a James Bond film, and of course the association got us a lot of global attention. The piece has been phenomenally successful for us and key to accelerating our growth internationally. We are still inundated with orders from customers around the world.
What or who would you say inspires you most?
I’ve always been inspired by ancient artefacts and ancient symbolism in museums and galleries and how these wonderful objects carry stories from past to present. The Museum of Mankind which was next to Burlington Arcade was a big inspiration, but unfortunately it closed in 2004. It was filled with ancient objects – everything from Eskimo tools to prehistoric weaving combs and jewels for Roman mistresses. I love objects with a human element as I see them as a time travelling container for emotional energy.
I’m a regular visitor at the British Museum and the V&A and wherever I am in the world I’m continually inspired by the culture that surrounds me.
My bespoke commission work is where I excel. I’m inspired by the stories my clients tell me as this forms the symbolic narrative embodied within the final design of jewellery. This includes the materials. For example, I can incorporate birthstones, symbols, family gems or inscriptions into a piece, which will hold such sentimental value to the client.
Do you have a style icon?
I love Vivienne Westwood as her British eccentricity appeals to me. I love her collision of the old and the new, urban beauty meets wild and wanton Rococco goddess, and I like to think that my jewellery would reflect that too.
Who do you admire most in the creative world?
Frida Kahlo is just one of many. I went to see her house in Mexico 25 years ago and I admire how she channelled her pain into such beautiful works of art.
What are your ambitions?
To continue running a thriving business with my incredibly loyal team.
Although I’d love to take on more private commissions as the personal one-to-one client contact is what I absolutely enjoy the most, it will always be important to me to keep the business niche and retain its authenticity.
Oh, and a small house in the Balearics would also be lovely!
What has been your proudest moment to date?
Getting into the Royal College to do my MA all those years ago was such a life defining moment for me as it set me on the career journey I’m still on.
Also winning Jewellery Designer of the Year at The Natural History Museum last year was wonderful for me, my family and my team.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Ideally in bed with my husband, in a remote hilltop villa somewhere in the Mediterranean.
What are you most passionate about (other than creating fabulous jewellery)?
My husband and my daughter are my most prized passions. One of my favourite things is hanging out around my fire pit with good friends and copious amounts of good wine!
I love going to my alma mater The Royal College of Art when the MA degree shows are on to buy pieces from young up-and-coming artists. Supporting emerging artists is something I really believe in. I once bought a portrait by Angela Reilly, who went onto become a BP award-winning artist who now has work in The National Portrait Gallery.
Where do you like to shop in west London?
Sub-couture on Kensington Park Road is my favourite place to pick up really funky and well-priced clothes and the staff are lovely. On shopping trips I usually come out with something fabulous! I also have a weakness for Dyptique and Aubard on Westbourne Grove, and we do staff treats at the Cowshed spa in Clarendon Cross.
Do you have a favourite restaurant or watering hole in west London?
E&O (or A & E as I call it after a few too many lychee martinis) on Blenheim Crescent; Crazy Homies is great for a margherita and a good night out; and Bush Hall Dining Rooms for great music and food. The Princess Victoria pub on Uxbridge Road is my local and Ottolenghi cakes are our Friday treat. The studio is our idea of girl heaven as we have pink velvet sofas, a Penhaligon perfume bar and a fridge full of Champagne!
Do you have a life motto?
‘Make hay while the sun shines.’
