THE ART OF MEMORY
Interview 16 June / Jewellery Feature
THE ART OF MEMORY
Designer Sally Herbert and Philippa Fergusson Words STL.YE.NO1
In a world driven by fleeting trends, the jewellery of Philippa Herbert Ltd. offers something far more lasting: memory made material. The female-founded brand, known for its intimate and deeply personal approach to design, brings a sense of soul to contemporary luxury. We spoke with the founders; sisters in law Sally Herbert and Philippa Fergusson about the roots of their creative process, their perspective on craftsmanship, and how they see their jewellery as more than adornment — as legacy.
1. Philippa Herbert Ltd. is rooted in the personal. Can you tell us about the story behind founding the brand?
Philippa Herbert was born out of a shared desire to celebrate life’s intimate milestones through artful design. We both came from backgrounds steeped in creativity — one attended Chelsea Art College, the other worked in advertising and both studied at The Courtauld Institute of Art and from there we trained at St. Martins — we wanted to create pieces that were as emotionally resonant as they were visually refined. It started with casting baby hands and feet and evolved into a full-fledged fine jewellery line that continues to carry our signature emphasis on storytelling and timeless ele- gance. Our goal is to create jewellery with meaning.
GEMSTONE RINGS - Cocktail Stacking
2. Your work often merges classical techniques with modern sensibilities. How do you balance tradition and innovation in your designs?
That balance is central to everything we do. We believe in crafts- manship — in the tactility and soul of a hand-finished object — but we’re also not afraid of modernity. Our designs often begin with a sketch, then a hand drawn rendered image, and then using current technologies and contemporary aesthetics we create a CAD (com- puter aided design) and then a resin using 3D printing for our client to try. The aim is always to honour history while still looking ahead.
CHAINS Solid 9ct Yellow Gold Bracelet
3. You contributed pieces to our editorial. What drew you to take part in a story so focused on female artistry and new beginnings?
The concept of Genesis — a beginning, a rebirth — aligns deeply
with our values. Jewellery often marks new chapters: births, loves, loss, legacy. And as a female-led business, we found resonance in celebrating the creative force of women. It felt natural to contribute to a project that elevates both art and emotion in a unified visual narrative
LARGE KNOT COCKTAIL RING - Pave Set Yellow surrounded by diamonds
4. How do you see your jewellery being worn? Who is the Philippa Herbert wearer?
Our clients are reflective and emotionally engaged with their jewellery. They don’t wear pieces simply to impress — they wear them to feel anchored, to carry stories with them. Whether it’s a bespoke signet, a modern ring which we have re-designed using inherited jewellery, or a hand engraved fingerprint that marks the birth of a child, our wearer values meaning and craftsmanship above all
WAVE STACK - 9ct White Gold, 18ct Gold And Diamonds
GREEN TOURMALINE - Surrounded By
Diamonds
5. What does legacy mean to you, both personally and creatively?
Legacy is everything. It’s not only about what you pass down but how you live now. In our work, we strive to create pieces that will last generations — only using solid gold, platinum or silver, our pieces hold memory and emotion, and which, we hope, will grow more beautiful with time. That’s the essence of what we do: crafting the tangible from the intangible.
JUNO RING - Central Square Octagon Stone And Two Trapeze Cut Side Stones
- ORIGINS OF VISIONS -
DREAMING ELI -
EXPLORE THE FULL FEATURE AND EDITORIAL IN OUR STORY HERE