Meet Amelia Huang of Millicent Russell, a local jewellery designer that stocks at local boutique Itrip Iskip at Canberra markets and online through design network, Etsy.
Where do you source your materials from?
A lot of my materials are sourced online through vintage bead sellers. I also source materials through a number of sources around Australia – mainly people I have visited in auction houses, as well as vintage stores. I like to find a little diamond in the rough so to speak every once in a while when I go shopping in antique stores. I love the fact that everything is so unique – you will always find such a variety at every store you visit.
If you were to only wear one piece of jewellery, what would it be?
It would be a necklace. I think necklaces are such a feature piece to any outfit.
Does your label reflect trends?
Not so much colour or weather trends but I know that vintage and repurposing of bead/jewellery components is really ‘in’ at the moment, and I think this trend will start to get much bigger soon.
Describe Canberra’s fashion scene?
I think Canberra has really matured in regards to fashion in the past few years. The Canberra scene used to be a lot more conservative than the fashion scenes in Melbourne and Sydney and of course overseas, but we are starting to get there now, with the upgrade to the Canberra Centre and the introduction of a lot more expensive and exclusive brands.
If you could see one celebrity wearing your pieces, which would it be?
Locally, Miranda Kerr and internationally, Natalie Portman.
What’s the next step for your label?
To have a spring/summer launch party in Canberra in September and work towards building my label up in boutiques overseas. I’ve had a bit of interest and am working now to create a lot of special ‘one-of-a kind’ collections for them. I also want to focus more on exclusive, special pieces.
Millicent Russell will be featured at the next Handmade Market, Kamberra Wine Company, 10am – 4pm Sunday 28 March 2010. Pop past the stall and have a browse, try, buy or just a chat with the lovely Amelia.
