A recent addition to the Broken English roster, designer Lucy Delius lets us into her world and into her thoughts on her brand’s relationship to sustainability in this candid interview. Read the full blog post below and discover the newest pieces from the designer now online and in store.
Sustainable practices are part of the brand's core values, why was this so important to you when starting your line?
There was never any doubt in my mind that this brand would be built on the highest ethical pillars that I possibly could. To me that meant working with the best workshops across the globe, all of them certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council. It wasn't easy finding these partners but that extra effort means that as the business grows we know we are constantly striving to do the best we can in this area.
What makes you most proud about aligning your ethical and aesthetic values as a jewelry designer?
To do the extra work and to make the stand against below par standards means that we never have to compromise on how we make our jewelry or the techniques that we employ to make our jewels. We work with the best and they help me to create the best pieces I can. If we are aligned with how we treat people and the planet then we are already halfway there.
Tell us more about what sustainable non-negotiables you put in place when first designing your pieces?
For me it was always about being associated with the Responsible Jewellery Council, it's the industry 'gold' standard.
Your pieces are beautifully classic but with a modern twist that holds both relevance and longevity. How does timelessness play into sustainable design?
My pieces pay homage to the beautiful silhouettes that have come before them through Victorian, Art Deco times and beyond. They are designs that have already shown us they stand the test of time. I have re-imagined these to suit the modern woman: the gold is 14kt, the clasps are hidden or become a carefully considered focal point. All of these [elements] demonstrate the timelessness of the piece.
What are your hopes and dreams for your line and for the jewelry industry as a whole in terms of responsible production?
I hope we start to see more and more jewelers working with the RJC, more workshops and critical points in the supply chain striving for their own accreditation. I think there needs to be more education in the industry as a whole about what the customer is buying - especially in the demi-fine industry.
