Beija Babe Backstage : Julie Macauley, jewellery designer and founder of John+Pearl.

Beija Babe Backstage: Julie Macauley

We went over to South East London this week to meet Julie, founder of the colourful and contemporary jewellery brand John+Pearl and a new Mum to be! Fresh and bright with tropical touches, Julie’s home is reflective of the jewellery she makes and the brand that she has developed.

John+Pearl launched in 2012 originally as an online business and wholesaler winning over major stockists such Asos, Harvey Nichols and Urban Outfitters as well as independent shops from all over the globe. With just weeks to go before Julie has her first baby, she is about to open her first permanent store having found great success in the pop-up shop scene over the last few years. Most would flip out over the idea of managing a business and a new born, but having run the business from top to bottom for the last five years and 13 years in the jewellery trade, Julie seems to be taking it all in her stride. Kudos to Julie! 

Check out their latest collection online or better yet pop in and visit the Duke Street shop in central London this summer.

HOME IS:

South London, West Norwood. I was born in Glasgow and moved to London after Art School. Still hanging on tightly to my accent.

 

AT THE MOMENT YOU ARE:

It’s Monday morning. I am sitting on my bed with my laptop home doing some prep for the week ahead before I head to a pilates class.

 

EARLIEST LONDON MEMORY:  

Jimi, my husband now, took me out with his mates in Brixton and Kingston for club nights. Lot of garage and a few raves too! I loved the London accents.

 

MOST ROMANTIC THING SOMEONE’S DONE FOR YOU:

I’m not big on romance but I like unexpected things that are accidentally charming. 

The most romantic thing Jimi has done is honestly his daily support with all things John + Pearl. You gotta love someone to tolerate the highs and lows of running a brand!

 

BEST LONDON MEAL:  

Donastia Social Club in Brixton for out of this world tapas in a really intimate setting.

 

BUILDING YOU’D MOST LIKE TO BE LOCKED INSIDE FOR THE NIGHT? 

One of the palm hot houses in Kew Gardens, like sleeping in the jungle...

 

FAVOURITE LONDON DISCOVERIES:  

The rose garden in Brockwell Park. Mondays coffee on Brixton Hill, Franks in Peckham and brunch at Over Easy on Duke Street - they will be our new neighbours when we open our first J+P flagship store in London this month!

 

WHAT DO YOU COLLECT?

I'm a natural born skip diver so any furniture with potential to refurb is mine, regardless of the effort to get it home. My green velvet daybed (in the picture here) was dragged off the street and into my first floor flat.

 

FAVOURITE LONDON SHOPS?  

The bookshop in the Tate Modern

 

THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE IF...

We stop chopping down rainforests.

 

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO ON A WORKING DAY? DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS?

I guess it's coffee, a good latte but it’s decaf for now until the wee one comes along.

 

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?

Cheese and design (not necessarily together!)

 

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST RISK YOU’VE TAKEN?

I am about to take it this year by having a baby and opening a shop in London in the same season. 

It is a risk but it will be amazing and it feels right.

 

WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG/POCKETS ON THE DAILY GO?

Bits of jewellery, loose change and lip salve.

  

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST THRILLING WORK INCIDENT?

The reaction to the first collection I launched under my grandparent’s names John + Pearl. The reception to it was phenomenal. When there is wind in the sails of your new brand, it feels incredible.

 

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