Catrin Claeson

Catrin Claeson is a British jeweller and businesswoman who established her own design house in 2014. She started making jewellery inspired by the circus and travelled the world collecting pieces to put into her collection. We caught up with her ahead of her show in London, which runs from 14th – 16th November 2018.

What is the story behind your new collection?

My collection is inspired by the circus; I grew up watching the circus in Britain and it had a huge impact on my life. I spent my twenties travelling the world, visiting places like the circus museums in America and Europe, and became really inspired by the culture. The collection combines unique and luxurious metals with playful and unique circus elements – like the iconic red nose. The circus element is brought to life through enamelling, which is a traditional technique used to decorate jewellery.

How does the design process work?

Firstly, I go through my pieces and pick out the ones that have the most potential. I love a good challenge, so I try and come up with unique and luxurious ways to show off the metals and gemstones I use. Once I have my favourites, I work on a smaller scale to check the proportion of the design and scale of the gemstone. After that, it’s about adding the finishing touches, like engraving, designing a unique box and finding the perfect companion piece to go with it.

How many pieces are in the collection?

There are forty-six jewellery pieces in the collection, each one telling its own unique story. The pieces range from large pendants for women to smaller hoops or brooches for men. The pieces are designed to be worn combined or on their own, depending on the outfit you are planning for.

How does the design house fit into the current trends?

Circus players are enjoying a moment in the sun, with many of their styles becoming popular both in and out of the home. People are wanting to feel a connection to the wonderful world of the circus – which is brilliant! I wanted to create a collection that celebrated the culture and tradition of the circus, whilst still being relevant and stunning in today’s world.

I want my designs to stand out not just because of the design itself but because of the quality of the materials and the uniqueness of the story they each tell. It is important to me that people feel a connection to these beautiful pieces. It’s such a unique story and I’m so proud to be able to contribute to this special moment in history.

Your designs are becoming very popular, what is the next step?

I’m so pleased that people are enjoying my designs and connecting to the stories they tell. I love being a part of this moment in history and seeing how much my designs mean to people. However, the real test is yet to come as pieces from the collection have been selected to represent Great Britain in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in London.

I’m now looking forward to seeing my designs on the big screen at the Eurovision Song Contest, where I will be rooting for our great country to win!