jewellery designer eleanor ford
The latest collection from Sollis marries two of designer Eleanor Ford's passions - jewellery and textiles. The pieces incorporate both elements, which is not so surprising when you learn that Eleanor completed a MA in Textiles at the respected Goldsmiths College in London after completing a BA in Jewellery Design at Middlesex University. She is now based in Sydney and has launched Sollis after working with Swarovski in Paris.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I started with a degree in jewellery design at Middlesex university in London, during this time I did work experience with a fashion jewellery company Erickson Beamon and continued working for them and other designers after university. After a few years I launched my own collection Eleanor jewellery and sold to many boutiques around the world. In 2009 I relocated to Sydney and began my new brand Sollis Jewellery in January 2011.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Having had a arts/design education when I first started out I had no idea about how to actually run a business so that is the main thing I have learnt along the way.
What’s your proudest career achievement? I think my proudest achievement has been to do design work for Swarovski for the last 3 years and see my designs sold all over the world.
What’s been your best decision? To move to Sydney, Australia.
Who inspires you? I draw a lot of inspiration from traditional crafts and decorative arts from around the world, I particularly love Masai tribal jewellery.
What are you passionate about? I love making things and being creative, and when I’m not making jewellery I’m cooking. I love food too.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Frida Kahlo
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Buying and renovating a beautiful house by the sea with my husband.
What are you reading? Shalimar the clown by Salman Rushdie.
images courtesy of sollis