We particularly like designers who care about the planet, what with it being single-use and everything. Lucy - pictured - is something of a champion in this respect. Her couture jewellery line, seraglia, takes ethics and environment seriously and looks sufficiently gorgeous to win a prize on our launch homepage competition.


Read on to find out more about Lucy, her life, philosophy and rather saucy taste in jokes.

CWG: What's a typical day in your life like?

LW: "I’m usually up fairly early, but I love to potter and enjoy a good breakfast before anything serious happens. I’ll usually read my emails first, then finalise plans for the day ahead.

"As well as designing and making jewellery, I’m a design and branding consultant, so though the day is often spent in the studio or scouring the markets for treasure, I can also be found out meeting with design clients or my creative partners. At the moment I’m working on my next couture collection and also creating accessories for a project called ReVamp, so there’s lots of work to be done. I love Pilates and yoga and like to make sure I get a good walk or stretch even if I don’t get to a class.

"At the weekends and in the evenings I like to wind down with a book or film or meet with friends either out or at home - I love to cook. Twice a week or so I’ll go out to a club or event – I may even be performing myself. I sang for my friends a few weeks ago – it was a double celebration - my birthday and winning the Catwalk Genius prize.  Twice a month I co-run a clothes swap and a creative coaching project called Livetocreate, and preparing for these keeps me busy too.

"Last thing at night I like to review the day in my head, and note down any ideas that come to me – it’s amazing how creative you can be when you’re just nodding off."

Lucy performing

CWG: On your profile page, you describe some very impressive family history (Lucy has buccaneers and mountaineers among her relatives). Have you got the same adventurous streak?

LW: "Oh yes indeed, having a buccaneer for an ancestor does explain a lot, and other family members are quite adventurous too. I was off scrambling over the mountains and horse riding alone at a young age, and have practiced Kung fu and Aikido. When I travel I like to go the long way round and very much off the beaten track. I’m hoping to go overland to Morocco and stay with Tuareg tribespeople again this year, and plan to travel long distance on horseback in the next year or so..."

 

CWG: Ethics are a key part of seraglia's brand, but it can't be easy producing jewellery in a sustainable and responsible way. How do you do it?

LW: "I believe that all the earth's resources are precious and that ethical and environmental responsibility should be part of the charm and romance of jewellery. We pride our selves on using antique, old, reclaimed fair trade and unexpected materials to create lasting heirloom pieces.
 

"I try to ensure that every component is of the highest quality and durability. Beads and vintage pieces are offset with sturdy fittings and filigrees of rich gold, raw brass and gunmetal. Chains and pendants are made of wired links, which are strong and give the pieces a wonderful fluidity and movement. Necklaces fasten with a hook, allowing the length to be altered from chest piece to choker, as desired.

 
"seraglia represents a return to the romance and attention to detail of jewellery made during the 19th and the early 20th century. Much of this was made from common materials, glass, brass alloys, wood, rubber and plant based plastics. Pieces were often designed in a modular way with chains or links holding components together - making repairs and eventual reuse much easier.

"In contrast, much modern jewellery is of vintage inspired design, but very cheaply manufactured using poor materials, and not made to last.

"When sourcing new beads and metal components wherever possible I buy those that do not harm the environment and are produced under good working conditions, and in most cases, these are from Europe.

"I also source other elements carefully, in many cases using reclaimed or salvaged parts, and am beginning to use beads and carvings made from renewable, rainforest friendly resources like vegetable ivory and vulcanised waste or reclaimed rubber.

"Any coral I use in our designs is from old broken necklaces, and it is used sparingly, as red and black coral are fast becoming endangered species. Unless a client has proven antique pieces, I will not use elephant ivory. I have used very thin slices of 10,000 year old Siberian mammoth ivory and salvaged butterfly wings from a UK attraction for couture pendants, but do not use fur.

"At present is near impossible to source fair trade or certified semi precious gemstones, however I do check that suppliers have personally inspected factories and found them safe and well run.

"seraglia is now

  • promoting reuse and environmental responsibility – and practicing it.
  • ensuring that every component is of the highest quality and durability
  • creating a reliable and cost effective UK manufacturing base and encouraging and training craft workers
  • following ethical business best practice and ensuring we monitor our projects effectively
  • committed to ensuring good working conditions and respect for the environment
  • passing these values though our entire supply chain

"seraglia is a member of the Eco Design Network and a founder member of we all reuse."

CWG: The environment seems to be getting higher billing on the world's agenda recently. Are you optimistic about the future?

LW: "I believe we’re now engaged in a deadly race between the new abilities of technology to prove climate change and overuse of resources exists, and our increasing stupidity and selfishness in pushing aside these proofs and other warnings - even though the media has been full of them.

"Though there are great eco products and services out there, they are just a drop in the ocean compared what’s needed – a big shift away from our consumer habits.  Many of the world’s problems are exacerbated by our disconnection to the natural world, other people, our emotions and to our creativity – which are of course the very things that could and will solve them.

"Our creative selves are more powerful than we can imagine – and our imaginations and desires shape our world. We can choose whether to reinforce the destructive status quo or to truly live and to create a new world around us. It’s up to all of us to decide if we are consumers or creators. Right now I’m optimistic but I know there’s a long way to go.

'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.' "

 

CWG: Know any good jokes?

LW: "A woman and a baby were in the doctor's examining room, waiting for the doctor to come in for the baby's first exam. The doctor arrived, and examined the baby, checked his weight, and being a little concerned, asked if the baby was breast-fed or bottle-fed. 'Breast-fed,' she replied. 'Well, strip down to your waist,' the doctor ordered. She did.

"He pinched her nipples, pressed, kneaded, and rubbed both breasts for a while in a very professional and detailed examination. Motioning to her to get dressed, the doctor said, 'No wonder this baby is underweight. You don't have any milk.' 'I know,' she said, 'I'm his Grandma, but I'm glad I came.' "


I can't follow that. No-one could. So I'll just say this: if you think that more jewellery should be produced in a responsible way, then go ahead and adopt Lucy so she can make it happen.