Interview: Carol Woolton
How important is jewellery to a woman's look?
It's an essential element of every woman's wardrobe – jewellery was first called 'costume' because it completed a look. It's part of our culture – we mark the important milestones of our life with jewels. Fashion trends come and go but our jewels last forever and express so much about how we live. When you think of it, entire civilizations have come and gone and we know about their lives via the jewellery that survived. Also, it gets increasingly important as the world wears the same clothes now so jewels are the way to express your individuality and personality. I love the fact that women can own pieces of jewellery and tell their story through them – also, invariably jewellery is a conversation point.
What one piece of jewellery should every woman own? Why?
A diamond - it's the stone that glints and glistens and it really is a milestone in every woman's life to own one, whether it is set in a necklace, bracelet or ring. It doesn't matter if you buy it for yourself or are given it or how big it is – you can always trade up in time – but every woman remembers the moment they hold their first diamond.
If a diamond is out of reach, find something else to sparkle near your face. I have used black spinel and moonstone in the earrings for my QVC collection which glisten beautifully, lighting the complexion better than any anti-aging cream could.
What is most-overrated when it comes to jewellery? Why?
Unwearable jewels – anything that is too conceptual, as jewellery should be made to be worn. Jewellery should be beautiful and make a statement but if it's too heavy you'll get a headache or earache by the end of the evening, it should have an element of practicality and versatility. I hate jewellery being left in a box in a drawer only brought out for special occasions, which is why I was intent on designing the pieces in my collection so that they can be worn daily, no matter what the occasion.
I strongly believe that with a capsule wardrobe of jewellery, like the staple fashion accessories of a white T shirt and pair of black heels that we all need, you'll never run out of styling ideas. I made my collection super simple and easy so they could be the building blocks of every woman's jewellery wardrobe.
My pearl necklace and drop earrings are the jewel equivalent of the little black dress – the ultimate style classic we all depend on whatever the season. I've included classic hoops in three colours of metal that will be stylish forever.
What jewellery is most commonly over-looked and why?
I'd have to say brooches because they are so often seen as old-fashioned and stuffy. One of my favourite looks this season is to cluster a couple of brooches together or wear a statement vintage piece high on the shoulder – it's fresh and modern and a great way to revive an old jacket.
The only person who wears matching suites any more I think is The Queen, who can get away with it because she has the best jewels in the world - for the rest of us wearing 'suites' looks too 'matchy' and a bit frumpy. We need pieces that work together more subtly so we can easily mix and match without thinking about it and look fresh and modern. Using my collection you can style different looks, even mixing metals, as ultimately all the pieces complement each other. I'll wear the silver hoops with the black and white agate ring or the pearl drop earrings with a long black pearl chain.
A selection from Carol's new range
If you could only own one piece of jewellery what would it be and why?
Definitely it would be a big knuckleduster ring. I love the way they emphasize what you say and how you say it. They catch the light when you move your hands and you have the pleasure of looking at it as well as everyone else. A bold, beautiful ring is a simple way to make a great statement. This summer there is a strong summer black trend so I'll be teaming that with the black and white agate ring from my collection for QVC.
What are the big jewellery trends of 2014/15 going to be and why?
The big trend this season is layering – long armour style rings with small bands and nail rings, lots of ear studs up the ear – if you're clever you find one earing that does the job for you rising up the ear looking like multiple studs. Next year I think the focus will be the focus will shift to more geometric looking, single statement pieces. Yellow gold is coming back so I've included a classic pair of golden hoops to mix with pearls and chains which are long, loose and relaxed
Is there any type of jewellery that you would never wear? Why?
I'm not good at 'fake' – I think that the designs of costume jewellery are fabulous and creative but I don't really wear them. For me a piece of jewellery has to have some connection to the earth – a stone or metal – I like the history and longevity of precious jewellery.
Who in the public eye today, wears jewellery well? And who doesn't?
