Lucy Pilkington (left) and Jasmin Scott (right), co-founders of BON. Photographed by Ruby Gregory.
Lucy Pilkington began BON – a modern and meaningful children’s jewellery brand – with business partner and long-time friend Jasmin Scott of Jasmin Sparrow with the intention of creating emotional connections through sentimental gifting.
BON wasn’t conceived as a product fit to fill a gap in the market, rather as a means of building traditions with our loved ones. Each charm signifies a childhood memory, milestone, or moment soldering the wearer to their loved ones. As we trace through the defining moments of Lucy and Jasmin’s friendship, you can see the roadmap of BON and everything it stands for in plain sight. For these two women, collaborating on BON wasn’t by chance, it was inevitable.
Offering a refreshing perspective on creative blocks, making time for female friendship, and beginning a brand that’s unconcerned by trends, Lucy’s words are a tonic for those of us who find ourselves in multidisciplinary roles and/or busy lives and in need of a reminder of what our time and memories mean to those we care about.
Read on below to discover why Lucy is a forever Friday Muse.
Lucy Pilkington with sons Bon (2yo) and Léon (6mo). Photographed by Ruby Gregory.
Where did you grow up and where are you currently based?
I’ve done a full circle. I was born on the northern beaches of Sydney, raised in the eastern suburbs of Auckland and currently live in Paddington, Sydney with my partner Tim, our two boys Bon (2yo) & Léon (6mo) and my 14-year-old stepson Ash. I love living in Sydney, there is so much on offer here. It’s a great place to call home.
Tell us about your career to date?
It’s been a fun and rewarding one, full of opportunities to experiment, explore and create. I was drawn to the bright lights of advertising, starting with Colenso BBDO and then Saatchi & Saatchi in Auckland before heading to London and travelling across Europe. When I moved back to New Zealand, I pursued a career in commercial production which led me to Sydney where I have spent the past decade working as a senior producer and finally as an Executive Producer at Collider. I’ve worked with so many talented artists, musicians and commercial film directors — it’s truly brought my passion for collaboration to life. A career highlight would be working with director Daniel Askill and tennis superstar Serena Williams in Miami and New York for an international breast cancer awareness project. And my latest collaboration is BON, my own company started alongside my business partner and long-time friend Jasmin Scott of Jasmin Sparrow.
How did BON come about?
I’ve always loved jewellery. Growing up I was fortunate enough to receive pieces from my mother and grandmother, and I too wanted the little ones in my life to experience the same sentimentality. I was surrounded by so many babies and children – my own, my friend’s and my niece and godchildren and found it difficult to find meaningful and timeless gifts they could keep forever. I loved the idea of gifting a charm every year; adding to a bracelet, and creating a tradition.
We were in lockdown after I had my first son Bon Vincent in 2021. I had some spare time so I revisited the idea and found there was still a gap in the market. Jasmin and I got talking and she spoke about how she often received enquiries for children’s christenings, flower girl gifts and just general sentimental gifts for children. We’ve always wanted to work together in some capacity. So with that, having children in quick succession and wanting to balance out the male energy in my home, I was inspired to start the business and put my creative nous to use. It was actually Jas’ idea to name our brand BON after my son. The BON egg charm is our signature piece, it’s inspired by the idea of new traditions and beginnings — pretty fitting for our new venture together.
It was actually Jas’ idea to name our brand BON after my son. The BON egg charm is our signature piece, it’s inspired by the idea of new traditions and beginnings — pretty fitting for our new venture together.
What’s your friendship like with Jasmin Scott?
In one word: fabulous. We met through mutual friends after my stint in London and since moving to Sydney I’ve had to travel back many times; as a bridesmaid and for various celebrations. Without fail, I make time for Jas — whether it be a quick mad dash or a wonderfully long catch-up. We make time for one another. Jas is my ‘do it’ friend, an encourager and natural creative whose genuine spirit always leaves me inspired on my flights home to Sydney.
