Tell us a bit about Louise Douglas and what prompted you to go into jewellery design and manufacture.
I have always been fascinated with jewellery; my mum andgrandmother both loved jewellery and I was always sifting through their treasures when I was little. I started making jewellery at 18 years old selling it to fashion and design stores throughout New Zealand. I moved to New York City when I was 21, where I worked as a designer for large fashion jewellery houses. In my spare time I would work on developing my collections. The first moment when someone bought a piece of my jewellery in a store I realized that jewellery is what I wanted to do. I love the sentimentality associated with jewellery, it has the power to hold memories of love and connection for many people.
What do you love about living and working from Nelson?
There’s something pure and magical about Nelson. The ocean and mountains are especially stunning. My sunny boutique has a beautiful natural outlook and people love visiting a working studio and meeting the makers. Nelson has been a great place to establish my jewellery practice, it has a very creative and supportive local community.
Who/what inspires your collections?
I am inspired by the intricacies of the ocean and the natural world in general. I also love art and fashion, drawing influence from Victorian and art nouveau jewellery, with my own modern twist. I enjoy the untraditional beauty in nature too, such as erosion and decay, encouraging the viewer to appreciate nature’s subtle imperfections.
Your aesthetic, summed up in five words?
Organic, handmade, nature-inspired, feminine and romantic.
Describe the people who wear your jewellery.
I sell my work all kinds of women and also to many men buying for the special women in their lives. I create a varied collection from small delicate pieces for a more conservative client to bolder pieces for a women who wants to stand out. I find women and men who buy my jewellery like that it’s unique, keepsake and NZ made. My jewellery tends to relate to a free and organic sensibility, but it also has a femininity that speaks to a woman’s desire to look and feel beautiful.
Your most popular piece right now?
Our Honey Bee Necklace closely followed by our new Dragonfly Necklace.
Your most popular piece ever?
Hands down our Gold Lace Disc Necklace, people also love our LuLu pearl studs.
What’s in store for 2019?
We are working on a unique, mix and match wedding ring collection. I want to bring something less traditional in an accessible price range to the market. So stay tuned!
Anything else you would like Verve readers to know?
I love sending my little creations out into the world. When I see my work displayed in a shop cabinet or being worn by a happy customer, it gives me a real sense of satisfaction. It makes all the hard work worth it!
Auckland Stockists
- Tessuti: 224 Jervois Rd, Ponsonby
- The Vault 101: Chancery Square, Auckland, 9 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna
- Wallace Arts Trust: 72 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough
- Auckland War Memorial Museum: The Auckland Domain, Parnell
- Auckland Art Gallery Shop: Cnr of Kitchener & Wellesley St
Louise Douglas
117 Nile Street, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
03 970 0232 | louisedouglas.com