Karl Lagerfeld wears tonnes of rings together which I love – and diamond brooches pinned on black ties. Kate Moss mixes vintage pieces by Annina Vogel beautifully in her modern fashion style.
I'd love to see Samantha Cameron wearing more jewellery – she champions British Fashion. What about British jewellery? We have the most creative young jewellers and craftsmen in the world.
How was it designing your own jewellery collection? What did you most and least enjoy?
I am completely engrossed in jewellery as a subject – everything I do comes back to my passion for it. Writing about it is so different to taking on a hands-on role of creation, so it's adding to my knowledge and helping me to experience the industry from a different angle. I can see how helpful and necessary it is for the great designers to be able to draw – as a wordsmith rather than an artist I relied heavily on words and descriptions.
The best part of the design process is seeing your vision realised – it's so exciting when a piece arrives from the workshop and you witness the collection come to life from ideas to the reality of wearing one of the pieces. Pushed to say, the least enjoyable part for me would be talking about the designs, I'm used to being behind the scenes – asking the questions and looking at other's work – so it's been strange to switch shoes.
If you could give one tip to people when it comes to wearing (or buying) jewellery, what would it be?
Buy something that you love, something that speaks to you. Buying jewellery is a little like buying a piece of artwork - it creates some emotion inside, it provokes a reaction and catches your attention. You know instantly if it's right for you or not, and you need to see yourself wearing it for years to come.
Think of it in the context of your whole wardrobe – you shouldn't buy a jewel to suit only one outfit. Everyone has different tastes so my advice is simple: go with what appeals to you as ultimately it will reflect your personality and natural style and you have to feel comfortable. When you're comfortable in something, you automatically feel more confident and jewels are there to enhance your life and make you feel good.
Carol Woolton's debut jewellery collection has been designed exclusively for QVC and will be available online at www.qvcuk.com from Tuesday the 29th April.
Tune in to QVC at 7pm on Tuesday 29th April to watch Carol presenting her range live on-air for the first time.
It's an essential element of every woman's wardrobe – jewellery was first called 'costume' because it completed a look. It's part of our culture – we mark the important milestones of our life with jewels. Fashion trends come and go but our jewels last forever and express so much about how we live. When you think of it, entire civilizations have come and gone and we know about their lives via the jewellery that survived. Also, it gets increasingly important as the world wears the same clothes now so jewels are the way to express your individuality and personality. I love the fact that women can own pieces of jewellery and tell their story through them – also, invariably jewellery is a conversation point.
What one piece of jewellery should every woman own? Why?
A diamond - it's the stone that glints and glistens and it really is a milestone in every woman's life to own one, whether it is set in a necklace, bracelet or ring. It doesn't matter if you buy it for yourself or are given it or how big it is – you can always trade up in time – but every woman remembers the moment they hold their first diamond.
If a diamond is out of reach, find something else to sparkle near your face. I have used black spinel and moonstone in the earrings for my QVC collection which glisten beautifully, lighting the complexion better than any anti-aging cream could.
What is most-overrated when it comes to jewellery? Why?
Unwearable jewels – anything that is too conceptual, as jewellery should be made to be worn. Jewellery should be beautiful and make a statement but if it's too heavy you'll get a headache or earache by the end of the evening, it should have an element of practicality and versatility. I hate jewellery being left in a box in a drawer only brought out for special occasions, which is why I was intent on designing the pieces in my collection so that they can be worn daily, no matter what the occasion.
I strongly believe that with a capsule wardrobe of jewellery, like the staple fashion accessories of a white T shirt and pair of black heels that we all need, you'll never run out of styling ideas. I made my collection super simple and easy so they could be the building blocks of every woman's jewellery wardrobe.
My pearl necklace and drop earrings are the jewel equivalent of the little black dress – the ultimate style classic we all depend on whatever the season. I've included classic hoops in three colours of metal that will be stylish forever.
