Q&A with Monarc Jewellery

Our latest jewellery designer, Monarc Jewellery, have something very unique going on. We sat down with Ella to dig a bit deeper about what the brand is all about.

The Shelter (S): Can you tell us about how Monarc Jewellery came to be and what inspired you to start a sustainable jewellery brand?

Monarc Jewellery (M): I started Monarc Jewellery & Concierge in November 2016 as a brand that would follow my own aesthetic and morals. Monarc Jewellery was born out of the desire to present intelligent, sustainable design at reasonable and honest prices to the retail jewellery market. Monarc Jewellery acts as a memento to expresses love, relationships, families, and life’s precious moments that deserve to be marked, and through our timeless designs, Monarc can be worn now and passed on to future generations.

Monarc Jewellery is the ready-to-wear side of my business, the ‘concierge’ element of the brand offers a bespoke service that caters to those looking for something more elaborate or one of a kind, such as a sentimental engagement ring or a heartfelt future heirloom.

Monarc, and I personally, have a steadfast commitment to sustainability - this was inspired by me wanting to revolt against the procurement of materials and production processes that many mainstream brands follow. It’s of upmost importance to me that Monarc’s jewellery goes into the world with a clean conscience so that the wearer can feel wonderful about the jewellery that becomes a part of their life.

S: You completed your studied in Florence, do you think living and studying in such a romantic city influenced your design style?

M: Yes, for sure. I lived and worked in Italy for 4 years and observed and admired the artisanal gold smithing in Florence, later I went on to study at GIA there [Gemology Institute of America, Florence campus]. Monarc’s Coppola Collection is heavily influenced by traditional jewellery making techniques, and I wanted to stay true to age-old jewellery and rope making processes rather than replicating the look using CAD or new technology.

S: What do you think makes Monarc Jewellery unique in the industry?

M: By being a pioneer of using aboveground diamonds in our fine jewellery collections and through our steadfast commitment to sustainability. There is a lot of greenwashing flying around the industry now that “sustainability” is a hot keyword in marketing and advertising, a lot of it is just lip service though. Monarc urges consumers to delve deeper into what they’re buying.

Monarc aims to be fully transparent about the ways in which we’re sustainable and ethical, through discussing how we select our materials and all along our production operations, so that the consumer can be included in this information and make educated choices for themselves.

S: As a designer, where do you draw your inspiration from?

M: Architecture, culture, history, and even the smallest things or actions witnessed in everyday life.

S: What is your favourite piece you’ve ever created and why?

M: The Heirloom Ring; it’s tactile, fine, versatile and generates the most compliments out of anything I wear. I have been wearing a personal sample of the Heirloom Ring for 3 years and friends have always asked when it will be available to buy. After lots of umming and ahhing, I have now included my favourite Heirloom design as part of the new Liberté Collection.

S: How would you describe the Monarc Jewellery woman, and who would you most like to see wearing your jewellery?

M: I think every woman has a bit of dichotomy to her being; a desire to feel strong and intelligent, but also to feel love and a sense of softness. I try to design jewellery with this in mind. I envisage a wide range of women wearing Monarc Jewellery, and I want to design items that are timeless.

I love to see strong women wearing Monarc Jewellery. If I have to name names, it would be exciting to have Cameron Russell (model and activist) in some Monarc designs, or the uber stylist Yasmin Sewell. I trust they would both look incredible!

S: Can you tell us what your best-selling pieces are?

1. Anna Mini Huggies Hoops, they’re just the best everyday piece that you can build up across multiple ear piercings
2. Suitor Chain
3. Little Chubbies Hoops
4. The Puzzle Ring
5. Variations of the Reine Trilogy Ring from our Aboveground Diamond Commitment Collection (lots of our bespoke clients use this design as a springboard for us to build something that is tailored to their exact taste, size preference and budget).

S: Do you have a most treasured item in your personal jewellery collection?

M: A precious locket that my grandparents gave to me when I moved with my mother and sister to Australia at age 8. My sister chewed this silver locket and it has the indent of her bite. I was so mad at the time that she had defaced my pendant that symbolised so much to me as an eight year-old. Looking back, it makes me laugh and remember this point in time so vividly.

S: Tell us about your collection with Renee Stewart, how did you meet and what led you to work on a jewellery range together?

M: Our collaboration began in 2018 when we met through a mutual friend in London (thanks Gini Earl), proceeding to develop our collection over many sessions together at my Old Street studio.

It was Renee's dance career that influenced and drove our work together. It soon became clear that the meeting point for us lay in the movement and form inherent in both of our creative outlets. Applying these to our sessions, we designed pieces that capture fluidity and dynamism, of poise and a restless spirit.

Right from the start of this collaboration, we both felt it was hugely important that our pieces transcend age and gender, ensuring that our designs can be worn and treasured by many, and styled in countless ways.

S: How does it feel when you see someone on the street wearing one of your designs?

M: It’s so much fun for me to see how Monarc designs are styled by our customers and friends. Monarc’s clientele is so diverse and our designs so versatile that it means a person can really wear the jewellery, rather than having the jewellery wear them.

S: What’s next for Monarc Jewellery?

M: Lots! We’re at a really busy stage at year 3 in business. I love being able to leverage from our two bases in London, UK and Mount Maunganui, NZ. Monarc has new project launching in late July that I feel very invested in and proud of. This new project takes our approach to sustainability to an even higher level. I’m excited!

S: Where can we find you on social media?

@monarc_jewellery