Please tell us about how you came to be a jeweller? Where did you learn about gemstones and did you work at other jewellers before setting up on your own?
Growing up in Australia, I went to Frensham School in a beautiful part of New South Wales. It was a boarding school founded by two English ladies in the 1920s. They were very creative suffragette ladies and the main focus was on the arts and music.They were very ahead of their time and even now the school reflects their vision.You could choose from a huge variety of subjects such as jewellery, furniture making, pottery and weaving.There was a foundation connected to the school where artists would come to live in cottages and teach at the school.So I started making jewellery at 14, experimenting with silver and bronze and I made little boxes. After school, I did a jewellery apprenticeship for 3 years, learning how to make a piece of jewellery from scratch. (I don’t make any of it myself anymore though. In my workshop in Hamburg I have two wonderful traditionally trained goldsmiths and we make everything there by hand with a focus on quality).Simultaneously I started loving stones during my apprenticeship as I was asked to choose and buy all the stones for the business.
Then aged 24, I went to do a stage at Chaumet through a friend of my mother’s and I lived in Paris for 6 months. It really opened up everything for me in terms of craftsmanship, working in such a beautiful building in Place Vendome, with these amazing archives which were so inspirational. In my lunch break, I’d look at JAR, at his shoebox of a window and I had friends who worked at Cartier and Dinh Van. I found a creative community. Afterwards I went back to London where a friend wanted to open up a vintage watch and jewellery shop. It was on Westbourne Grove and I was selling to all the locals. Then I met my husband, moved to Hamburg and downscaled, although I always kept my hand in doing commissions. In 2016, my 3 boys were older and I decided to ramp things up again. Now, I have clients all over the world, from Australia to Europe.
Which are the most popular pieces in your collection?
When Alex Eagle had her first child Jack in 2016, she commissioned me to do a necklace for her with Jack’s name in my art deco diamond letters which she was selling in her Soho store in London. Then for Coco, her second child, she wanted a charm bracelet with little things that were meaningful for her. Then we thought wouldn’t it be fun to do charms for the shop so we collaborated. Clients then commissioned from what we had in the shop or bespoke. They have been really successful and I’ve had some crazy commissions – from books for a book club to one girl in Paris who wanted a record and a wave. I also love working with Salt and Pepper diamonds which I use in my chain rings, curb chain chokers and the wrap bracelet, which is one of my personal favourites for everyday understatement. I adore Sleeping Beauty Turquoise for summer or winter, which I feature in my playful bobble rope rings.
A daisy charm bracelet from Sophie Keegan.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
I’m definitely influenced by my mother, My father loved to give my mother jewellery, including quite a few Bulgari pieces with white and yellow gold together. She used to wear a lot of jewellery, often everyday. I feel the same – I have 3 kids and I want something that is understated but still precious. I love a simple shape but with something a bit more decorated thrown in, such as a beautifully coloured gemstone. I’m also influenced by travel, art, nature and colour. In 2019, I went on a trip with my husband to Venice and he is a great photographer. He took this picture of these cut outs in the gothic architecture at Palazzo Franchetti and from there, I got the idea of my venice rings (below left) and the sapphire and diamond ‘Murano’ earrings ( below right) which were inspired by the beautiful coloured glass chandeliers.
Where to you stay, eat and shop in London?
During my 20s I lived in Notting Hill and I still have an apartment there. I love the markets, the top of Goldborne Road and going second hand shopping (I have a big collection of vintage YSL). It really has a village atmosphere. I also love going to Granger & Co – it feels like I’m back in Sydney again. Now that I’m a bit older, I also love Mayfair and the beautiful buildings. I like to stay at The Connaught Hotel. It’s very discreet with great service. I love being surrounded by those brilliant art galleries too. I go to Phillips, then walk through Cork Street to visit Alex Eagle’s shop in Soho and the tailors on Saville Row. I love going to the Curzon Cinema and I just became a member of Maison Estelle (a private club) off Bond Street. I shop at Gabriella Hearst, particularly for her sustainable knitwear and also The Row. To eat, I love to have a coffee at Marchesi 1824 (below), the Italian patisserie opposite The Connaught and up the top of Matches Fashion on Carlos Place is a nice cafe, it is very quiet. My husband loves Wiltons which reminds me of my Dad as he used to go there.
Which are your favourite Instagram accounts?
Instagram – I love accounts that give you a cross section of travel, food, fashion, interiors and especially gardening. I am an avid gardener like my mother and I find being in the garden is a huge inspiration. So I like accounts such as @FT How to Spend It, @T Magazine and of course @ALittleBird!
I also follow my pilates teacher Amy @FlatIronPilates who is amazing.
For travel and food particularly, I like @David Prior, @Florence Knight and @Skye Gyngell.
Sophie in her garden in Hamburg.
What advice would you give to somebody looking to buy some jewellery for their partner?
Leave it up to me! I have two guys at the moment who are buying in secret from their wives. One of them knows that she loves the turquoise ring. The other girl, her grandmother left her some opals. She asked me to make a necklace but her husband then came to me to add something else in too. In terms of somebody buying something for their partner, I would go with something classic – a pair of earrings, necklace and bracelet. Rings are more difficult. You can’t go wrong with a beautiful pair of diamond studs for example. Between the husband and I, we usually get it right. I have never had anybody come back who wasn’t happy with their gift.
Which piece of jewellery do you treasure the most?
I love my engagement ring. When my husband first came to Australia, we went on a trip to see the Argyle mine and we bought an oval diamond. I had it set extremely simply. I can wear it all the time. I love that we bought it together. I also have a beautiful Cartier watch that my husband gave me for my 40th birthday, part of the Panther collection, it’s like a cuff and it’s very precious to me.
A Little Bird Loves
