Nicole Russell – Cherrymorris – Stand 4122
Clasped in the beak of the flying swallow are delicate twin chains. Attached to them is a rose. The imagery is exquisite. So is every handcrafted detail of the Rose and Swallow brooch. It is the work of an exciting new talent: Sydney jewellery and accessories designer Nicole Russell, who launched her label Cherrymorris a year ago with a collection of brooches and fine leather belts whose intricate designs, including angel wings, a peacock feather and a scarab beetle, are also used in versions small and large to stunning effect.
“I sculpt the designs in clay, cast them in pewter, then plate some of them in silver or brass,” explains the gifted 28-year-old who took a silversmithing course after leaving the University of Newcastle where she earned a first-class honours degree in industrial design. Little did her lecturers know she was seething with frustration. “I realised pretty quickly that I was drawn to style, not the technical aspects and there was a bit too much emphasis on computer work,” says Nicole. “I also like working with my hands and decided early I wanted to work on my own.”
Her first jewellery pieces were necklaces, then drawing mostly from nature, she designed her first collection and Cherrymorris – “a twist on Cherie and a tribute to a 1960 Morris Minor” – was born. Nicole plans to expand her range. Handbags will probably come next. Watch out for them.