The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2024 - Issue 35

Innovative and highly regarded jewellery designer Hattie Rickards impresses Cristina Lloyd with her enchanting Icons engagement ring collection. Icons A ccording to British jewellery designer Hattie Rickards, be- spoke is about stories and the relationship between the client and the designer. She connects to her clients by learning about them, hearing their stories and creating pieces they will cherish forever. “In the 20+ years I have been working as a jewellery de- signer, I have learnt my strength is my inquisitive nature. I can understand and read people’s personalities and values, allowing me to perfectly visualise a de- sign to suit their style.” Before becoming a bespoke jeweller, Hattie trained at Central Saint Martins, where she learned to structure her de- sign process and distil many inspira- tions into one design. “I’ve always loved jewellery, but it wasn’t until my founda- tion course at Wimbledon Art College and my BA Jewellery Design and Mak- ing degree at Central Saint Martins in London that I decided to make a career in the industry,” she told Gilded Butter- fly by Margaux Carel in 2011. The innovative creator honed her skills at Kara Ross NY, Francesca Amphithe- atroff, and kaleidoscopic maestro Sol- ange Azagury-Partridge, the latter of whom taught her that anything is pos- sible in jewellery design. Hattie set up her namesake brand in 2010, initially creating collections to be sold in stores like Dover Street Market before mak- ing bespoke pieces. “We want to create beautiful and desirable refined jewellery pieces that tell a story for or about the wearer.” Her clients’ comfort and trust in the pro- cess are essential to her. “The experience of creating a bespoke jewellery piece needs to be fun and collaborative every step of the way,” she explained. “I am privileged to have many repeat clients in my little black book. I am also hugely proud that nearly half of my commis- sions are referrals from other clients. I feel honoured that my clients place so much confidence in me that they would refer their friends and family.” She launched the ‘Revealed’ collection in early 2011, derived from 18-carat Fairtrade and Fairmined ecological cer- tified gold, which took inspiration from ‘movement’ using kinetic assemblies, rough uncut stones and vibrant pre- cious stones to comprise the twelve handmade rings. Hattie de- scribed her signature ‘Rubix’, a range of necklaces, rings, and bracelets handmade from the same ecological gold and precious stones, as something one can play with and distract oneself. “The inspiration for the col- lection is ‘connection’; the idea of many becoming one,” she revealed. “Visions of puzzles, tessellating shapes, combining geometrical structures and vibrant stones.” She also worked with MADE, a fair trade accessories brand in Kenya, where she was commissioned to design 70 pieces in ten days at the work- shop outside Nairobi. Initially thrown, the jewellery designer embraced the challenge after absorbing the creative atmosphere, the production speed, and the hardworking, enthusiastic team. Another collection, ‘Geo’, featured vi- brant and playful designs like the Flip Octo Ring and Pendant with revolv- ing central octagons set with precious stones. Her pieces are admired by ce- lebrities like Livia Firth and Poppy De- levingne, who are drawn to her fresh approach and the playful yet sophisti- cated creation vibe. She uses her design prowess and ability to infuse each piece with joy and connection, pushing the boundaries of contemporary jewellery design and blending artistry with ethi- cal practices. Hattie’s latest innovation is Icons, a se- ries of six iconic made-to-measure en- HATTIE RICKARDS Images courtesy of Honest PR bitejewellery