A hand-made success story
Enrolled at the College of Fine Arts in Sydney, the 22-year-old student has launched a new line of traditional, hand-crafted jewellery for women. Using classic design skills such as moulding, casting and hand coating, Elizabeth said her label, Firinn by Chloe Elizabeth, was inspired by earthy textures and fabrications.
"I like to experiment with colour and see how far I can push the boundaries to make something stand out," she said. "The beauty is that each time I mix and pour new textures and tones, variations are created, making a natural and unique piece each time."
Featuring three series' of necklaces and stone bangles, the collection includes colourful hand-made beads, hand-case stone, resin, knotted threads and fish and bird charms on chains. Elizabeth has also developed finer trimmings such as vintage silks and cotton prints wrapped into decorative flower bulbs.
Along with her classical art training, Elizabeth said that these designs have been influenced by her extensive travel abroad.
"While growing up, I was lucky enough to have been exposed to amazing international galleries as a child. Because my dad travelled for work, I was able to go and explore works from Dali's house to Frank Ghery."
Officially launching her line at The Source during Australian Fashion Week (AFW), Elizabeth has already fielded expressions of interests from a "handful of stockists" and confirmed a buyer in Sydney. The young designer also said that a flurry of publicity meant she was lucky enough to recieve a personal invitation.
"I make and wear my pieces and was fortunate enough for a fashion coordinator of a magazine to feature my designs when they saw a piece they liked. I have appeared and reappeared in that magazine and been scouted by freelance stylists to make accessories for particular shoots. Through this publicity, the [AFW] facilitators saw my work."
Retailing from $60 to $300, Firinn by Chloe Elizabeth is currently stocked at House of Capulet in Sydney.