For this week’s Friday Muse, we sat down with Sydney-based, Christchurch-born jewellery designer and creative director Kirstin Ash. Since launching her eponymous brand in 2008, Ash has built a reputation for effortless elegance, creating pieces where timeless design meets a fluid sense of authenticity. In our conversation, she reflects on the unconventional journey that led to her success, from her early studies in naturopathy to her creative evolution. She also delves into the inspiration behind her latest release ‘Within Motion‘, her first collection to explore mixed metals, and the collection’s embrace of gender inclusive design.
In conversation with Kirstin Ash
Let’s get up to speed. Please tell us a bit about you and your career to date.
I’m a self taught, Jewellery Designer and Creative Director of Kirstin Ash, a business I started and grew alongside my brother Nick. My journey hasn’t been a linear one, but has always been led by instinct and passion. I’ve always had an innate desire to work with people and health and trained as a naturopath after doing two years of health sciences in Dunedin. I moved to Sydney and completed my 4 year naturopathy studies and very quickly immersed myself in the creativity of jewellery which organically evolved to the company it is today.
You launched Kirstin Ash in 2008. Looking back, what were some of the pivotal moments that shaped the brand’s evolution into what it is today?
It’s quite hard to pinpoint the pivotal moments, they do only really show themselves in time. When I look back, being stocked in The Corner Shop was a turning point. This was one of Australia’s top boutiques at the time so naturally led to other stores and flowed on to participating in our first trade show, where we made our first lot of really meaningful income.
Our first international shoot was another key moment, this really propelled our positioning and allowed us to step forward in a different way to craft and communicate an elevation of our creativity and art direction and this enabled our expression. This was a major pivot that saw us deviate from acting like a traditional jeweller and really move forward in a way that was brand led. The pieces from this collection like the True North Coin Necklace have almost become synonymous with the brand and are still favourites today.
Could you tell us a little about what inspired your latest collection, Within Motion?
In the ebb and flow of life, there exists a quiet centre—a place where movement and stillness intertwine. This idea sits at the heart of Within Motion, really inspired by the interplay of flux and stillness, being present and the flow of energy. Something simple, but grounding. Within the whirlwind lies a quiet centre.
This is your first collection featuring mixed metals. What led you to explore this styling approach now, and how do you see it shifting the way people wear jewellery?
It’s so interesting to reflect on, because actually some of our legacy collections from over 10 years ago actually featured mixed metal designs. We have always considered this approach in our styling of each collection but in recent years we’ve preferred to style them like this rather than producing them this way to give flexibility and freedom to the wearer.
How do you balance staying in tune with fashion’s current mood while designing pieces that endure beyond trend cycles?
The most important part of the design process for me is leading with integrity. Connecting in, having authenticity to our design language and creating with that in mind. We take an element of a trend, and interpret in a way that is reflected within our brand – I always like to pull back and think of what I would like to wear, what my friends might like to wear and beyond. For me there is beauty in the classic but I always aim to elevate the details, considering how a trend could be brought to life through a textural tweak, a nuanced shape, a nod to an element – I’m always exploring the relationship between trends and who we are as a brand.
The gender inclusive angle of Within Motion is really exciting. How do you approach designing jewellery that intentionally breaks away from traditional gender binaries?
Naturally with this collection we have leant into this bolder, hardware style that lends itself to this quite seamlessly. I think there is a lot to be said for moving through your masculine and feminine energy – I am often doing this with design – and the ebbs and flows between the two.
Do you have a go-to ritual or activity that helps you recharge and stay centred?
The key for me is carving our space for opening and getting a new perspective. Being intentional is at the core of this, setting myself up in an intentional way, using this mindset to clear the space and recharge the energy. Essentially honing in on the practises that open the flow state. This could look like bilateral movement – like walking with music – meditation is another really big one for me, and really even moving spaces when I’m trying to tap in can create an energetic shift for me.
How would you describe your personal style, and what influences it the most? Are there any New Zealand designers you gravitate to?
My own personal style is probably something I’d describe as classic and undone – I focus on a lovely fabric, great quality and attention to detail. I’m drawn to designers that reflect this, New Zealand designers like Marle I think embody this focus on the detail of how a product fits and feels. In jewellery my style is more hardware led, textural elements and organic forms. I gravitate to slightly more statement pieces that speak for themselves.
Who or what inspires you creatively?
My inspiration comes from the smaller details – always. Noticing the small details in my surroundings, noticing how light falls, nature moves and the way things feel. I’m a very visual and sensory person and feel and see everything around me – I’m less in my ‘thinking’ mind as I move through life. Being in different places inspires me, I’m curious and open, when I’m travelling it’s not about where I’m going but the act of moving that opens the creative channel. It’s all about newness and fresh perspective.
What’s your next focus for your brand?
We’re constantly evolving, exploring our product and how it weaves through our brand.. At the moment we’re dedicated to evolving our solid 9k gold offering, honouring the stories that come through and embedding sentiment – Resonate our 9k solid gold charms is an embodiment of this essence but there is always more to come in the exploration of story telling.
