Catherine Marche Ethical Fine Jewellery creates beautiful, chic and timeless pieces of jewellery. Catherine Marche uses only locally-sourced recycled gold and silver materials to make her little token of style by hand in her London based atelier. Her collections feature colourful stones and baroque pearls which bring French elegance and enhance beauty and self-confidence.

Catherine Marche chats to JewelStreet about the history of her brand, inspiration and how there has never been a low point in her career.

How did your brand begin?

Some people bring souvenirs from their travels around the world. I bring back fine jewellery. The last thing I want when choosing a piece is to see a similar one on someone else. I also commissioned special pieces. Being a curious touche-à-tout, I decided to learn how to make it myself. Et voilà!

When did you first fall in love with designing and knew you wanted to become a designer?

I have been in love with making and designing since I was a toddler. An artistic career was promptly discouraged by my parents who still nurtured my artistic endeavours in parallel to my studies in maths, physics and IT. I went back to design later.

Is there anyone in particular who has heavily influenced/guided you as a designer?

My elegant mother was a vibrant source of inspiration taking me to her goldsmith when I was 9 to design my own jewels. She was good with sewing, macramé, interior design, teaching me creativity could take many forms. I also love Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Values are really important to us at JewelStreet. What are your core brand values?

Enjoyment, self-expression and respect. Bringing joy, confidence and well-being to my clients. Respecting the environment by recycling gold and silver. Allowing my clients to express their uniqueness.

Where do you get inspiration for your designs?

I am a true expressionist. My inspiration just sprouts from multiple sources: travels, colours, the street, the fashion world, vintage and the beauty of couture. My designs are born from feelings which translate into lines shapes that express them.

How are your designs made?

Being tactile, most designs evolve at the bench. Metal becomes my playdoh, my paints being precious gemstones and pearls. Many are happy strokes of luck. I like the apparent irregularity of nature, although everything is mathematics Fibonacci beauty.

Are there any specific manufacturing/crafting techniques you use?

I like antique techniques like fusing 22kt gold and also use cutting edge techniques like photo-etching, a technique borrowed from electronics printed circuit boards.

How do you source your materials?

Once I have found the items on my shopping list, I wander and peruse gemstones, I get an emotional buzz from those which will inspire me. I like when they tell a story through their inclusions and imperfections, just like a piece of life itself.

How do you ensure your designs are ethical and sustainable?

I have chosen to source recycled metal locally to help reduce our impact on the planet. Whenever possible, I collaborate with a gemmologist purchasing rough from the mines, then cut to my specifications, or gems from reputable conflict-free dealers.

Tell us about some of your most inspiring clients, or bespoke commissions.

I once used a grandmothers' eternity ring to create 4 pieces for her daughters and granddaughters. It's amazing to be able to transfer emotions through generations. I see jewellery as little tokens of love, heirlooms of the future.

Are there any celebrities you would love to see wearing your designs?

A free spirit like Carrie Bradshaw! I think Megan Markle and Angelina Jolie would look amazing with long gold earrings with baroque pearls and colourful gems, and I would see Drew Barrymore with my stacking rings.

Can you recall a particular moment with a client that will stay with you forever? Could be a funny horror story or a fond memory.

I remember many who will stay with me forever. Particularly one from Brazil who gave me a gorgeous yellow sapphire to create a ring, which I delivered there and a Dutch couple who wanted a rough indicolite wedding set and flew over to meet me.

How do you want someone to feel when they wear/use your designs?

I want them to feel desirable, confident, unique and overall simply gorgeously stunning.

If you could only wear one piece from your collection, what would it be and why?

My gold Coco chain. It is very versatile. Can be worn as a long necklace, a choker, a belt, a tie, a bracelet, as seen in my photo. I dress it up or down morphing it to different occasions. I am making a new version in 22kt gold.

If you hadn't become a designer, what would you be doing?

I would still be a computer scientist, working as a freelance consultant managing corporate IT projects. It is great fun to interact with people of all works of like to sort out their challenges.

Do you work with any charities?

I do, through collaborations, donations or auctions. I have helped to raise money for causes close to my heart, like children in hospitals, and am a trustee for the Mahola Health Foundation which brings healthcare to rural communities in Cameroun.

If you could travel to one place in the world right now, where would it be and why?

Just one? Definitely places I have not been to yet like Vietnam, Cambodia or India for their culture, landscape, people and historical monuments or New Zealand for white water rafting, culture and wildlife.

What's the biggest style mistake you've ever made?

Oh la la! I do not think there is such a thing as a style mistake. If you feel good wearing what you have chosen, it is all that matters. Being yourself, feeling elated and empowered expressing who you truly are gives you the va va voom you need.

Are there any other designers whose work you particularly admire, and what items are on your current wishlist?

I am fascinated by the worlds of Andrew Grima and Jaqueline Ryan. I also love the classic elegance of Hubert de Givenchy and Marchesaand the exuberance of some Dior collections. I would wear and cherish anything from them.

What music do you play in the studio whilst you’re working?

A mix of Jazz, world music, soukous, Brazilian, French, soul and oldies. I have created a few playlists on repeat or tune to fipradio.fr

What's your favourite quote?

It is a proverb "aide-toi et le ciel t'aidera" meaning "God helps those who help themselves. Reminding me that the actor of my own destiny is myself and that without action, nothing happens.

Which 3 current or historic figures would you have over for a dinner party and why?

Salvador Dali, Leonard de Vinci and Josephine Baker. The conversations would be fascinating and we could learn so much from each other, covering art, science, altruism, being unconventional... Definitely a humbling experience.

What meal is your signature dish?

The starter would be Scallops, followed by a nice duck a l'orange and I am told my chocolate mousse is quite tasty.

Winding down after a day in the studio is sometimes difficult for a designer, what do you do to help this process?

I eat dark chocolate. If not too late, I like to play the saxophone or the piano.

Favourite series to binge-watch on Netflix?

Call my agent!

Thanks for talking to us Catherine!