For Issue 14, British jeweller Ming Lampson opened up to Kim Parker about celebrating 25 years of her brand – check it out below
How did you get started in the jewellery industry?
All my life, I’ve made things. When I was a teenager, I was given some gemstone beads which I made into necklaces and sold in a market – they did brilliantly. The gemstones were quite special, like lapis lazuli and amber, so I took a six-week trip to India to buy more. When I arrived in Jaipur, my mind was blown. I ended up staying for two and a half years. I’d spend my mornings sorting gemstones and my afternoons pestering goldsmiths to teach me their craft. Finally, I went to London Guildhall University (now London Metropolitan University) and got a diamond diploma at the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
How would you describe your style?
I’m a visual thinker and everything is about my jewellery. In contrast, my clothes are quite simple – my friends would say ‘boring’ – but there’s always an interesting design detail somewhere. Always jeans by Silverlake, an Arket T-shirt, and shell-toe Adidas, because I’m running up and down in my Notting Hill workshop all day.
How do you like to unwind after a long day?
A bath with Epsom salts. There’s something so contemplative about being in the water: it slows everything down.
Who most inspires you, and why?
I admire jewellers like JAR, because his work screams ‘be brave!’ I also admire [Suzanne] Belperron, because there’s just no better. And Cartier from the 1920s, because they looked at the whole world for inspiration. Taffin’s work is so modern and elegant. Bhagat – because oh my goodness. And Elsa Peretti, of course.
What’s your ‘25’ collection all about?
To celebrate being in business for 25 years, I wanted to bring together everything that makes jewellery important to me. The stories behind our jewels. The stones within them, how they connect us to the earth and the international links between gem dealers. I wanted to talk about my past and where I’ve lived – Australia, Asia and London, and the colourful stones that represent that. The motifs of knots and ties just came from there.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Asia. The people, the cultures, the food. Everything about it.
What music is essential to you?
Reggae music. We play it all day, every day in the workshop. It’s impossible not to feel good when it’s on. It’s an amazing, international, soft, physical sound. I love Garnett Silk, Buju Banton, Peter Tosh and Dr. John.
Best gift you’ve ever received?
My daughters.
What’s the one jewel you never take off?
My mum had loads of bangles that I made for her – they used to tinkle whenever she moved. When she died, everyone in our family got one. I wear mine all the time and there’s something magical about it. Whenever I look down, I think of her. It also reminds me that, when I’m designing, I’m trying to give that kind of treasure to someone else’s family.
How does it feel to have achieved this important milestone in your career?
It feels good. It feels like I’m just getting started. It feels like an important turning point in our industry – it’s not all about brands now. It’s about individualism and making less and making better.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt so far?
If it goes wrong, it might get more interesting. Sometimes, when a design stops working, I’ve learnt not to panic – it’s just a problem that needs a solution. Those are the pieces that become the most fascinating, and you just need to pivot when things get difficult.
Like this? Check out the jeweller loved by Zendaya, Rihanna and Beyoncé: Suhani Parekh from MISHO Designs and see “Time really is precious”: Aaron Taylor-Johnson on fatherhood, feeling exposed as an actor, and being part of the OMEGA family.
