Bundjalung-based jewellery label Perlediu is creating delicate pieces you’ll want to keep forever
WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL
“When I make a necklace I have to feel inspired and ready to make it. A lot of the time I might picture who will be wearing it and I choose the thread colour, the pearls and gems that would suit them.”
For Bundjalung-based designer Bambi, making jewellery began as a way to reconnect with her creative side. After her delicate, eye-catching designs began to be worn by her friends they caught the attention of several boutiques. Her jewellery label Perlediu is now stocked at some of Australia’s go-to cool girl stores, like Error 404 and Shop Jume.
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Bambi’s creations are often fuelled by a particular emotion – something she describes as being “Strung with feeling”. She imagines who might wear each design and lets that dictate her choice of pearls, gems and the colour of the thread. Below, she shares her label’s journey so far and what it’s like to make her customer’s jewellery dreams a reality.
Tell us about you. What’s your fashion background?
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Making jewellery has been my process of getting back in touch with my creativity. As a kid, I was always doing something creative. I used to watch Art Attack religiously, I did interpretive dancing [and] I even took Japanese calligraphy classes. I lost touch with that creative spontaneity when I had to grow up… life got harder and more serious. It’s only been in the last few years that I’ve had the time and space to feel inspired to create things again.
How did the label get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
I had started my Masters in Counselling after doing a Bachelors in Health Science, and I figured out that if I took a break from researching and writing by using my hands to make something, my thinking brain could switch off for a while and I was able to study better. I was taking apart old necklaces and rethreading them. Then friends started wanting to wear my necklaces and stores wanted to stock them. At the time I was living with two amazing women who have their own fashion labels (SauceSwim and Zaroyko). They both really inspired me to start Perlediu.
How would you describe your label to someone who’s never seen it before?
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Picture yourself if you were a necklace made of silk, pearls and precious gems.
What are you most proud of in your work on your label?
It makes me happy when someone really resonates with their Perlediu. When I make a necklace I have to feel inspired and ready to make it. A lot of the time I might picture who will be wearing it and I choose the thread colour, the pearls and gems that would suit them. Other times I might be feeling a certain emotion, hence my saying, “Strung with feeling”. Sometimes I don’t feel inspired at all and I’ll go weeks without making one. But it will always be in the back of my mind as something I look forward to doing.
What do you wish you knew when you started?
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I wish I knew how to use social media. Although they are such great platforms to promote your label, I swear you have to be a mastermind at knowing when, how and what to post. I’d rather be making necklaces.
Who do you think is most exciting in Australian fashion right now?
Of course, I’m going to plug my friends because I have firsthand insight into their creative process and vision. Look out for Zaroyko’s upcoming collection in 2024. Also, Good Morning Tapes and SauceSwim (it’s going to be a hot summer).
Dream Australian collaborators?
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My customers! They always have beautiful ideas, I love creating with them to make their necklace dreams a reality. I’d also like to work with some labels and do limited edition Perlediu collabs (think silk and pearls woven into clothing or Perlediu chains for eyewear).
What’s your go-to dinner party playlist?
NTS Radio’s ‘Sacred Space with Radha’.
Who is in your wardrobe right now?
My most worn pieces of clothing are definitely my track pants from Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp and my old cotton nighties. I’d really like to be wearing Gauntlett Cheng and Emily Dawn Long.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
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You can go to perlediu.com or @perlediu_ on Instagram to see where I’m currently being stocked.
Anything else to add?
Perlediu is pronounced Per-Lee-Do.
Explore Perlediu’s range here.
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