What jewellery is most commonly over-looked and why?
I'd have to say brooches because they are so often seen as old-fashioned and stuffy. One of my favourite looks this season is to cluster a couple of brooches together or wear a statement vintage piece high on the shoulder – it's fresh and modern and a great way to revive an old jacket.
The only person who wears matching suites any more I think is The Queen, who can get away with it because she has the best jewels in the world - for the rest of us wearing 'suites' looks too 'matchy' and a bit frumpy. We need pieces that work together more subtly so we can easily mix and match without thinking about it and look fresh and modern. Using my collection you can style different looks, even mixing metals, as ultimately all the pieces complement each other. I'll wear the silver hoops with the black and white agate ring or the pearl drop earrings with a long black pearl chain.
A selection from Carol's new rangeIf you could only own one piece of jewellery what would it be and why?
Definitely it would be a big knuckleduster ring. I love the way they emphasize what you say and how you say it. They catch the light when you move your hands and you have the pleasure of looking at it as well as everyone else. A bold, beautiful ring is a simple way to make a great statement. This summer there is a strong summer black trend so I'll be teaming that with the black and white agate ring from my collection for QVC.
What are the big jewellery trends of 2014/15 going to be and why?
The big trend this season is layering – long armour style rings with small bands and nail rings, lots of ear studs up the ear – if you're clever you find one earing that does the job for you rising up the ear looking like multiple studs. Next year I think the focus will be the focus will shift to more geometric looking, single statement pieces. Yellow gold is coming back so I've included a classic pair of golden hoops to mix with pearls and chains which are long, loose and relaxed
Is there any type of jewellery that you would never wear? Why?
I'm not good at 'fake' – I think that the designs of costume jewellery are fabulous and creative but I don't really wear them. For me a piece of jewellery has to have some connection to the earth – a stone or metal – I like the history and longevity of precious jewellery.
Who in the public eye today, wears jewellery well? And who doesn't?
Karl Lagerfeld wears tonnes of rings together which I love – and diamond brooches pinned on black ties. Kate Moss mixes vintage pieces by Annina Vogel beautifully in her modern fashion style.
I'd love to see Samantha Cameron wearing more jewellery – she champions British Fashion. What about British jewellery? We have the most creative young jewellers and craftsmen in the world.
How was it designing your own jewellery collection? What did you most and least enjoy?
I am completely engrossed in jewellery as a subject – everything I do comes back to my passion for it. Writing about it is so different to taking on a hands-on role of creation, so it's adding to my knowledge and helping me to experience the industry from a different angle. I can see how helpful and necessary it is for the great designers to be able to draw – as a wordsmith rather than an artist I relied heavily on words and descriptions.
The best part of the design process is seeing your vision realised – it's so exciting when a piece arrives from the workshop and you witness the collection come to life from ideas to the reality of wearing one of the pieces. Pushed to say, the least enjoyable part for me would be talking about the designs, I'm used to being behind the scenes – asking the questions and looking at other's work – so it's been strange to switch shoes.
If you could give one tip to people when it comes to wearing (or buying) jewellery, what would it be?
Buy something that you love, something that speaks to you. Buying jewellery is a little like buying a piece of artwork - it creates some emotion inside, it provokes a reaction and catches your attention. You know instantly if it's right for you or not, and you need to see yourself wearing it for years to come.
Think of it in the context of your whole wardrobe – you shouldn't buy a jewel to suit only one outfit. Everyone has different tastes so my advice is simple: go with what appeals to you as ultimately it will reflect your personality and natural style and you have to feel comfortable. When you're comfortable in something, you automatically feel more confident and jewels are there to enhance your life and make you feel good.
Carol Woolton's debut jewellery collection has been designed exclusively for QVC and will be available online at www.qvcuk.com from Tuesday the 29th April.
Tune in to QVC at 7pm on Tuesday 29th April to watch Carol presenting her range live on-air for the first time.