International focus on young jewellery designer

LEXI LANDSMAN

NICOLE Fendel started making jewellery on her bedroom floor. In just five years, the self-taught jewellery designer is now designing jewellery for Princess Mary of Denmark, has model Kristy Hinze wearing her earrings on Project Runway Australia, and already has an international following.

“It’s been such a whirlwind, sometimes I have to pinch myself and say this is actually happening,” Melbourne-based Fendel, 29, says when we meet in Sydney, where she is one of the designers taking part in the Little Paddington Laneway Festival.

With blonde hair and large blue eyes, the humble and unassuming jewellery designer admits she’s still adjusting to the growth of Nicole Fendel Jewellery (NFK) in such a short time.

“I started with nothing,” Fendel explains. “I had $100 to buy beads and I starting making a few bits and pieces for myself and friends, and it started from there.”

It was an interesting foray into jewellery design for Fendel, who was working successfully as a commercial interior architect for a large firm in Melbourne. Born in South Africa, Fendel moved to Perth in 1982, and to Melbourne six years ago.

After receiving some cold calls from people who had seen the few pieces she had designed for friends, she made the difficult decision to quit her job and try her hand at designing jewellery instead of interiors.

“It was a huge decision. I thought, ‘I’m young, I’ve got the opportunity, I’m getting orders and I’m not even advertising, so if I put 110 percent of my energy into this, lets see where

I can take it.’ I have not looked back. I have been so busy ever since that day.”

Indeed, since launching NFJ three years ago, Fendel has no reason to have any regrets about her career change. Fendel has recently returned from a trip around Europe, which ushered in more good news.

During her trip, she stopped in Denmark to discuss her plans for a global, corporate social responsibility eco project, Rings For Life, for which she was handpicked to design jewellery pieces. Every bracelet sold will plant 10 trees around the world.

One of the project’s spokespersons is Princess Mary, who commissioned Fendel to create a custom-designed piece for her and possibly a miniature version for her daughter.

Looking ahead, apart from her jewellery ranges, Fendel is also creating an accessories range and might branch out even further, possibly looking at organic apparel as well. After spending time in Israel, Fendel is also looking at creating a kaballah range for Summer 2011.

“It’s taken off this year,” beams Fendel. “It’s in full throttle now. I never thought it was possible what I’ve achieved in such a small amount of time.”

For more information, visit www.nicolefendel.com.