Andrew McKinney Welch shines bright

A GILDED FUTURE

With a name that’s just as synonymous with luxury as it is ingrained into the rich history of Brisbane, the McKinney family has been paving the way in exquisite jewellery design for over 138 years. Now, surrounded by family and armed with a wealth of knowledge from those that came before him, Andrew McKinney Welch launches his very own namesake brand, McKinney Welch Jewellery.

Andrew wears jewellery exclusively from McKinney Welch Jewellery, Talent’s own clothing and sneaker.

As a fifth generation McKinney descendant, you could say that Andrew McKinney Welch has a lot to live up to. And after being ingrained in the jewellery industry his whole life, it’s only natural that he would eventually be drawn to wearing and creating jewellery of his very own. “I wanted to stand out from the crowd and wear pieces that no one else had seen. This was a key reason for me creating the McKinney Welch brand. I had been searching for jewellery that I could wear formally in a work environment, but also in a casual way on the weekend. I was never able to find jewellery that suited my lifestyle, so I decided to do it my way,” he says.

From a young age, Andrew was drawn to design, always thinking outside the box and creating things for others to enjoy. It can be said that this intrinsic desire to create was first sparked after finishing high school and commencing work with his grandfather John McKinney and aunt, Margot McKinney. It was a special period in his life that would see Andrew journey the world in search of the perfect gemstones and diamonds, eventually culminating in a desire to create his very own aesthetic. So, armed with a Graduate Gemology Degree at the Gemological Institue of America (GIA) – one of the most prestigious credentials in the industry – the McKinney Welch brand was born.

“I developed the McKinney Welch brand to blend traditional fine jewellery styles with a clean, modern appeal. A combination of diamonds, coloured gemstones, and pearls, coupled with exceptional craftmanship, the brand comprises a sophisticated collection of versatile pieces of jewellery,” Andrew says. From cufflinks for the professional conquering the tech space, to Cuban link chains for the NBA press conference, the brand certainly has a stylish appeal for men looking to expand their wardrobe.

When it comes to the men who choose to adorn themselves in McKinney Welch Jewellery, Andrew hopes that his pieces will remind them of their accomplishments and successes in life. “Men have always looked for luxury items like cars or watches to mark milestones in life – jewellery is just an extension of that. My jewellery is for men who are sure of their style and aren’t afraid to make a statement or be bold. Most of the pieces in the collection can be worn as a set, with the two-tone gold combination in many of the rings and bracelets, you can easily style the pieces with your existing wardrobe,” he says.

Even in the early throws of a new business, Andrew is determined to lean on the four generations that came before him, carrying on the tradition of the business and always staying true to the core values of providing outstanding service and searching the globe for the finest gems. “I have always been enormously proud to be the fifth generation in our family business,” he says. But as for the future of his own venture? Just try and slow him down. “We are always looking forward to new and exciting trends to keep our collectors ahead of the game. We have some revolutionary designs in the pipeline at the moment that will allow you to wear your jewellery in a multitude of ways, whilst keeping the exceptional craftmanship of the McKinney Welch brand.”

MCKINNEY WELCH JEWELLERY MCKINNEYWELCH.COM

Andrew wears jewellery exclusively from McKinney Welch Jewellery, Polo Ralph Lauren Cable Knit Cashmere Sweater $699, Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Soft Knit Sports Coat $399, Polo Ralph Lauren Leather Roller Belt $99, Talent’s own T-shirt and chino.