SP - Since the launch of Katie Rowland's Jewellery in 2007, how has the business succeeded?
K.R - It has grown at a completely unexpected rate! last year was particularly busy, crazy! I have won several awards (Coutts New Designer Award, the Sonama-Cutrer Design Award and the Lonmin Design Innovation Award for Platinum) ,Worked with ON/OFF (promotion of new talent in association with LFW), and invited to show and sell at Jewellery Week, where i was amused at the amount of wealthy, glamorous women purchasing knuckledusters!
I have been approached by Agent Provocateur, have now collaborated and released a well received capsule collection with the company and then ontop of all that, I am now officially a proud member of The British Jewellers association!
S.P - Would you change any decisions that have been made towards the development of your business?
K.R - I would have definitely payed more attention to the marketing side of things, or even have hired some one to market the product/brand for me. Also I found the building of contacts and mingling is absolutely vital.
S.P- You have been up for many awards within the last two years, Which has been the most important for you?
K.R - All are pretty important and have equal meaning, however being approached by ON/OFF was a big spring board in launching the brand into the industry.
S.P When did your interest in Jewellery design begin?
K.R - I have always had an interest for jewellery ever since I inherited a box of costume jewellery when i was a child. Even at the age of 9, i would use to pair tracksuits and big blingy statement jewellery. I also remember seeing a magician on the tv as a child which became a huge inspiration for my later creations.
It eventually all fell together for my final project where i wanted to incorporate typography and fashion and so the concept of my unisex 'rotation rings' were born.
S.P - How would you describe your creations and own sense of style?
K.R - They reflect on my current personal relationships/emotion/events in life. I also believe that the are timeless and collectable, high fashion, playful, sensual, provocative and tongue 'n' cheek.
S.P - Where do you get your inspiration and influences from?
K.R - Self experiences and emotion. I believe it’s important to have an absorbent ‘sponge’ brain as inspiration is everywhere, on the bus etc, anywhere!
S.P- What types of materials do you use in your Jewellery collections?
K.R - I Like to use experimental metals and source stones from India. I also work with Ethical concerns so all the production is based in the U.K.
S.P - How long does it take on average to create one of your pieces?
K.R - Can vary. A couple of months on average, but not all designs for a collection are taken all the way through to production.
S.P - How does it feel to see celebrities wearing your creations?
K.R - It’s so crazy! I’m like ahhh I designed that! Just the other day I was watching Johnathon Ross and Paloma Faith was performing and I spotted one of my bracelets. Got straight on the phone to my mum! Also was on the bus earlier and spotted someone wearing a piece of my jewellery, that was just as exciting!
S.P - Whats your advice for anyone wanting to get into this field of the industry?
K.R - GO FOR IT! Make sure you work manage areas of PR and marketing well as this is vital in making you brand grow. Seek out ways of support and willing mentors.Apply for as many internships as possible, experience is key!
Concentrate on designing beautifully and with innovation.
S.P - If there was anything in the British jewellery design industry that you could change what would it be?
K.R - People are reluctant to embrace CAD and are slow to recognise new concepts, which can make it hard for new designers to breakthrough. I also think that Designers should collaborate more.
S.P - Where do you sell your jewellery other than, www.katie-rowland.com?
K.R - Catwalk genius.com
· Johnny Rocket
· Selfridges pop up store
· Machine A (new concept store )
In 3 years time Katie would like to have seen her brand grow, be involved in more collaborations and be working with a big Fashion House (ultimate goal). Hopes to bring out a feminine mens range!
I had a from Cheryl Coles stylist requesting to use her jewellery! (Other Celeb fans include Paloma Faith (recently seen wearing Katie Rowland on Jonathon Ross, much to her surprise) Dannie Minogue, Tali Lennox, Noel Fielding and Daisy Lowe.)
S.P - Would you change any decisions that have been made towards the development of your business?
K.R - I would have definitely payed more attention to the marketing side of things, or even have hired some one to market the product/brand for me. Also I found the building of contacts and mingling is absolutely vital.
S.P- You have been up for many awards within the last two years, Which has been the most important for you?
K.R - All are pretty important and have equal meaning, however being approached by ON/OFF was a big spring board in launching the brand into the industry.
S.P When did your interest in Jewellery design begin?
K.R - I have always had an interest for jewellery ever since I inherited a box of costume jewellery when i was a child. Even at the age of 9, i would use to pair tracksuits and big blingy statement jewellery. I also remember seeing a magician on the tv as a child which became a huge inspiration for my later creations.
You wouldn't have thought that I was originally interested and trained at degree level in Graphic Design as I thought a career in Typography would have been more my thing!
S.P - How would you describe your creations and own sense of style?
K.R - They reflect on my current personal relationships/emotion/events in life. I also believe that the are timeless and collectable, high fashion, playful, sensual, provocative and tongue 'n' cheek.
S.P - Where do you get your inspiration and influences from?
K.R - Self experiences and emotion. I believe it’s important to have an absorbent ‘sponge’ brain as inspiration is everywhere, on the bus etc, anywhere!
S.P- What types of materials do you use in your Jewellery collections?
K.R - I Like to use experimental metals and source stones from India. I also work with Ethical concerns so all the production is based in the U.K.
S.P - How long does it take on average to create one of your pieces?
K.R - Can vary. A couple of months on average, but not all designs for a collection are taken all the way through to production.
S.P - How does it feel to see celebrities wearing your creations?
K.R - It’s so crazy! I’m like ahhh I designed that! Just the other day I was watching Johnathon Ross and Paloma Faith was performing and I spotted one of my bracelets. Got straight on the phone to my mum! Also was on the bus earlier and spotted someone wearing a piece of my jewellery, that was just as exciting!
S.P - Whats your advice for anyone wanting to get into this field of the industry?
K.R - GO FOR IT! Make sure you work manage areas of PR and marketing well as this is vital in making you brand grow. Seek out ways of support and willing mentors.Apply for as many internships as possible, experience is key!
Concentrate on designing beautifully and with innovation.
S.P - If there was anything in the British jewellery design industry that you could change what would it be?
K.R - People are reluctant to embrace CAD and are slow to recognise new concepts, which can make it hard for new designers to breakthrough. I also think that Designers should collaborate more.
S.P - Where do you sell your jewellery other than, www.katie-rowland.com?
K.R - Catwalk genius.com
· Johnny Rocket
· Selfridges pop up store
· Machine A (new concept store )
In 3 years time Katie would like to have seen her brand grow, be involved in more collaborations and be working with a big Fashion House (ultimate goal). Hopes to bring out a feminine mens range!
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