Laura Lee is one of the most sought-after jewelry designers in London, and we were fortunate enough to get the opportunity to find out about her life and work. We delved into how she got started in jewelry design, as well as discovering more about the inspiration behind her stunning jewelry collections. Her beautiful store is located in the heart of Covent Garden on Monmouth Street, and is the perfect place to find a wonderful gift for friends or family, or that special present just for yourself. Laura also shared her perfect day in the city, as well as her top places to visit in the capital – we think there are some truly great suggestions here for your London stay!
What first inspired your love of jewelry?
My Mum had a wonderful charm bracelet laden with charms from all her travels around the world with her friends and then with my Dad. I loved the different charms and the stories they told and the places they invoked in my imagination. My Dad bought home for me one day a bag full of sequins and beads from a trimmings supplier and this fired up my imagination and I never stopped being obsessed.
When was the moment that your passion for jewelry turned into a business?
It was a slow burn thing really rather than a flash bulb moment. I made jewelry when I was at art school to supplement my existence as a student and when I came back to London I went to the same store my Dad had brought me those sequins and beads from and started making fashion jewelry from those components ‐ which I sold to lots of different stores in London including little jewelry boutiques and department stores such as Harvey Nichols and Liberty. It just kept on growing from there.
Where do you find your inspiration for your collections?
Everywhere -‐ from the street, in galleries, in the night sky. By always looking at things in the world there is inspiration all around us.
You have a beautiful store in Monmouth Street, Covent Garden – was it always an ambition to have a store in London?
To be honest I took on the shop on a bit of a whim! My Chinese granddad was a gambler and I think it must be in my blood. Although thinking about it is the natural place for me to have a shop … I always loved that part of town and the villagey/local feeling of the area ‐ it suits me and my approach to business. I didn’t really know how to run a shop but I have learnt so much and after ten years or so have a built a really wonderful team and client base ‐ we have made a Laura Lee Family in our premises on our beloved Monmouth Street.
How would you describe your perfect day in London?
Spending the morning browsing in the gorgeous antique shops on Church Street – Lunch at Moro on Exmouth Market followed by a walk on Hampstead Heath … a sunny day of course! Oh and then some drinks down at the South Bank people and river watching.
What would you recommend as your Top 3 places to visit in London?
Victoria and Albert Museum, British Museum and all the parks – I particularly like the Chelsea Physic Garden … and maybe some shopping destinations like Mayfair and Shoreditch and the Shop at Bluebird in Kings Road. Oh and Petersham Nurseries in Richmond. Sorry three is not enough in London!
Click here to find out more about Laura Lee Jewelry.
