Her Magazine is New Zealand’s only women’s business lifestyle magazine! Her Magazine highlights the achievements of successful and rising New Zealand businesswomen. Her Magazine encourages a healthy work/life balance.
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/121360
Nikki Partridge Jeweller Designer, Partridge Jewellers You're the first in your family to create collections of jewellery. What is your latest collection or project that you are working on? My latest collection is Halo, a collection of rings, pendants and earrings with white diamonds and various tones of cognac diamonds. I'm also working on a new collection, inspired by a trip to Morocco that I've recently come back from. I spent time travelling through the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains and the scenery was just beautiful. What pieces of jewellery should women indulge in this year? What do you predict will be the latest trend in jewellery? Classic is always trendy. You can't go wrong if you keep this in mind when choosing a piece of jewellery. A quality timeless piece can be worn forever and handed down through the family. Then it comes down to what metal flatters you, what gemstone colours you love and what style suits your personality. What's your favourite piece of jewellery that you own or that you have designed? My favourite piece is a gold and diamond bangle given to me on my 21st birthday and engraved with "Love Mum". What are your other passions that you involve yourself in other than jewellery and design? More than anything, I love to travel. Whether it's a plane trip or a road trip, I always find it exciting. Design is never far from my thoughts though and it's usually when I'm away that new ideas come to mind. You're obviously a busy lady, in your spare time how do you treat yourself? I like to spend my spare time with family and friends in a low key kind of way such as a casual meal together or going to the beach. You studied and specialised in 3D design. How does this technology set you apart in your jewellery design? I spent three years at the jewellery bench, experimenting with materials and learning how to manufacture. This has been important in understanding what's possible and what rules can be broken when it comes to design. I was encouraged to make very contemporary and conceptual jewellery, the kind you would see in galleries. Now that I'm designing for Partridge Jewellers, my style is more classic but I constantly think how I can push the boundaries to create timeless pieces that are also unique and modern. Why do you think Partridge Jewellers has been able to succeed for so long? Our customers trust us and they recommend us to their family and friends. We've had customers who bought their engagement ring from one of my grandfather's shops and they came back to us for a 60th wedding anniversary piece. We've stayed true to our product and never compromised on quality and this is now known throughout the country. What has each generation brought to the business that has made it unique/ contributed to its success? I'm the sixth generation, with the first being James Partridge who started the business in 1876 when he settled in New Zealand. Since then, each generation has responded to the market conditions of the time and has moved the business forward but I'll keep this short as I could talk for hours about my family and their involvement in the jewellery industry. Now my father Grant owns the business. He has moved the company to an international level and I intend to continue this. 1. Why did you choose to continue in the family line of business working for Partridge Jewellers? There are a combination of reasons which has meant that working for Partridge Jewellers is simply the perfect fit for me. I know the jewellery industry from growing up in it and a lot of my memories revolve around the business in some way or another. I also love art and design and I've always loved doing anything creative. I also studied commerce and I like business, especially ours as it has my family history connected to it. 2. 3. 1. $44,200.00 18ct rose and white gold, large circular design, marquise and brilliant, white and champagne fancy diamond pendant. 2.$6995.00 18ct rose and white gold, white and champagne, marquise and brilliant cut diamonds fancy ring. 3. Halo ring: $27,500.00 18ct rose and white gold large, dome shaped, marquise and brilliant, white and champagne fancy diamond. www.h e rmagaz in e .co.n z | 49 www.h e rmagaz in e .co.n z