Loved by celebs, journalists and with a huge cult following is award-winning jewellery designer Jessica de Lotz, a born-and-bred North Londoner who is this weeks LDNER. We ask Jess all about how London makes her tick.
Where in London do you live and what do you love about the area?
I live in Tufnell Park with my husband Nathan. I went to school in Camden and have always lived in North London so it truly feels like home to me. What I particularly love about Tufnell Park is the fact that it feels leafy, green and quiet albeit pretty much in the heart of London.
Tell us what you do for a living and where in London you work?
I am a narrative-based jeweller and my studio is in Clerkenwell. As King’s Cross develops rapidly, it also feels as if Clerkenwell is part of the wave so it’s a very exciting place to work. Clerkenwell is bustling, ever-evolving and the sun always seem to shine!
Does London play a big part in inspiring your work, how so?
I find the energy of London positively addictive and the best motivator – especially when you’re doing something you love! A great deal of my inspiration comes from the collecting that I do in London – visiting flea markets, car boot sales and antique fairs. I re-interpret my findings, be it old dusty letters, sepia photographs or random curios, breathing new life into these rediscovered stories in the form of my wearable jewellery. London certainly has its hotspots for this but wherever I am in the world, I will always seek out “thrifting” haunts. I have no doubt that even if I lived abroad, I’d still find my source of inspiration.
Any tips on where to go to pick up gems?
For antiques Spitalfields on a Thursday tip 2pm, Paul’s Emporium on Brecknock Road has hidden gems aplenty! For vintage clothing, Clerkenwell & Hammersmith Vintage Fair but watch out because they usually happen on the same day of the month. My style like my jewellery designs is very much a mix of old and new so my favourite high street shops are & Other Stories, Whistles & The Kooples (in the sale) and I love a sample sale and this also means that I can slip in a few nice designer pieces into my wardrobe each season too. For the best coffee and cake, my sister’s coffee shop Mouse & de Lotz is gorgeous.
What would be your perfect day in London?
I love a stretch at Bikram to begin my day or failing that (as it does wipe you out for a while), thrifting in the morning, a casual lunch at Polpo in Soho followed by an Espresso Martini(s)… at Bob Bob Ricard and then checking into The Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green for the night. We’ve only stayed there once and it feels so indulgent to stay in a hotel when it’s in your own city but that’s the beauty of it. Oh to be a tourist in London! Alternatively, a day/weekend by the sea with my family in Broadstairs. I’m the baby of five children and hanging out with them all makes me very happy (see photo attached).
…and there you have it folks. Jess has just launched a new jewellery colleciton in collaboration with tarot reader Louise Androlia, you can find out more here.