Emma Hadley Jewellery was founded in 2009 by Emma Hadley with the vision to create stunning, unique, and timeless jewellery, with a personal touch not found on the high street.
Following a career in fashion, Emma fell in love with the art of Precious Metal Clay at the London Jewellery School, and was inspired to combine her passion for style and design with her creative flair, to create the EHJ brand.
Since then she has developed a distinctive style specialising in pure fine silver, with semi-precious gemstones and freshwater pearls. The range offers contemporary, personalised and bespoke designs. Emma will be exhibiting her unique designs at the A La Mode International Show during London Fashion Week in February 2010. We caught up with the designer herself to find out more about this exciting new brand!
What inspired you to launch your own jewellery brand?
EH - I had the perfect opportunity to try my hand at something new when I got made redundant at the height of the recession. I've always loved jewellery and I'm very creative so courses in jewellery making seemed so natural to me. I fell in love with it immediately and I realised that this could be my future after such a positive reaction to my designs from friends and family.
Where does the inspiration for your designs come from?
EH - I love the intricate beauty in nature and I aim to capture the mix of delicate details combined with strong, clean silhouettes. I'm also a sentimentalist and I adore the notion of jewellery becoming an extension of your personality, I'm drawn to symbols of love, luck and harmony. I want my customers to have a connection with my jewellery and the Cherished collection gives a truly personal and special touch, all designs are inspired by my own loved ones
What materials do you enjoy working with?
EH - I specialise in the art of Precious Metal Clay which produces 99.9% fine silver. This medium allows a fantastic level of creativity for my charms and pendants, and I combine them with sterling silver to enhance the strength and durability of each piece. I am also drawn to the amazing colours, patterns and unique shapes of semi-precious gemstones, and I use them as either the feature of or compliment to my designs. This has led me to discover the different properties of each gemstone and I often tie this in to my designs, this extra bit of info helps make the jewellery special to my customers.
How would you describe the person who buys your pieces?
EH- my customers are all men or women looking for something different and special, often for a loved one. All ages have bought my jewellery but the core customer is 20-35, fashion conscious women.
What would you consider to be your highlights so far?
EH - Being stocked in the beautiful jewellery boutique 'Plush Jewellery' only 6 months after learning to make jewellery, as well as getting recognition as an emerging designer by being approached for interviews and events. Also the little things, like heartfelt thanks from delighted customers, can be a big highlight of my day.
Do you feel that your fashion buying background has helped contribute to your success?
EH - My experience as a fashion buyer has given me an enormous advantage I couldn't do without. Knowledge of trend interpretation, sales, pricing, marketing, e-commerce, and how to create a commercial range, is often missing in pure design backgrounds. The level of hard work and commitment you need to be a Buyer is also a great foundation for starting your own business!
If you could choose any celebrity in the world to wear your Jewellery who would you select and why?
EH - Kate Moss has always been a favourite style icon of mine and she is of course hugely influential on a global scale. I also love the music and style of Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine so seeing her in my jewellery would be a fab compliment.
What are you most looking forward to about the 'A La Mode' show, and how are you preparing for the big night?
EH - I'm most excited about showcasing my brand to press, buyers and fashionistas alike, and I'm also really looking forward to seeing other new designers. I've been working on exciting new additions to my collection and I've just had a fantastic photo shoot.
In five years time where do you hope to be, what would you hoped to have achieved and developed through designing?
EH - I would like to become a recognised brand in independent jewellery design with more carefully selected stockists throughout the UK.
How and where can we purchase your jewellery pieces?
EH - All my jewellery is available to purchase on my own website http://emmahadleyjewellery.com. Selections of the range are also available on other websites; Glimpse Online, Not Mass Produced, and Coriandr. And on the high street 'Plush Jewellery' in Chichester.
When you're not designing jewellery you're
EH - Apart from the mountain of other work that comes with your own business.
Working from home means a dog fits in well to mine and my husbands life, and my four legged shadow is never far, daily walks through the woods is good for brainstorming! I meet up with friends whenever I can, often going in to London for drinks, and catching up on what's in my favourite shops at the same time! I'm also really close to my family and I'm especially lucky to spend time with my older sister and baby niece once a week.
Website: www.emmahadleyjewellery.com
