The local jewellers we love for gothic and statement pieces
image via @_____niicole/instagram
words by lara daly
Whimsigoth heaven.
If you’ve suddenly had the urge to swap out your minimalist, dainty chains for necklaces that look straight out of a Wuthering Heights fever dream, you’re not alone. From chunky pendants and gothic chokers to oversized earrings, statement jewellery is having a moment, everywhere you look.
Margot Robbie has repeatedly worn dramatic, throat-level necklaces throughout her press run, and at Paris Fashion Week, model’s ears were adorned in all sorts of dramatic shapes, from the floral sculptural forms at Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel, to the mixed metal chandeliers at Saint Laurent that swung by the collar-bone. But it was Teyana Taylor showing up at Schiappareli in a pearl-encrusted, fuck-off tiara that really hit the nail on the head.
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Contrary to what you might think, big jewellery isn’t just for maximalists. One niche trend that’s been doing the rounds on TikTok lately is ‘gothic minimalism‘ – the idea of wearing a simple, all-black outfit with one piece of gothic-inspired jewellery, like a cross pendant, chain belt or molten metal cuff.
With Melbourne Fashion Festival around the corner, it’s a look I plan to experiment with. Rather than panic-buying new clothes or stressing about outfit repeating, I’m going to zhush up my mostly all-black wardrobe with a few considered, statement pieces. Here’s the local jewellers and brands I’ve been eyeing up on my search.
Niicole
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Taking cues from Renaissance, Baroque and the ’80s, New Zealand-based jeweller Nicole Pollard makes the kind of pieces you’d expect to see on a Vivienne Westwood runway. The Mechanical Animal choker is a stand-out piece, but if you can’t commit to wearing 172 grams of sterling silver around your neck, check out the metal cross earrings and rings from the label’s Exhalted collection.
Pleiosien
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Exploring playful shape and texture with its 3-D printed resin jewellery, emerging Melbourne label Pleiosien is a whimsigoth’s dream. While many pieces from the brand’s Speíra collection are easily wearable, I’m obsessed with the label’s bespoke runway collaborations with local designers, like the epic cybersigilism-inspired choker for Karlaidlaw and floral earrings for Sabatucci. Check them out.
Graedance
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Smooth, sculptural and made from recycled silver, Graedance describes its pieces as ‘adaptable armour’ for the body. Everything feels as considered as a work of art – think molten metal ear cuffs, cascading silver bead necklaces and chokers that appear to float above the neckline.
Moira x Mel
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Hailing from Tokyo and available exclusively at Distal Phalanx in Melbourne, Moira x Mel is romantic, handmade silver jewellery with an edge. Perfect for the soft goth, you’ll find unique pieces like the Feather Hair Clip made from sterling silver, and the Tranquility Bracelet, a chain of spiky hearts set with crystals and dangling with blue topaz.
Flora Bird
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New Zealand-born label Flora Bird is known for its intricate, hand-made chains that are anything but minimal. Working predominately in silver, you’ll find layered chain chokers, textural pendants and pops of colourful gemstones in Flora’s work. You know it’s punk when Ecca Vandal is a fan.
Underground Sundae
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Cult-loved jewellery label Underground Sundae is the brainchild of Melbourne-based designer, Annemieke Ytsma. Known for its nostalgic, often surrealist aesthetic, the brand creates unique, handmade pieces that incorporate found objects and reworked materials. Currently eyeing the Honey Necklace made with black recycled rhinestones, real freshwater and faux vintage Japanese pearls.
Sacreflux
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Another jeweller based out of Melbourne, Sacreflux makes rings and pendants that feel like relics pulled from a princess’s tomb. Using lost wax casting, designs play with Rococo curls and medieval claws to create jewellery that feels “a little bit cursed, a little bit divine” and definitely worthy of a statement look.
Discover more of our favourite local jewellers here.
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