Melbourne-based jewellery label Love Lulu makes ultra-sweet keepsakes
IMAGE VIA @gemmachuatran
WORDS BY MAGGIE ZHOU
Love hearts galore.
While I’m a firm believer that every person is inherently creative, some people seem to drown in its excess. Melbourne-based creative Lutéce Ludbey is one of them. She’s a specialist makeup artist and the founder of Love Lulu, a three-year-old independent jewellery label. Hearts, flowers, coloured stones and organic shapes make up Lutéce’s signature style; joy is part of her label’s identity.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.
Jewellery is intimate, and what people choose to invest in and adorn their bodies with is often deeply personal. It’s why, for Lutéce, she’s most proud of herself for “making pieces that people love”. It’s as simple and as complex as that. Here, she talks to us about the challenges and pleasures of Love Lulu.
Tell us about you. What’s your fashion background?
Hi, I’m Lulu! I’m a jewellery designer living in Naarm/Melbourne. When I finished school I studied specialist makeup and so my background is definitely more in that area. However, I always felt a pull to jewellery and started making pieces for fun and it evolved from there.
View this post on Instagram
How did the label get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
I started a short course at Melbourne Polytechnic in Jewellery Design which I loved and then decided to do the two-year Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design. It was such an amazing course with so many wonderful people. I started Love Lulu in 2021, making things for my friends and myself.
I remember getting back my first casting and loved the exciting feeling. It’s so nice to look back on those pieces and see how much my jewellery has evolved. I have always [been] more creative than business-mind[ed]. I think the biggest challenge I have faced is costing. Jewellery can be really expensive, especially with the price of gold being so high. I am just learning to make sure I am charging for my time, it’s something I need to be more conscious of moving forward for sure.
View this post on Instagram
What were you trying to achieve from the project at the time? How has this evolved and what are you trying to communicate through the brand now?
When I started Love Lulu, I didn’t have any set goals, I was just so happy to be creating cute pieces. Now that it has evolved and become busier I have been able to take a step back from my full-time job. I have more flexibility in my life, it’s really great having a balance of jewellery and makeup work. It keeps me inspired and excited.
How would you describe your label to someone who’s never seen it before?
Fun, pretty, colourful and a lot of love hearts!
View this post on Instagram
What are you most proud of in your work on your label?
I’m proud of myself for making pieces that people love. It still blows my mind when I get messages saying how much they love [them] or thank [me] for making such a special gift for [a] friend. I have a few beautiful customers [who] have purchased maybe three to four pieces, and I still can’t believe that sometimes!
What do you wish you knew when you started?
View this post on Instagram
Ask more questions; it’s okay that you don’t know everything there is to know in the jewellery trade. Most people are happy to help and share their knowledge. I will make sure to pass this forward to anyone starting out [in] jewellery; I will always share what I know and be transparent.
Who do you think is most exciting in Australian fashion right now?
Mgn Jewellery will forever be one of my favourites. I think she is always ahead of the trends and her pieces are timeless. My friend Qatur – watch out for the new bags that are coming! They are going to be incredible.
View this post on Instagram
Dream Australian collaborators?
To do something with my sister Hello Sisi one day! She has always been my biggest inspiration and supporter and I think doing something cute together would be amazing.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
You can buy one of my pieces by sending me a message on Instagram!
Keep up to date with Love Lulu here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
