Our Laings Designers: Kirsty Berry

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE IDENTITY AS A DESIGNER? 

KB:I am always mesmerised by bright colours and bold shapes; I think this is why I am always drawn to coloured stones. I see myself in modern jewellery designs with a classic twist. I am definitely a bit of a magpie - anything sparkling catches my eye.

WHAT ART MOVEMENT/ARTISTS INSPIRE YOUR DESIGN?

KB: I love Art Deco, Modernism and Pop art, I find inspiration across a lot of different periods and try to reflect this in my work. 

THE COLLECTION IS GREATLY INSPIRED BY FLORAL MOTIFS FROM BOUQUETS TO PAISLEY PRINTS, DO YOU OFTEN FIND INSPIRATION FOR BESPOKE PIECES IN THE WORLD SURROUNDING YOU?

 KB I get inspired every day by nature and the world we live in. An idea can surprise me from anywhere, sometimes I can walk by a window display in a store and be influenced by the colours and shapes. 

COULD YOU SHARE INSIGHTS INTO THE DESIGN PROCESS FOR THE HERO OF BESPOKE COLLECTION? WHAT WERE THE KEY DESIGN ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDED YOUR CREATIVE DECISIONS?

KB: I always take inspiration from my surroundings, the artistry of those around me can always bring about new ideas for designs. These exact pieces came together when I first set my eyes on the unique lagoon tourmaline, the design really grew from there. Their beauty was mesmerising and really captured the spirit of the ocean.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE BESPOKE JEWELLERY HOLDS SUCH AN ALLURE? WHAT SETS IT APART FROM MORE CURATED JEWELLERY?

 KB: It’s all in the exclusivity and uniqueness. The design will reflect what the client loves and quite often each piece of jewellery tells a story, whether its a family heirloom that has been re-modelled or a special gemstone that has been chosen unique to the wearer. 

ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING TRENDS OR EMERGING DESIGN PHILOSOPHIES IN THE WORLD OF BESPOKE JEWELLERY THAT YOU ARE EXCITED TO EXPLORE IN YOUR WORK?

KB: I feel people are becoming more adventurous. More and more clients are interested in exploring coloured gemstones. What I’ve noticed is people really want to showcase their individuality. The power of social media has allowed people to see the trends happening elsewhere in the world, generating a whole new line of creativity for designers. 

HOW DO YOU WORK WITH CLIENTS TO HELP THEM REALISE THEIR VISION WHEN CREATING A BESPOKE PIECE? WHAT IS THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS LIKE?

KB: One of my favourite parts of the design process is the initial meeting with the client, researching new concepts and layering different ideas together to create a piece of jewellery - I love it when an idea starts to become reality. The most special moment is always when you create something the client loves. It is when they pick it up and put it on, that’s when it becomes a piece of jewellery for me. That’s when it becomes special.

 WHAT FEELINGS DO YOU WANT TO ENCAPSULATE IN YOUR DESIGNS?

KB: I always get excited, whether its re-modelling a family heirloom or sourcing beautiful gemstones, I love having that freedom to let my imagination run loose and create something that the client will love to wear. I hope that joy is translated into each piece I create.

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