I sat down with Australian Jewellery Designer Melissa Harris in her posh paddington boutique to learn about her business, the difference between LA and Sydney fashion markets, and her new collection.

1. What has been your inspiration for your new collection that you are launching?

Words have always inspired me especially the idea of words on jewellery. I love the written word and it is a trend that has been used more recently in fashion and in jewellery.

 

2. What type of jewellery is your favorite to design and what is your favorite to wear?

My favourite type of jewellery to design is this idea of the “perfect imperfection”. In my style of creativity and design, I strive to be organic. I try to create things that are appealing to the eye and that are more accidental than technical. Rings are my favourite to wear and jewellery that has sentimental value. The stone in the ring I am wearing is actually my grandmothers so it isn’t only beautiful, but precious to me in other ways as well.

 

3. If you had to give one piece of advice to all women about wearing jewellery, what would it be and why?

I would go with your initial instinct. Your first instinct is normally what is right for you. When buying or wearing jewellery, make sure to know the purpose of the piece. Whether dressy or more every day jewellery, save its purpose for what it was made for. In terms of buying jewellery, if you leave a store and fall in love with something, and you continue to think about it long after you have left the shop, go back and get it.

 

4. What is your favorite piece you designed for your new collection?

My favorite piece for this new collection would defiantly be the cuff. It’s quite raw and off the cuff (no pun intended). When I design, my best pieces are often not exactly planned. I often just START and I’ll create something completely unique. Many of my pieces are one of a kind.

 

5. How is the market for jewellery differnt here in Sydney compared to LA where you used to live?

The market is Sydney is much smaller and narrower. Designer jewellery is not as popular here. There are a lot of traditional jewellers here in Sydney, but not as many boutique style options. Having said that, the people who do buy designer jewellery love it and that is why I love my shop here in Paddington because it has been well received.

 

6. Who are some of you favorite jewellery designers?

My favorite jewellery designers are Ted Muehling from NYC Tom Binns from the UK. I’ve been fortunate as well to have people who have worked for me go on and create wonderful designs themselves that I love. I’ve been lucky to always be surrounded by wonderful jewellers. I’ve also known some outstanding designers Danielle Birrittella for EllaPoe, whose jewellery I now carry in my store.

 

7. Our own fashion editor for PDS has a knack for jewellery making herself. How can someone get in to the business?

If she has a feel and knack for it, she should go for it. If you have a love, you will learn. I believe that for certain things. When I started, I didn’t have formal training so I taught myself and I just enjoyed doing it. As my love grew, I sought out training in LA through Valerie Mitchell and others. Learning from others in areas that are not exactly my strengths helped me grow too.

 

8. This is your 21st year in the biz…what is the most important lesson you have learned in the past 21 years?

Trying to maintain your individuality is paramount. Having a voice in design and maintaining that point of difference is extremely important. I design in a niche market. That is how I want to be. I’m not interested in being everything for everybody. I often listen to people as they leave my store or as they pass my window and some will say, “ I love everything in that shop”.  I love that. They appreciate what I do and that is wonderful to hear as a designer.

 

1. Hoop Leaf Earrings

 

2. Black Spinel Ring

 

3. Love Cuff

 

4. Leaf Ring

 

5. Gold Bangles

 

6. Turquoise Ring

 

NOTE: The spelling of “jewellery” is the UK-Australian spelling. Sorry America.