A GLOBAL GEM

JEWELLERY DESIGNER KIRSTEN GOSS CREATES PIECES THAT READ BOTH AFRICAN AND INTERNATIONAL, AND ARE SUITABLE FOR OCCASIONS SPANNING FROM SPECIAL EVENTS TO EVERYDAY GLAMOUR

HAVING STARTED HER BUSINESS FROM A SMALL STUDIO in London, Kirsten has built it into an internationally renowned brand. Her vast client list spans from Hollywood actresses such as Sarah Jessica Parker and American singer Nicole Scherzinger to British actress Rosamund Pike. The eponymous jewellery design company specialises in pieces that are designed by Kirsten and manufactured by an inhouse team of goldsmiths, using a variety of unusual gemstones and fine metals. She’s developed the Signature Collection of timeless classics that are exclusively made to order, and then over the years offered themed ranges, such as OXO, which celebrated the decadence of the 80s, and Tokyo, which was an ode to minimalist architecture and aesthetics. In 2019, Kirsten expanded the company’s offering to include the ABODE collection of brass and sterling silver homeware which includes spoons, pickle forks and salad servers, as well as scented candles, soaps and stationery. Her creative eye and business acumen have helped the brand garner recognition as Most Beautiful Object in South Africa at Design Indaba in 2012 for her Lily Pad Ring, Entrepreneur of the Year at the SA Business Awards in 2014, and Kirsten being named one of 100 World Class South Africans by City Press in 2017.

“I have an amazingly interesting family from an art and business perspective. My mum and her mother inspired my thirst for quality, quirk and aesthetic, while my dad and his mum ensured the drive, discipline and business aspect remained alive and well. I don’t mention my grandfathers as they sadly passed away before I could learn from them directly. But they left impressive, pioneering legacies which are equally inspirational.

A geeky element to an artistic endeavour made studying jewellery design my idea of heaven. A friend told me that they had a degree in jewellery design from the University of Stellenbosch. I was already pretty keen on studying at that university in the first place, so the fact they had an academic course in something so unusual was really fascinating to me. I had studied chemistry at school so the gemmology aspect made it a perfect fit.

Never take no from someone who isn’t authorised to say yes in the first place. This is a piece of advice that I try to follow.

Design and gem sourcing are the favourite parts of my work, but I do also love the marketing and the business side – even though it takes up an extraordinary amount of time.

In my ideal creative environment, I need everything to be super neat, clean and aesthetically appealing. I really can’t work unless these things are in place, so I first need to create spaces that feel deeply appealing ahead of working at my desk.

Great pieces of art have taken me on so many mental journeys. But it’s a Rothko that I saw in the MoMA in New York that really shook me the youngest and earliest in memory.

Big goals we’re chasing right now include some new production studios and a really exciting new couture fine collection.” ■

QUICK-FIRE FAVOURITES

Brunch spot: Clarke’s in Cape Town. Weekend getaway: Coot Club in Stanford in the Western Cape. Inspiring quote: “Everything in moderation, including moderation” – Oscar Wilde.

Recent read: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Music: Agar Agar radio on Spotify.

BORN FROM DEEP SARTORIAL ROOTS, Dolce&Gabbana has always embraced a gentleman’s discerning selection of elegance, craftsmanship and character in his wardrobe choices. This, coupled with the luxury fashion house’s respect for time, tradition and innovation, Sartoria Made to Measure offers an exceptional tailoring experience for the man who wants to stand out in the crowd.

For many years, designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have set the trend in men’s fashion through the Dolce&Gabbana couture and ready-towear ranges. Sartoria Made to Measure has since expanded the Dolce&Gabbana offering to include a bespoke tailoring service that allows its clients to match their personal taste to Dolce&Gabbana’s iconic quality and refinement.

The journey began when Domenico Dolce, who was inspired by his father revealing to him the hidden realm of tailoring within a carefully made jacket – “an invisible world