MY LIGHT BULB MOMENT

Jewellery designer Dinny Hall

Dinny HALL, 57, founded her jewellery label more than three decades ago — a hit with celebrities from Liz Hurley to Kristin Scott Thomas. She lives in London with her partner Piers, a literary agent GROWING UP, I was a magpie, drawn to anything that twinkled. At seven, I bought a brooch at a jumble sale for 20p: it was vintage Cartier, studded with diamonds and rubies. My mother made me return it, but it inspired a love for beautiful jewellery; I sketched fantasy creations.

I studied a jewellery design degree at Central Saint Martins. In my final year, aged 21, I created a collection inspired by a holiday to Turkey. A buyer from Liberty bought the lot.

That was my light-bulb moment. I realised it was more than a passion project — it could be a career. It was the catalyst I needed. I’d been waitressing, but I was now determined to make a name for myself.

It took two years to launch my business, securing a government loan and a workshop in Soho. I made experimental jewellery for designer friends to use on the catwalk. In 1986 supermodel Christy Turlington wore my earrings on the cover of Elle. Business exploded.

Four years after launching, the British Fashion Council awarded me Accessory Designer of the Year. In 1992 I sold half the business to fund my first store in London. Lots of celebrities came — Madonna was one of my first customers.

But by 1995 I’d fallen out with my business partner and spent the next five years in a legal battle to buy them out. In 2000, I regained control, but it was a wake-up call. I had to make sensible decisions.

I have five stores, with two opening soon. It takes energy to keep up with the pace of fashion. And I’m still grateful to the Liberty buyer who took a risk and changed my life.