Designer Georgie Caldwell from LNO Jewellery. Image supplied.
Georgie Caldwell is the designer and founder of LNO Jewellery, a brand that was created for the concious consumer. Georgie founded the jewellery label as a way to help children in need that she met on a trip to Peru in 2013, and it enables her to utilise her artistic talents for a good cause.
We caught up with Georgie to find out more about her brand, what inspires her and what you would never catch her wearing!
Tell us about your latest collection?
The Tesoros Del Mar Collection was inspired by my love of the sea. Growing up in NZ, the sea has always been my source of peace and creative energy. So, the Tesoros Del Mar Collection is my way of honoring Aotearoa and its beautiful, rugged beaches.
The collection combines the lustre of freshwater pearls, with the stony, smoothness of sculpted silver and gold. It also draws on my childhood imagination of buried treasure and what this might look like.
What made you become a designer?
My journey to becoming a designer was not a conventional path. I started LNO as a result of my volunteer experience at a boys orphanage in South America, Peru in 2013. I was so moved by my experience there that I devoted myself to the idea of creating a sustainable way to give back to these children in need.
Whilst over in Peru, I was inspired by all the side-walk jewellery stalls and markets. Art, fashion and design had always been a passion of mine, so it didn’t take long before the idea of creating a jewellery social enterprise business became my obsession.
When I got back to NZ, I spent a year being tutored by an exceptional, traditional jeweller, and before long, I had developed the rudimentary foundations of LNO. With each LNO Jewellery purchase, ten percent of the purchase price goes back to support two orphanages in South America, Peru.
What inspires you?
Life around me and my experiences are my inspiration. I would like to say that there is a complex and intricate process around my creativity but it is really quite the opposite! It’s as simple as, an idea inspires me and I just have to do it. So there is no real pattern or recurring theme. All of my collections to date reflect this – they are all very different.
Jewellery pieces by LNO Jewellery.
Describe your personal style and how it influences your designs?
My personal style is modern, classic and minimal. I have been told many times by my friends and family that my jewellery is ”so you’’. As a designer, I think you instinctively design things that you know you would love to wear. So, by default, my designs must end up being influenced by my personal style.
What is your all -time favourite purchase?
My all time favourite purchase would my ‘boyfriend’ style blue shirt. I love it because I feel as though I get sooo much wear out of it. I wear it in the summer with white denim shorts or throughout the winter tucked into jeans. It’s really gone through the miles that shirt!
What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?
A good quality shirt. Absolutely.
Do you have a style rule you always obey?
I think minimal, classic, quality pieces is my style rule. When you have a minimal outfit, there is always room for a killer pair of earrings too – which is what I’m all about!
Jewellery pieces by LNO Jewellery.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
The highlight of my career so far has been getting the opportunity to talk with amazing NZ designers, that I have always looked up to.
What can’t you live without?
I can’t live without my signet ring that my mother gave me for my 21st birthday.
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
A beanie – I wish I could pull them off, but I just don’t.
Images supplied.