A Journey of Design at Laings

Putting on a beautiful piece of jewellery every day should be for you and nobody else. It should make you stand a little bit taller and feel elevated, that is how I want people to feel when they wear my designs. It should make you feel not only like yourself, but the very best version of yourself.

FELICITY LYNDEN IS ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST STARS OF LAINGS FLOURISHING DESIGN HOUSE. Felicity took her first steps into the industry during work experience in a jeweller’s workshop. There, she fell in love with the craftsmanship and skill it took to make her first-ever piece of jewellery — a silver bracelet. She went on to study the foundations of jewellery design at Edinburgh School of Art, creating and establishing her unique identity as a designer before she joined Laings. Her talent was quickly recognized, leading to mentoring within the business and turning her design education into a fully-fledged practice.

Now, Felicity works with clients to bring jewellery dreams to life. Known for her romantic designs, exuberant personality and impassioned processes, a design story with Felicity is the very essence of bespoke at Laings.

Tell us about how you approach the design process?

Most people come in with a narrative in mind. I love when there is a message behind the pieces that I design, so I always start with the story. I’ll ask — do you have any existing jewellery you love? Do you like coloured gemstones? You have three children, let’s have three diamonds? I draw on their history, personality, and journey to adapt my design principles to each piece of jewellery.

What has been a favourite project to work on?

I was part of a team that designed a brooch for the Carers Trust for Princess Anne, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, and it was a project that I really enjoyed the process of. There were lots of elements to draw inspiration from, for example The Princess Royal’s deep interest in boats. One design that I first came up with but was never used was a boating knot and that was turned into a simple brooch pin design. I have only ever done a pencil sketch of it, but I thought it was beautiful.

How do you balance creativity and function when designing?

Because I think everything we design should be worn, I do like to prioritise the practicality of our pieces, but just because something is functional does not mean that it cannot be beautiful. Sometimes we meet with clients and have to ask ourselves — we can make it, but should we make it? So, we must ere on the side of function a lot of the time. It is mostly about taking into account client’s lifestyle and designing a piece to fit with their every day. Our aim is to show a client exactly what they need and explain the rationale behind every single decision, which will mean the piece can stand the test of time.

What would you say to a jewellery designer at the beginning of their journey?

I really benefitted from working in a range of areas in the industry — from Laings showrooms to the workshops that I interned in as a teenager. It is helpful to gain first-hand experience with clients and hearing their feedback on why they do or do not like specific elements of jewellery, like setting styles, metals, stones — it helps to shape our designs through lived insight. Spending time in a workshop and understanding the fundamentals of how the pieces are made is important too, so you can grasp the parameters of design, and how far we can push them. The overarching advice is to just keep learning; learn from every department and everyone around you — no two designs are the same and you need to remain curious to understand the ever-evolving process.

If you had to pick one thing you love most about working for Laings, what would it be?

I am so happy to work for a company that is driven by passion over profit. If a client come in with a piece they are looking to remodel and I do not feel comfortable taking it apart because it will compromise it, I can say no. That is what is unique about Laings.

Laings have been purveyors of fine jewellery and luxury watches since 1840 and their Bespoke Jewellery Design Service allows you to explore your imagination, making jewellery dreams a reality. Every piece of bespoke jewellery is a work of art, crafted through the vision of you and a dedicated Laings jewellery designer, whose years of artistic training and expertise will take you on a journey of creation. Laings design team will help you bring to life your occasion by blending an understanding of the sentimental side of jewellery with a design philosophy of beauty and grace. Start your design journey at Laings:

72 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3BX 0131 225 4513

46-50 Argyll Arcade, Glasgow, G2 8BG 0141 221 7199