FAITH Hilda Quek OF FAITH JEWELS
Faith is an artisan of love and a weaver of dreams – turning precious gems into beautiful visions of love; interpreting every emotion into meaningful designs with a story behind each jewel.Inspired by the old world elegance of renaissance age and the opulent detailing of baroque architecture, Faith’s jewellery style evokes true romanticism with a strong art deco influence.Keeping true to her values and a respect for the basics, she strikes a harmony in her designs between prestige and authenticity.
Each creation is the birth of a story unique to one.
What is a stand out moment in shaping your brand?
When we won an international design award in Italy for the Freedom Collection in 2018, a design series inspired by a strong mother who first wanted a ring that represented hers (and her children’s) freedom, after years of domestic violence, her story so touched me, and was a clear stand out moment that shaped how I looked at the Faith Jewels brand. It helped me recognise how jewellery can speak a language on such a personal level and be a voice to remind and raise awareness in ways I never imagined. It was that humbling moment I knew I had to keep creating and telling each story from the heart.
What designs or creative work has you excited right now?
Apart from several colourful private commissions, recently completed a League of Legends bridal set for a couple whose love blossomed over the multiplayer online battle arena video game recognised as the most played video game in the world with over 100 million players every month. But for players to find love on a gaming site and them allowing myself to create their forever rings, has been truly exciting and humbling. Using details on their Champion skins (like an avatar) from the crown/ tiara and the sword, details were uniquely extracted and transformed into the engagement ring which continues into the wedding bands.
The rings still look timeless and beautiful from every angle and yet hold unique details only the couple are acutely aware of.
Describe yourself and your designs to us?
I enjoy being understated and simple in style, with strong unique accents of fine jewellry in every outfit that lends itself to my mood for the day. Every unique design is a synthesis of the beauty that I behold in romance, magic, mystery, nature, art and architecture. The dream is for each jewel to carry an elegance and an intelligence that reflects its wearer.
How did it all begin for your brand?
Trained as an architect, I started working part time as a coffee girl in a jewellery company to make ends meet and slowly worked my way up in the production team to be responsible for overseeing the development of pieces from illustration to production. The process fascinated me and after over ten years working at various jewellers in Sydney and Melbourne, I had enough of the fine jewellery retail scene.
With a young daughter in tow, my husband and I wanted a complete sea change and we moved to overseas and started a small restaurant. During that time, an old friend from architecture school reached out and asked me to create his engagement ring. I turned him down saying I don’t work for a jeweller any more. Sorry. He was incredulous and rebuked me, looking me in the eye and said, ‘But you know EVERYTHING! I really need you to create this design in my mind and I know only you can do it. Open your own company. Start.’ So I made him the very first Faith Jewels ring. And she said yes.
What excites you about the year ahead?
This year saw us creating custom made jewels for the beautiful ladies at the Logies, Brownlow and Dally M awards and the design journey has inspired the soon to be revealed Celestial Collection in the works for next year. Also working on some exciting collaborations with new clients who have reached out from as far as Canada, and the Middle East countries to create bespoke jewels unique to their culture.
What do you love most about the end of year holiday break?
As a family, we often travel spontaneously and jump on a plane to explore a new country together during the end of the year. It’s the perfect time to turn off the phone and be with family to create special memories with my two children.
What advice do you have for emerging designers?
It is no walk in the park. Regardless of initial capital, establishing an attractive and trustworthy brand image is particularly paramount to the success of building a design brand. Be patient but persistent with your efforts as all good things take time.