SUSAN DRIVER, JEWELLERY DESIGNER

“Creating and building Susan Driver as a brand embodies everything I love, drawing, creating and manipulating silver and gold into classic, bespoke and contemporary jewellery pieces. As an architect I saw design become structure, it was a natural eventual progression in jewellery design and the joy I receive from constructing pieces by hand.”

Susan Driver draws inspiration from travel, art, fashion, architecture and beauty in everything.Within the collections are pieces drawn from a timeless elegance, to pieces with edge that seek statement dressing. Pieces that celebrate a woman with a confidence and comfort in her skin that shines.

Susan Driver exists for those who cherish and enjoy unique moments. Each piece is handcrafted with the individual in mind to create these moments in time.  Individuality and strength are embraced through the collections from the individual sourcing of metals and stones and realised in each and every piece.

Lovingly and meticulously made in studio, Yugar Australia.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF AND YOUR DESIGNS. WHAT INSPIRES AND DRIVES YOU?

As an architect, the design and construct aspect of jewellery design really attracted me. I find my influences all around me from art, architecture and travel, and my pieces are designed by what I like and what I enjoy physically making. From concept to design, how everything translates and manifests into the final piece or collection can be quite removed from the original concept.

TELL US ABOUT HOW SUSAN DRIVER JEWELLERY WAS BORN?

I had a small boutique firm as a sole practitioner and I was a mother - I had two babies 17 months apart. I was constantly going to job sites with a baby on my hip trying to assert myself with contractors and it honestly became exhausting. During this time my mother passed away so despite being offered the opportunity to design three bespoke homes which would have established my name, I think I just ran out of puff.  Twelve months later, I started at the Institute of Art then moved on to a private goldsmith school in Brisbane. It could have simply been a hobby but I couldn’t help myself.

About four years ago now, with no background in selling or marketing, I launched the Susan Driver brand. At the time, I didn’t really establish myself as a brand as I’m not naturally a strong salesperson or inclined to talk about myself. I am excited now to be doing a mini relaunch of my brand. I am focussing on paring back what I want the brand to be - I want to reclaim my brand and what it represents.

WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST CHALLENGING AS A DESIGNER?

One of the most challenging aspects of shaping Susan Driver Jewellery was struggling to find my tribe. I just want to make beautiful pieces each with their own handcrafted character. Each providing their owner a glimpse in time. I think running this as an individual is challenging, it can be lonely and you can crave a sound board. I do envy partnerships such as Camilla and Marc, the original Sass and Bide. But I am an only child so maybe it was meant to be!

WHAT DESIGN CONCEPTS ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

I have picked up some beautiful Mother of Pearl and I’m going back to a very limited edition range. There may be up to ten pieces of a style in a collection, this is still being conceptualised and shaped.

TELL US ABOUT SOME AMAZING COLLABORATIONS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED?

Last year, I had the amazing experience of providing my pieces to feature in the Camilla closing show at Sydney Fashion Week 2018. It was an intense experience providing 45 design pieces across two weeks, but a truly rewarding feeling watching them feature in the show. I also supplied pieces for two additional shows - Melbourne Fashion Week and Perth Telstra Fashion Festival.

I have also recently collaborated some amazingly talented stylists and photographers including on a shoot in Palm Springs. These collaborations and my latest collections are featured on my website www.susandriver.com.au

WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN THE STUDIO, WHAT DO YOU LOVE TO DO? 

If I had no commitments I would be working in my yard getting the planting right, keeping the vegetable patch in order and working with our new calves. I would definitely go on daily walks with our dog Buster and maybe even knock off a few books. Any beach time is a bonus!

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CHALLENGES FOR BESPOKE DESIGNERS RIGHT NOW?

I think whether to wholesale or not is a really big challenge operationally. I am seeing a lot of brands jumping into their own flagship stores to redirect traffic they are missing online.  Wholesale can be a great way to market your pieces, but when the pieces are made my hand locally it is really had to chase back your labour costs and whilst a labour of love would be lovely it won’t buy more silver. 

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW?

I see the slow fashion and sustainable movement gathering greater momentum and carving a definitive place in fashion. I personally have worked to be sustainable in our metals sources and products. For example, we use brass, which is highly sustainable as it is recycled, therefore I won’t seal mine as it introduces another step if it is recycled. I am also investigating our packaging and postage options to see what I can implement to adopt greater sustainable practices.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR EMERGING DESIGNERS? 

I think go slow, know your market, don’t go heavy until you have cashflow and shop around if you are looking for PR or Agency support. Don’t forget why you started and who you are designing for, and most importantly be true to what you love to do.

SUSAN DRIVER

Visit and shop Susan Driver online.