Telling A Story

Bat-Ami (pronounced but-ammy) is an emerging Bondi-based designer of highly original hand-made jewellery. Textures range from knitted woollen cuffs to intricate beaded flowers and silver leaves … there is an element of excitement and freedom, a sense of throwing out the rule book. The jewellery pieces just work so well because imagination is balanced against thoughtful composition to create a style that is uniquely Bat-Ami. She takes time out to chat with Antoinette Webster.

WORN BY AUSTRALIAN celebrities such as Delta Goodrem, Tammin Sursok and the Veronicas, Bat-Ami Designs made their debut at Australian Fashion Week in 2005. Featured in magazines such as Cleo, Cosmopolitan, Instyle, Marie Claire and Oyster (among others), Bat-Ami’s individual and expressive designs have become a favourite of stylists across the board due to their quirky, sexy shapes and textures.

Despite all the celebrity attention and fast moving success, it should come as no surprise to find Bat-Ami to be a grounded and easygoing person who is still very much passionate and excited about her work.

At the time of writing, Bat-Ami is flat out working on the first range for her clothing label. But that doesn’t mean the end of her jewellery line – rather it marks an exciting step forward for Bat-Ami Designs into the wide world of fashion. Watch this space – we will surely be seeing big things from her in the future.

HOW DID YOU START IN JEWELLERY?

The first piece of jewellery I designed was a mesh necklace that had silk flowers that I had cut from an old dress and some vintage glass beads in the shape of flowers found in my mother’s jewellery box.

I started my own label by accident. I didn’t really intend on starting one. I was looking to work for someone but found it to be very difficult as there are so many people out there looking for a career in fashion. So I made some necklaces to sell at the markets just to get me through.

I started to sell at Bondi markets. I only did it for about a month, and didn’t sell very much as my product is a bit expensive for markets, but it was great to get feedback from people and see how people reacted to it. I made some great contacts as well – lots of stylists come by to find new things.