insideKENT Magazine Issue 74 - May 2018 | Page 126

FASHION+BEAUTY
Kent Business Owner Profile
INTERVIEW WITH CLARE CARLSON OF
VAROSHE BESPOKE JEWELLERY
Clare Carlson and Paul Towens
Tell us a bit about Varoshe
Bespoke Jewellery.
Paul and I have worked together since 2004,
and became a couple soon afterwards. We
have always worked brilliantly together, in
business and at home, and with Paul’s superb
making skills and my attention to detail we
seem to make the perfect team.
At Varoshe we specialise in handmade
bespoke jewellery and redesigning old pieces.
I work closely with my clients to help create
that emotional connection that we all feel with
our jewellery. I truly believe that jewellery is
more than just an adornment – it is a symbol
of who we are. It signifies the journeys and
connections we have made throughout our
lives, whether it be a wedding ring, or a piece
inherited from a loved one.
I always try to design with empathy, by
listening and interpreting our clients’ thoughts
and feelings to create that perfect piece that
will be passed down through the generations.
As well as offering the bespoke design
service, our new showroom will house
handmade pieces of jewellery and silverware
from various designers, showcasing the very
best in British and international design talent.
We have an extensive range of silver jewellery
too, for those little (but still special) presents.
What made you choose West Malling for
your flagship store?
Paul has lived in Kent his whole life and when
we began talking about starting our own
business, West Malling was at the top of our
list of possible locations. We looked at other
areas but kept coming back to this beautiful
town as nothing else quite lived up to it. I love
the community spirit and the eclectic mix of
independent shops.
When we found our premises it was like
a dream come true. It has been a huge amount
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of work to restore our beautiful old building,
but everyone has been so supportive and the
atmosphere in the town is brilliant. After more
than a year of building work we finally opened
our doors on Saturday, 21st April and could
not be more thrilled!
Tell us more about your handcrafted
jewellery. Can your clients come in with
custom design requests?
Absolutely! I love nothing more than to sit
down with a client to discuss the one-of-a-
kind piece that they want to have made.
Sometimes you might have a very clear image,
sometimes you have no idea at all, but it
doesn’t matter, it is up to us to get to know
your likes and dislikes and your style so that
we can design something you will love. It is
for this reason that we have built a consultation
area in our new showroom, so that we can sit
down with a client, over a cup of tea, and start
the process of designing that perfect piece of
jewellery.
We also specialise in redesigning old
pieces that are not getting the attention they
deserve. Everyone has a piece of jewellery that
they have either inherited or fallen out of love
with. It is such a shame to leave it in a
cupboard somewhere. It deserves to be
redesigned so that it can be worn again. Not
everyone’s style is the same, it would be dull
if it was, but the beauty of jewellery is that it
can be changed into something that is
‘perfectly you’ without having to lose the
sentiment behind the original piece. After all,
“you are unique, your jewellery should be too!”
are a little bit different from the big jewellery
companies of other High Streets. We want to
promote and celebrate our incredible trade
and showcase not only established designers
but also emerging ones.
It will be a privilege to encourage those
just setting out in the industry. We know how
tough it is to start up on your own, especially
after the intensity of a university degree course,
so we would love to help new designers if we
can. Paul actually studied at Medway College
of Art (now the University of the Creative Arts),
in Rochester, so it feels good to help the next
generation of local designers.
What sets you apart from other jewellers?
Our service! We have put a lot of work in to
building our business so that it focusses on
the process as well as the final product. In the
age of the internet I can’t help feeling that
shopping has now become a little cold, we
have lost that interaction with the products
we buy and the craftsmen who make them. I
want to try and bring that back. I want to turn
buying a piece of jewellery into a bespoke
experience for our clients, as I believe the
journey of creating your perfect piece is just
as important as the final item.
Varoshe Bespoke Jewellery
2 West Street
West Malling
ME19 6QX
www.varoshe.com
varoshebespokejewellery
Will you be looking to work with and
promote local talented designers as well?
We would love to work with local designers!
We are already home to some truly talented
designer/makers, which is why I believe we
varoshe_bespokejewellery