Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Wilson.
Hi Suzanne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My beginnings in Jewelry were based in being enthralled in antique/vintage jewelry. Watch faux chains, intaglios, etc. My career began when I found a cameo that spoke to me; I set that in a handmade frame and added a handmade chain. At the time, most jewelry was being made in white gold as that was the trend, and most designs were delicate. So, the idea a bold, yellow gold pieces was not “on trend” and that’s similar to my style. I design intuitively and make what I feel the “look” or “vibe” is that I just can’t quite find, vintage or otherwise. As my designs evolved, I sought representation and began working in a wholesale capacity, then moved to direct-to-consumer in 2007. Currently, my work is found in a few small boutiques or online. Most of my clientele work with me one-on-one to either commission pieces or rework existing pieces. I also work with clients to help style and layer existing pieces they own with new pieces or the designs we rework. It’s so much fun.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road isn’t always paved in gold, that’s for sure. Instinct, imagination, and desire are one thing, and growing a business is another. As much as I loved the stores that carried my work, maintaining and growing a business to scale had its challenges as a wholesale business. Juggling PR, trade shows, buybacks, memos, etc., was all fun, yet I realized that it was taking time away from being with my children, and that’s when I decided to scale back and work more D2C. In terms of business growth, I would say profitability is key, being able to manage continued sample making and stone buying and the constant need to output new collections, when the current season was alive, confused me as each of my pieces to me were/are considered “current” and “timeless”…
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart from others is what I mentioned earlier in that I don’t necessarily work thru “trend’ I work thru “vibe” and energy and esthetic. What works for now client isn’t always right for another. My clientele trust me to guide them to pieces that make the unique thru their own style, vs. what “fashion” deems correct. This is the fun part. I specialize in making custom pieces for clients and or curating collections blending my own work and vintage pieces I find. This I what I am most proud of, the feedback once we have moved forward and I het messages from clients telling me how happy they are with their pieces. It warms my heart and soul.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
This is a great question. The industry has a large growth factor based on many things. I believe the newer generations are concerned about sustainability, which is good news. Yet, AI I believe in someways will also tred into the jewelry markets. The total current landscape is valued at over 350b USD., and I believe the global jewelry Market is on track to see a 4.7% growth rate, so by 2030, we will be in the ballpark of a 482b value! SO, jewelry isn’t going anywhere. Overall, I believe bigger brands will stay on track with “classic” / “heirloom” type designs with their multi-generational potential, whereas we will see new designers popping up using interesting techniques, materials, and one-of-a-kind handmade designs. I think it is all very exciting. We are certainly living in a value era, so more buyers, I believe, consider higher-priced purchases as investments … they have meaning to them. I prefer this to the era of ” disposable” pieces any day!
Contact Info:
- Website: swdjewelry.com
- Instagram: suzanne_wilson_designs
- Facebook: suzannewilsondesigns
- Linkedin: Suzanne Wilson
Image Credits
Jeff Wilson
Annmarie Nitti Riordan
