Sophie Bille Brahe’s eponymous label is modern minimalism at its finest.
Emirates Woman chats to the Copenhagen-based designer about her Scandinavian sensibilities and her latest SS23 “Magical Thinking” collection.
What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
I swim in the ocean every morning, even in winter. I go to the sea, take a dip in the cold water and warm myself up in the sauna. It’s my favourite time of the day. It’s the best way to clean myself of any negative thoughts and get ready for a fresh day.
What inspired you to launch your brand?
Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve always liked using my hands. I loved drawing, painting, building and creating. When the time came to seriously search for the right thing to do with my career, I just knew that I wanted to develop some kind of craft. I trained as a goldsmith in Denmark, then I went to the Royal College of Art in London. Something that started as a hobby naturally grew into something professional. I don’t think that one particular moment or one person made me launch my own brand. It was all a very natural process, it felt like the right thing to do.
You visited Dubai for the first time for the brand launch at Aubade. Can you tell us more about it?
I came to Dubai for the brand launch at Aubade, where I was able to properly meet customers – it’s important for me to understand what they are looking for, and I have learnt a lot by visiting Dubai. Then, I spent a few wonderful days with my family. I’m very grateful for that. I’ve always found it so interesting to discover new cultures. During my childhood and with my studies, I’ve travelled a lot, but I had never seen anything similar to Dubai. It’s a very unique place that offers a lot of opportunities.
How would you describe the Sophie Bille Brahe woman?
Before creating my own jewellery brand, I was designing pieces for my friends and myself. Even though I have a bigger audience today, I think I still reach out to the same kind of women. I would never create something that I wouldn’t want to wear myself. My customers are mostly independent women who know what they want –they are very set on their preferences. They like that my jewellery is elegant and classic yet a bit twisted.
You are known for minimal and contemporary fine jewellery pieces inspired by your family’s background in astronomy and your Scandinavian identity. How does this influence your work?
I come from a very old family, and I grew up listening to stories about our history. I think that through the tales and stories of my family, I have developed a natural fascination for the sky. Copenhagen has a colour palette that is unlike anywhere else in the world – it’s a special tone of blue and grey with a shade of pink. It gives me such a feeling of cleanness and simplicity. Whenever I create a new design, it’s not my intention to do it so that it will have a Scandinavian aesthetic, but I think it just has become a part of me.
How would you style your pieces?
I like to feel comfortable. It’s a very Copenhagen feeling to dress in a way that reflects the way you live. I work in crafts, and I have small kids and a dog, so I need to be able to get around. I usually wear a simple silk dress, a T-shirt, something that doesn’t feel fancy or formal. I love pairing a casual T-shirt with diamond earrings like my Boucle Ensemble or my pearl Peggy necklace. My jewellery should be worn and used every day.
How do you keep your work fresh and relevant season after season?
I think that the ever-changing environment helps me keep myself on my toes. But no matter how much the business or trends change; I always try to keep my values the same. It’s always the biggest challenge to keep developing my designs to produce shapes and styles that women want to wear. I always ask myself whether my friends or I would want to wear this new design and I stick to my intuition.
“But no matter how much the business or trends change, I always try to keep my values the same”
Where is your production based and how challenging was it to source the finest materials?
All the pieces are handmade with the highest quality possible. It has become our first priority to provide our customers with the highest quality products and as ethical as possible. We always purchase our diamonds through CanadaMark which works to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds. We have just introduced a traceable diamond collection which we are very proud of. It allows the customer to follow the complete process of the diamond from the mine to the final product. Since January 2023, we only purchase recycled gold. The pearls are hand-picked and of quality AAA-AA to always ensure the best for our customers and I have worked a long time with the same pearl farmers as we trust the caliber of their production.
Which piece would you personally consider a hero buy from your SS23 collection?
The Jardin de Coeurs earrings represent the spirit of the collection so well with their chandelier look. It’s a bit grand and royal but they remain so delicate. They feature diamonds with different cuts. I love them.
How do you seamlessly incorporate your pieces from desk to dinner?
My jewellery is made to be worn on every occasion, all day long. I think it’s what you pair it with that makes the occasion. Your jewellery should become a part of who you are, it tells your story, whether you’re at the office or partying with your friends.
How can one approach curating a fine jewellery collection – where and how do you start?
I think the most important thing is to have a clear idea of what you want and what makes your jewellery collection unique. Ever since my first collection, my designs tell my story, they’re all very personal. I think that’s what made it possible for me to build a recognizable brand.
This is The Elevate Issue – what small things elevate your everyday life?
The colour of the sky, a walk with my dog, or a drawing from my daughter. I try to remain sensitive to all the beautiful things surrounding me.
April’s – The Elevate Issue – Download Now
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