Jessica De Lotz

KV - In a few words, tell us a little bit about yourself?

Photo & Words Kevin Voller

JDL - I am a narrative based jeweller, handcrafting pieces with sentiment and beholding a big heart.

KV - When did you start designing jewellery?

C - I did my foundation at St Martins in 2005 and specialised in jewellery design very quickly so ended up doing my degree there also. I knew it was the course for me! I loved the process of making something so small and intricate but with so much meaning and in my case, stories.

KV - What inspired you to start your own jewellery line?

C - My degree show seemed to interest a mix of people - some of which then became ‘ambassadors’ to my brand and really helped steer it to a good start. Thanks to art curator Janice Blackburn, my 1st exhibition was at Sotheby’s and 1st collaboration was with Smythson. Along this journey, I met other individuals who purchased my more collectable pieces and with this encouragement & little bit of financial backing now behind me, I really believed in my brand. I didn’t overly think about my business model or where i wanted to be in the next year or 5 years, I just ploughed on and worked very hard.

KV - What are your favourite materials to work with?

C - 18ct gold and also when I had a lathe, I really enjoying turning mock ivory. Polished up, it looks so like the real thing when all it is a resin. I use a type of liquid resin for my Red Relished Apples but this is messy and toxic so I avoid it. Especially now i’m pregnant!

KV - What message do you want to give through your collections?

C - There is usually a link to heritage (my use of wax seals are a playful nod to that), romance and also sentiment as mentioned above. I like to add personal engravings to the pieces, birth stones and small additional details that have meaning to their wearer. I want my items to be forever investments and items that will be passed down through family generations. Heirlooms of the future.

KV - Do you look to anyone in particular for inspiration?

C - Not really but now I have the shop and I can meet my customers face to face and as they customise their pieces to suit them, i’ve become more aware of what it is that is important to someone who wants to love and wear something forever. In turn, my customers inspire me.

KV - How does living in London inspire your collections?

C - The back bone of the inspiration behind my collections have been largely fuelled by curios (- letters, photographs, objects etc) that I have collected in car boots or most regularly Spitalfields Antique Market however, if i wasn’t based in London I would hunt these out elsewhere and no doubt i’d still be inspired.

KV - What has been the highlight of your career so far?

C - I was most proud when I open my shop in 2016. All my hard work had paid off and I was also able to use my savings to set it up. The shop is so much a part of my life now and I can’t imagine being without it.

KV - What is next for you?

C - I have just finished a short brand film with director, Darren Statman of which we are just about to launch and then, I’m due to give birth to a wee boy in 2 weeks so he’ll be melting my heart for the foreseeable future but fortunately the shop will still be open as usual.