Melbourne label Kieroy is making high-quality jewellery with a twist
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Victoria Zschommler
WORDS BY CAIT EMMA BURKE
“From a design aspect, I really wanted to position myself between the artist jeweller and the high street jeweller.”
While for some businesses the pandemic spelled disaster, for Melbourne-based jeweller Kieran Jackson, losing work in the hospitality sector meant it was an opportune time to scale up his jewellery label, Kieroy. “During the second lockdown, I quit my job, got a studio and went full-time into my own business. Thankfully I already had the building blocks of Kieroy and everyone was ready to spend their money during the lockdowns,” he tells us.
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Now, Kieroy is firmly established in the Australian jewellery scene and has a devoted customer base who love his well-made, classic “with a twist” creations. In the next few months, he’ll be opening his first ever brick-and-mortar store, where you can try his designs on in person and there’ll “always be a pot of coffee on in the am and a cork being pulled in the pm”. Below, he shares the journey so far.
Tell us about you. What’s your fashion/jewellery background?
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Hi, I’m Kieran. I design and make jewellery under the name Kieroy. I moved to Melbourne just before my 21st birthday to study jewellery making at NMIT [now called Melbourne Polytechnic]. Afterwards, during my only semester at RMIT, I was lucky enough to have met my great friend Bella Clark. We both dipped our toes into the jewellery world together, creating jewellery under the label of Building Two for a number of collections.
I was lucky enough to do an internship with Lucy Folk that soon turned into a full-time role for over four years. This is where I cut my teeth – sampling, prototyping, gold production, repairs, etc.
How did the label get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
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Kieroy has softly been floating around for a decade or so. It has always been my Instagram handle, my nickname and I’ve forever made jewellery for my friends. Covid was the real kicker for Kieroy though. For the few years leading up to 2020, I was moving towards wine and hospitality, working a vintage in Italy, doing wine studies and pouring lots of wine in some great venues.
Covid really threw the joys and stability of hospitality into the air. During the second lockdown, I quit my job, got a studio and went full-time into my own business. Thankfully I already had the building blocks of Kieroy and everyone was ready to spend their money during the lockdowns.
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?
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At the time, I was just trying to support myself and be my own boss. I have great pride in the pieces I make and I didn’t see why I couldn’t use that to build something for myself and to dictate my own work-life balance.
From a design aspect, I really wanted to position myself between the artist jeweller and the high street jeweller. I like the classics; I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel but I want to present high-quality, well-made pieces with a twist.
How would you describe your label to someone who’s never seen it before?
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Cute but tuff.
What are you most proud of in your work on your label?
My proudest moment is coming in the next month or so when I open my first brick-and-mortar store. This is something that I thought was going to take me a lot longer to achieve, so I’m pretty stunned that it’s happening. I’m really excited to welcome and host everyone in this space – it’s pretty beautiful. I’m still operating from my Brunswick studio for now though.
What do you wish you knew when you started?
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I expect perfection for all of my pieces, and that will never change but having that expectation for the rest of my business is really limiting. Not every picture or post is going to be the prettiest but you just have to put yourself out there. I also wish I knew how supportive and wonderful all my clients would be. They make business and life very easy.
Dream Australian collaborators?
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Working on my shop fit-out with architect Pete Stasios and furniture maker Marcello Rotar has been really inspiring. The thought has always been in the back of my mind but this process has got me excited to explore other materials and partners in a homewares or objects-based practice. Maybe some lighting or glass would be fun.
Who is in your wardrobe right now?
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There’s a running joke that I never take my Sister Studios hoodie off, so that’s a winter staple. Other than that I’ve got a few new pairs of pants from Han Kjøbenhavn which I’m obsessed with for their fit and comfort.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
Currently online or book a time to come into my Brunswick studio. Come try some jewellery on!
Anything else to add?
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Keep your eyes peeled for when I open the shop. There will always be a pot of coffee on in the am and a cork being pulled in the pm, plus some pretty special jewels.
Browse Kieroy’s range here.
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