Our friendship is the foundation for our business. We have shared passions, values and philosophies and would often find ourselves dreaming up ways to combine our strengths and work together. It was my engagement ring that solidified my desire to one day work with Jas. I had a big vision with references ranging from vintage Cartier to the Queen. I had countless jewellers from all over the world look at me sideways but after one conversation with Jas, she knew what I was after and loved the challenge. She translated my ridiculousness and made it happen. It’s one of the most rewarding collaborations I’ve had the joy to work on, especially with such a dear friend. It’s an incredibly unique piece that I of course wear every day and Jas is a part of that story. It echoes BON in the way my ring connects me to my husband but also to Jas. It’s a sentimental treasure that commemorates people and memories.
What did you seek to do differently with BON?
BON isn’t simply about jewellery, it’s about creating emotional connections through sentimental gifting. It’s a sign of love, a lifelong gift that can grow with the child and one day potentially be passed down. It’s a forever treasure and future heirloom that commemorates big moments and milestones for our little loves.
Unconcerned by trends, BON allows for a modern way to create and build traditions with a loved one. We also create charm necklaces and earrings that children and adults can wear. It’s like a little matching talisman for you and your little love.
Designed to last forever, extension links can be added to their bracelet over time and we offer a free soldering charm service. Our chains and charms are made in New Zealand in both 9ct solid gold and sterling silver, using recycled metals and ethically sourced gems.
BON is timeless and connective, imbued with love and honours memory. I think it’s what people are searching for when they’re shopping for gifts— a way to mark love through the many seasons of life.
What was your earliest memory of jewellery?
I was too young to remember but it’s captured on the home video camera. When I was still struggling to walk at 18 months old, my mother would dangle her gold jewellery across the room in an attempt to get me to walk. It worked a treat and I would sit for hours just clutching the jewellery.
I will always cherish the memory of my grandmother handing me a package, carefully tied with a bow and wrapped in tissue paper. As I peeled back the paper, I felt a thrill of anticipation and joy uncovering a beautiful necklace inside its velvet pouch. I went on to wear that necklace as a flower girl and on my first communion. I am still wearing it to this day – a special heirloom and moment that will stay with me forever.
What do you do when you hit a creative block? Where do you look for inspiration?
It’s part of the process, isn’t it? Surrendering to creative blocks would be the best move but I still need to learn to do that.
With a start-up, a fair few blocks came our way… something I tend to do is go back to the ‘why’ we started BON, and ‘why’ we wanted to create meaningful jewellery for children and sentimental gifts for people. It inspires me to get back on track and face my challenges.
Quick-Fire Questions:
A book that changed my life… Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. Didn’t change my life but thoroughly appreciated how different the themes were to what I usually read!
My favourite BON charms are… I love wearing all the birthstone charms of my partner, children, stepson and my godchildren on the Charm Bracelet. I also love wearing matching shell charm necklaces with my son.
The best restaurant near me… 10 William Street, hands down. My first date with my fiancé Tim was here, we go back regularly and have had the best times with friends there.
The three beauty products I can’t live without…
- Mecca Cosmetica Face Sunscreen, it’s lightweight and easy
- Habitual Beauty collagen Elixir, excellent for postpartum and it’s delicious, also encourages me to drink more water
- Sleep, if it was a product… I’d buy it.
Best current season fashion purchase… Jasmin Sparrow 9ct gold Marea Hoops everyone loves them! My dad just got my mum some. Too cute.
The item at the top of my wishlist…
- I would love any 1 of these photographs in large format from the ‘Fiordland’ range by my brother Jonathan / Kiwi New York Photographer
- 1930’s french tapestry artwork I spotted in Tasmin Johnsons showroom or;
- Nomasei sandals 70’s European holiday feel or could these be my wedding shoes? Forever justifying a potential purchase
The best life/career advice I’ve received… Don’t get bitter, get better!
Any advice for mothers? For the mothers that don’t live in a country where their family is … Build your village. If you haven’t already, start. Put yourself out there, and be open, you’ll need them as motherhood evolves. It’s fine to lean on people that you barely know, people love to help. If you’re fortunate enough to access paid help, do. It truly takes a village.
I would describe my personal style as… Paris down under.
If you could work in any other career or have another skill, what would it be and why? An antiques dealer, purely for the appreciation and satisfaction of finding amazing pieces and an excuse to shop with an unlimited budget and travel the world more.
