Lydia-Jane Saunders is a Sydneysider born and bred, who combines a career as a stylish with designing her eponymous label Lydia Jewels.
Her jewellery is a big favourite of Jessica Mauboy and other Australian celebs, and she topped off a fantastic 12 months by winning ‘Best Accessories Designer’ in the 2Threads Australian Fashion Awards this month.
Visit: www.lydiajewels.com
B&L: How did you get started?
Lydia: I never intended to be a jewellery designer to be honest, but am glad that I chose it as my career path! I completed a media degree and was interning at Marie Claire magazine where I fell in love with the job of a stylist.
This then became my dream. I left Marie Claire to work at Instyle Magazine as Fashion Assistant. It was here that I made a necklace for myself to wear and we shot it for the magazine.
I then got a call from a boutique that wanted to see my collection. I stayed up all night putting together what I now regard as a very embarrassing little collection. They ordered every piece and Lydia Jewels was born. I still work in styling as well as jewellery design.
B&L: What is your design process?
Lydia: I don't have a formula as such. I come up with ideas all the time and get impatient waiting to put them into a collection (which is why Lydia Jewels has many micro collections as well as the two main collections a year).
I don't draw my designs, I just start to make and it seems to develop as I go.
B&L: How would you describe your collection?
Lydia: All my collections are very bright and colourful, this one is a little darker whilst still having colour. I have used a lot of black in Jewel of the Night.
I have recently been to Thailand on holiday and chose to use very Thai colours – ruby reds, yellow, green, blue and gold. I wanted Jewel of the Night to have a real royal feel.
Although it’s a new direction for me, I’ve included a few classic Lydia pieces – namely the crystal flower earrings which feature in all my collections and are a big hit with my regular clients. And of course all the pieces are named after the lovely ladies in my life!
(Lydia Jewels ‘Bella’ gold leaf-jewel earrings RRP: $80)
B&L: What should women look for when choosing the right jewellery piece for them?
Lydia: There are no rules. Simply buy what you love. I am not a believer that some people are gold people and some are silver. I often mix and match. Jewellery is so transeasonal that we can wear our favourite pieces all year round.
B&L: What has been the biggest challenge in getting your name out there?
Lydia: Women in Australia like to buy names/designers they recognise and this is something Lydia Jewels had to overcome.
We had to focus on getting good press and letting people know about us. Since winning the 2threads award for Best Accessories earlier this year, our name is most definitely more recognised now.
B&L: Who is the girl behind the brand?
Lydia: Strong, passionate, colourful and feminine. I am very much a girly girl.
B&L: How would you describe Sydney fashion?
Lydia: It is developing. After I returned from living in London where people really embrace their own style I noticed a lot of Sydney girls looked the same.
That is changing and people are adopting their own individual looks. From a stylist's point of view I am very excited about this. There is nothing worse than sheep.
B&L: Where do you get your inspiration?
Lydia: From all over. Holidays, day trips, friends, films. Mainly I create pieces that I would wear. If I wouldn't like to wear it, I won't make it.
B&L: What makes your pieces different?
Lydia: They are handmade by myself and my assistant Nicole. A lot of well known Australian jewellery designers have their pieces made overseas.
We pride ourselves on the fact we don't do that. Our customers appreciate that a lot of time, effort and care has been made.
B&L: What's next for Lydia Jewels?
Lydia: I would like to see Lydia Jewels stocked in more boutiques nationally and internationally. I would also love to see it being worn by more celebrities and every day people.
B&L: Where can we buy your collection?
Lydia: From selected boutiques in NSW, VIC, QLD. Also in London. But www.lydiajewels.com stocks every piece and is made to order.
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