Meet Filthyy, the Melbourne jewellery brand turning self-doubt into wearable art
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RUBY WARDEN-HOMMEL
AS TOLD TO MARYEL SOUSA
“I wish I hadn’t spent so much time wondering what people would think.”
Even before leaving her small town for the ‘big smoke’, jeweller Ruby Warden-Hommel knew she was destined to do something creative; she just wasn’t quite sure where life would lead her. But after stumbling by chance upon a TAFE course for jewellery design one night, she knew she’d found her calling.
As someone who’d struggled with self-esteem, Ruby hoped to use her work to express herself and assert her individuality. So, she started her brand Filthyy as a message, using ‘rude’ words carved into sterling silver signet rings as a way to rage against the exhausting negativity she’d been subjecting herself to.
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Ruby tells me that, despite her desire to overcome it, this same self-doubt nearly held her back from launching Filthyy. The biggest challenge was learning to embody the very message her jewellery seeks to convey. “I wish I hadn’t spent so much time wondering what people would think of my jewellery,” she says, “I wish I hadn’t procrastinated so much out of fear.”
Luckily for jewellery lovers, it’s a challenge she overcame. Now, Ruby’s achieving things with Filthyy beyond her wildest dreams. In the last year, Filthyy’s had its first solo exhibition and two Melbourne shops have snapped up handmade stock from the brand’s latest collections, which have expanded to include pendants, chains, earrings and sneaker tags. “It’s important to relish in the milestones as they come, however big or small. I never thought I’d be where I am today.”
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Fashion Journal: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your fashion background?
Ruby: I grew up in the small town of Daylesford, Victoria, and was always itching to move to the city since I was an early teen. I moved to the big smoke almost the minute I turned 18 and consider it one of the best things I’ve ever done. I was never very good at school, but I loved art and textiles. While all my friends were studying hard for exams, I was probably drawing in my sketch book somewhere under a tree.
I felt so lost as a teenager and had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up. I just knew I had to do something creative. I dabbled in a bit of everything from sewing and painting to ceramics and sculpture. My mum was a bit of a hippy, so we had heaps of crystals in our house growing up. I started wrapping them in wire and selling them as pendants and earrings at my local market.
One night, after moving to Melbourne, I was scrolling through courses at Melbourne Polytechnic and stumbled upon a diploma in jewellery and object design. It was super hands-on. I learned so much from the incredible teachers. I was immediately obsessed and remember after my first day of TAFE coming home and thinking, “I’ve found my thing!”
How did your label get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
I graduated with the Advanced Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design from Melbourne Polytechnic in 2021. To be honest, it took me a little while to get my shit together. I was in my early twenties and working in hospo, struggling with the idea that, to turn this into a career, I was going to have to learn to be really good at social media, which I wasn’t (and maybe I’m still not).
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I spent most of my time making pieces for friends and family. Through that, I finally found my style. I started rocking up to my barista job dripping in silver jewellery I had made from head to toe. Customers started to ask where I got my jewellery from.
Next thing I knew, I had a list of custom orders and for the first time, I had a deadline. Time management has been something I’ve really struggled with over the years, but I’m finally getting better at not taking on more than I can handle.
What were you trying to achieve from the project at the time and how has this evolved?
When I first launched my brand, it began with these super chunky signet rings I made from 925 sterling silver. I would write rude words on them like ‘horny’, ‘slag’ and ‘brat’. I was trying to convey a much bigger message through my jewellery, which is to honour individuality and self-expression. I have crooked teeth, acne and frizzy hair, and I was so sick and tired of hating myself for these things. It’s truly so exhausting to be so hard on yourself.
Now, I know that everything is aligning at the right time. It’s important to relish in the milestones as they come, however big or small. I never thought I’d be where I am today.
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So many cool things have happened this year: I had my first solo exhibition in July (I made a total of 50 pieces for that), I started stocking my jewellery in two new stockists in Melbourne and now, here I am talking to fucking Fashion Journal! Life is wild – you never know what lies ahead. I’m proud that I’ve learned to be kinder to myself and just enjoy the ride.
What do you wish you’d known when you started?
It’s cliché, but it really is true what they say – just start! I wish I hadn’t spent so much time wondering what people would think of my jewellery or being too scared to post on Instagram because I was afraid it wouldn’t get any likes. I wish I hadn’t procrastinated so much out of fear.
I also wish I’d known you really don’t need the perfect studio setup with all the expensive tools to start. I spent so much money on tools I’ve never used.
Who do you think is most exciting in Australian fashion right now?
I’m most excited about seeing my artistic friends kill it! I’ve also been loving seeing new and upcoming jewellers pop up, as well as other local fashion labels, too. It’s super exciting how much cool, creative stuff people are making right now. There’s inspiration all around us. If you’re looking for people doing awesome stuff, you’ll for sure find them.
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What about the local fashion industry needs to change?
We really need to talk more about fast fashion. In terms of the jewellery world, people can be a little put off by the prices that independent jewellery labels charge, but it’s really important to zoom out and appreciate the benefits of buying local.
There needs to be a shift in how consumers view independent brands and we need to remember the value of supporting small businesses. It may seem pricey at first, but when you purchase jewellery made from solid gold or sterling silver, you end up saving money in the long run. And if cared for correctly, you can literally have those pieces for a lifetime of wear.
We really are spoiled for choice in Australia, with so many amazing jewellers offering incredible craftsmanship, where you can buy staple pieces that are well-made and will last you years. Plus, they won’t make your skin turn green.
Who would be your dream Australian collaborators?
I’d have to say it would be Homie or Niamh Galea. I love the Reborn collection Homie makes from upcycling garments that would have otherwise gone to landfill. I’ve always had these ideas floating around in my head, ways I could attach gold or silver charms to that clothing. And, of course, I love everything about Niamh Galea’s pieces, brand and ethos.
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Who is in your wardrobe right now?
Mostly pieces I’ve gotten from op shops. I can’t lie, I do love a late-night Depop purchase. I also recently bought a pair of Spider Pants (finally) from Karlaidlaw after thinking about it for years. I got the silver pair and they are so comfy, I’ve been living in them.
I’m currently waiting on a custom bikini set from Sexiaz Lingerie, which is being made to order as we speak. I’m so excited to take my set for a dip in the ocean and get some well-needed R&R by the beach this summer.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
You can shop online via my website or DM me on Instagram, and we can create a custom piece from scratch. If you’d like to shop IRL, you can check out my latest pieces at Comune Gallery in Northcote or Moods in Thornbury.
To see what Filthyy has on offer, head here.
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