MILAN: Milan is more nostalgic for me. Some of my best friends and family are still there so I go back quite frequently. Since my best friend moved back my hang­outs have revolved around Brera. There are so many great little restaurants/ bars there. The restaurant in Corso Como is a favourite. The menu is fab and there is a great atmosphere.

IN THE BEGINNING: My late grandmother was the matriarch of my family. She was a psychoanalyst and totally married to her work – she was still working until 4 days before her death. She is one of my muses and probably the most glamorous woman I know. Aside of life values and morals, she taught me about style. Since I can remember she had cut her shocking white hair into a sleek bob, smoked 3 cigarettes a day and showed off her phenomenal body in La Perla bikinis each summer. She was totally passionate about the arts and music, fashion and jewellery included. I remember shopping with her was like a lesson; she was ruthless in her critique, but lavish in compliments and generosity. I miss her a lot.

CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS: It seems to be ‘toute a la rage’ to bitch about CSM, but I LOVED it. It was my first real taste of freedom outside of my Cheshire country­side school bubble. I arrived on day one (I was wearing white jeans which I still get teased for), holding my giant portfolio like a nervous schoolgirl. I bumped into a girl on the stairs with a fabulously shaved head, wearing a wedding dress and a fetish dog collar. Needless to say, I ditched the white jeans. I did a foundation course and then BA jewellery. I was always an ‘A’ student in school, but if I am honest I never really challenged myself. CSM taught me push myself beyond what was expected. I learnt what ‘all­nighters’ were pretty quickly. I worked very hard and was lucky to win a handful of competitions throughout my time at CSM (Cartier, Swarovski, Runway Award, International Talent Support). I’m naturally competitive and work best when under pressure, so I really thrived in the high­pressure work environment.

TOPSHOP OR CHANEL:​ Honestly, neither. My new love is the brand ‘Ports 1961’ – the lookbook is currently in my room with almost all the pages folded down. My friend is designing there and they are working on some very cool things – definitely a brand to keep your eye on. My flatmate Krystina has just finished her MA in Womenswear at CSM so I’m currently raiding her fitting rails before going out. I love the silhouettes of her garments, her aesthetic really appeals to me.

ONLINE SHOPPING: Natalie Massenet of Net­-A-­Porter is a big inspiration. I read an article recently, predicting that whereas web­based market sales will grow dramatically in the next 5 years, sales at traditional stores are predicted to fall over the same period. These kinds of disruptions are very exciting for young designers like myself. It finally feels as though the old model of this industry is starting to adapt. I love online browsing because I’m a meticulous researcher, but I’m tactile – I need to feel materials and try pieces on to decide if I really like them. I use Colette and Opening Ceremony for inspiration, mostly on instagram.

GEM STYLE: Eclectic. I’m not a jewellery snob. Perhaps it is odd, but I actually wear very little jewellery. Pieces I am lusting after are bespoke designs from my friends. I would also swoon for some Cartier Art Deco era pieces and the pieces that Salvador Dali made. I recently re­discovered Elsa Peretti’s bone cuff, that piece is definitely on my birthday list.

FIRST JEWELLERY: My first significant jewellery memory is of me as a little girl trying on my mother’s diamond ring. This piece is family heirloom passed down from my great­grandmother; it survived her time in a concentration camp in Indonesia during WW2. My great grandmother had an exceptional jewellery collection, some of which she smuggled into the prison of war camp in a little bag she hid around her waist. She kept my grandfather alive by bribing the Japanese prison guards with priceless pieces of jewellery in exchange for a glass of milk. This stunning solitaire diamond was one of the few pieces that she was able to hold onto.

FASHION JEWELLERY: I love bijoux. Whenever I’m in a new country, one of my favourite activities is scouring the local markets and bartering for tit­bits. A few years ago I found a hand cast silver lighter case with amethysts in Ubud, Bali. The collection Delfina Delletrez did for Kenzo a few years ago was so fun, I have the huge orange+walnut earrings and wear them all the time. I think Camille Miceli at Dior does a great job on their fashion collection.

JEWELLERY TRENDS: I am passionate about the intersection between jewellery and technology – particularly in luxury. I’m not necessarily talking about gadgets or the apple Watch – watch this space… This is my next baby.

HAUTE JOAILLERIE: I discovered the meaning of Haute Joaillerie when I interned at Lorenz Baumer in Place Vendome, Paris. Haute Joaillerie is crafted in the highest quality materials and gemstones and assembled with exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. When I was in Place Vendome, I was fortunate to be introduced to one of the best stone dealer’s there. My visit to Bris’ studio left me reeling. He opened casket after casket of some of the most amazing opals and emeralds I have ever seen. I was holding opals the size of my fist… Objects this beautiful have a seductive power – they leave you in awe.

MY EVERYDAY JEWELLERY: I wear black a lot and I like clean silhouettes, so I inject colour into my outfits with jewellery and accessories. I wear the opal collar from my ‘2050’ collection all the time. It’s the perfect day to evening piece.