5 QUICK QUESTIONS

Fabienne Costa, CEO & Creative Director of YCL Jewels

How did YCL Jewels come about?

I’ve been making jewellery since I was 13 years old. I went to a market stall one day where I saw a local designer selling her jewellery, and from that point on I couldn’t get the thought of making jewellery myself out of my mind. At the time I was just handmaking beaded pieces on my high school desk. Since then my designs have matured and are now more feminine and minimal. Who are you designing for?

For modern, mindful and sophisticated women. YCL women view their pieces as more than jewellery; they’re extensions of who they are and what they believe in. What was your inspiration for the new collection? And your favourite piece? The new Heirloom collection was inspired by my childhood and my nanny’s beloved jewellery collection. When I was young, I’d spend afternoons lying on my nanny’s bedroom floor fossicking through her jewellery boxes, absolutely fascinated with every piece and the stories behind them. Heirloom is an interpretation of pieces from the ages – pieces inspired by the stories told by the women close to us. My favourite piece in the collection would have to be the Heirloom necklace; I feel it’s the epitome of a classic timeless piece that is also a little edgy. What do you see being the biggest trends for jewellery this Winter 2019? More layering over turtlenecks and thicker winter garments. The contrast between a find gold necklace and a textured winter piece is so beautiful and complementing. The design process, from concept to creation, is you in your studio. Is YCL Jewels still a small local business?

We’re a small team based on the Gold Coast and we’re very hands-on across all facets of the business. Being small means we have total creative freedom, which I love. And while growth is important, ensuring the brand evolves in a way that is aligned with our values is vital. For us at YCL, it’s about finding that sweet spot where both the business and our team can thrive.