LIVE 24-SEVEN
As a designer, your eyes are always searching for inspiration; it is all around us. A huge influence for the House is nature – its fragility and strength, its organic forms and details, which allow it to be beautifully portrayed and preserved in an array of metals and gemstones. I feel that art, fashion, architecture and all elements of design feed each other into my designs. In particular I find the sentiment and romance in literature and poetry to be very inspiring. These ideas are reflected in our collections, combining traditional jewellery craftsmanship with avant-garde ideas to create jewellery which symbolises modern romance.
You've collaborated with some incredible houses from Boucheron to Daphne Guinness, is there added pressure when you are creating for another house more so than your own? I thoroughly enjoy the collaborative process, as this is where two disciplines come together to create the new. In this space there are more boundaries to break. Yes, there are more challenges, but what goes with that, is passion, drive and pure elation when together you have created something neither of your industries have seen before.
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When collaborating, are you given a free rein or a brief to work to and how do you approach commissions? When working on a collaboration, it is important both parties share the same values; those of exceptional design, superior craftsmanship and the ambition to create beautiful jewellery. I continue to collaborate with likeminded companies who are fearless to push the boundaries and fuse ideas from different industries to create the new. I feel it’s inspiring for both parties as it introduces new approaches to design and techniques.
Some of your pieces have been shown at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria & Albert – that's like a royal seal of approval. Did you ever think that your work would have such an impact and be so influential, so significant in its design? When I was an apprentice, I used to visit the V&A to study past masters’ works with great appreciation for their distinctive style and perfect representation of the design aesthetic of their era. I would be totally inspired to explore and evolve my own craft and design to become part of the same movement in the history of jewellery.
Your Talon and Hook earrings have been worn by the Duchess of Sussex and Cara Delevigne, already popular pieces, what is the impact on a collection when someone of Meghan’s popularity decides to wear them? The beautiful thing for me is that Meghan has recognised my signature style and she has three of my most iconic pieces; the Talon Earrings, Signature Tusk Bangle and a Serpent’s Trace bracelet. All of the pieces are elegant, chic, but with that edge of daring. I think she champions British independent brands, which has been lovely to see. The impact of her wearing our work has been unbelievable; we sold six months’ stock in just one month. I have dressed celebrities my whole career and you do see a spike in sales that lasts a short period, but when a royal wears your designs it has a worldwide response that has a ripple effect which lasts for a very long time.
How do you think your team would describe you – aside from a perfectionist!?
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
They would describe me as passionate, driven, open minded to explore new ways in design and craft, one who celebrates the creation of some beautiful and likes to share all these experiences with my team to make all our lives evolve and proud.
Anja has a wonderful reputation across the Midlands, she graces the back cover of the best magazine in the area – ours of course – do you carefully consider who can be a stockist of your work? What do you look for in partners to your brand? Yes, we carefully select our stockists, we really like to partner with stores who have vision, appreciation for innovative design and craft, who embrace our story and enjoy sharing this with their clients. Most of all they are kind genuine people who are lovely to work with, which I must say are Anja and her team.
When you reflect on your career, what are the standout moments for you? Seeing my creations hit the catwalk with Lee Alexander McQueen were always moments of pride and excitement. When we won our first award in 2004 for Jewellery Designer of the Year, this was a very proud moment for me and my team, to feel our vision was appreciated and admired. Winning International Jewellery Designer of the Year at the Andrea Palladio Awards in 2015 still continues to fill me with pride. Every time we create a piece that fulfils our vision and evolves the house further with the aspiration to always create the new and the beautiful, is always a landmark in my career.
How important are nights like tonight, here with a curated guest list of avid jewellery enthusiasts and a company representing your brand? These nights are extremely important, as we are like the untold story and a discovery for many people. Beautiful evenings like tonight are a great platform for me to tell my story and explain my concepts, visions and showcase how I have interpreted those visions into collections. For me it is also always good to meet the collectors of my work, to have great feedback on my designs to help inspire my next collections. Plus, it’s great fun!
You must always be thinking to the future – can you share any insights, any sneak peeks into your next collection? I’m always thinking about the future, as I’m already working on 2021 summer collection! There is always a beautiful reference to nature in my typical handwriting, but interestingly enough I have injected a bit of 1970’s glamour into one of the upcoming collections, which excites me as it takes me back to the glamour of my parents in my early childhood.
CE L EBRIT Y INTERVI EW SHAUN L EANE
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