Orange Rabbit?

Check out this interview with Jacqueline in the spring edition of Frosting magazine.

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Soulful Sensations

An eclectic mix of industry meets coast, strong yet femimine. The Byron Bay label has recently had much success at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, showcasing these eye-catching designs and receiving fabulous feedback. Designer Jacqueline McCoach reveals the inner essence behind her label and latest Bespoke collection to Rachel Bilic.

How did your interest in jewellery design begin? I have always been interested in design. When I was younger I did a bit of modelling and from there always thought I would design clothes, but my mum encouraged me to start beading. I began making these beaded necklaces that would take me hours and things grew from there, self-teaching the whole way.

What is it that motivates you when creating JBJ? I simply want to make pieces that allow people to be themselves and don’t impose an image. To create jewellery that feels great to wear and brings joy to the moment.

Tell us about your brand statement: JBJ ‘is not made to appeal to those who identify themselves by status symbols or flashy accessories but designed to inspire people to know themselves by their own true quality’. The importance lies in the intention behind the designs. Some companies create jewellery solely for profit, others to build an image or reputation. I find a lot of brands more than anything, are trying to sell an image that appeals to those who don’t have a strong sense of self and therefore feel less in the face of advertising. This then creates a need for them to purchase the product so they can feel good about themselves. At JBJ we design for people so they can enjoy the jewellery without any ill intention behind it, by creating from a love and understanding that our customers are already amazing and our jewellery simply compliments this.

What personal qualities do you think comes through in your designs? I think all of me comes through in my work. The way I see it is that all art is a product of the way people live and the choices they make, which then creates the feeling of the art that is produced. Because of this, I choose to live in a way that is as loving and gentle as I know how, so these qualities come through in my jewellery.

The materials you use in your collections offer such inimitable and unconventional stones, contours and cuts. How do you keep at the forefront of discovering and utilising these unique materials? I am always looking at what is out there to use, research is part of why I love my work. Looking for and finding new materials is a lot of fun. I select what appeals to me at the time, not worrying whether or not people will agree with what I choose.

So is this how you find you insperation for design? Yes my life is my inspiration. I don’t necessarily go out and look for inspiration, it just happens. I can be inspired by a friend, moment, place or a person’s jewellery and things grow from there.

Each of your pieces is designed ‘to enhance your inner light’. How do you think your jewellery does this for your customers? My experience of selling direct to the public is always interesting, people really connect with a piece and when they put it on it becomes a part of their expression. JBJ is for thoes who are aligned to the shapes and colours that we offer.

Your latest collection Bespoke reveals an enticing range, what has been your vision behind it? So far my ranges have been very wearable. The idea behind Bespoke was to create a bigger, bolder range that were more like pieces of art. Not necessarily something you will wear every day, but definitely something you will treasure forever. It also gives me an area where I can, on a weekly basis create new and amazing pieces where the materials will always be changing. It's fun!

Is there a favourite piece you designed for the Bespoke collection? I love rings; I wear at least 6 rings at any given time, most from the Harmony range. There are heaps of small rings available that you can stack on to the one finger, which I love. From the Bespoke it’s pretty hard to choose one, but at the moment it’s the Phyrite Cube ring.