Kinga Csilla celebrates creativity and connection through every collaboration, and our latest project with Kaarme Jewels is no exception. To mark the launch of KC X Kaarme Jewels, we sat down with Millie, the founder of Kaarme Jewels, to talk slow-made treasures, women-led craftsmanship, and what inspires her bold, beautifully personal jewellery. Join us for an open-hearted conversation about artistry, intention, and the power of meaningful adornment.
Can you share the story behind Kaarme Jewels and what inspired you to start creating jewellery from your share-house garage?
I’ve always been a lover of fashion and jewellery, but I could never quite find pieces that felt bold and colourful with an elegant flare, so I decided to create it myself. I started experimenting, teaching myself how to make jewellery and following that creative pull. What began as a little passion project soon became something so much bigger, a way to express individuality, confidence, and joy through colour and craftsmanship.
Kaarme Jewellery pieces are known for feeling bold yet meaningful... What do you hope wearers feel when they put on one of your creations?
I say this all the time but I want Kaarme to make people feel absolutely fabulous. For some, Kaarme is their dream jewellery; for others, it's a step in a bolder direction. I want them to feel like they are a part of a group of bad-ass women who have got each other's backs. I designed Kaarme to help people express themselves. To make people feel like they can add to a maximalist outfit or elevate a simple one. The number one feedback I get all the time is, "you can feel the magic of Kaarme when wearing a piece" and to me, that's EVERYTHING.
How has working alongside an all-women team shaped the spirit and ethos of Kaarme?
I purposely grew Kaarme as an all-women team and it has truly been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. When women come together with honesty and vulnerability ANYTHING is possible. My team - Kat, Nikita, Ruby and Tash have been imperative in the growth of Kaarme and myself as a founder and woman. They have seen me at my worst, held my hand through every challenge and given their whole hearts to Kaarme. We truly are a family and I feel like we could all achieve anything side by side. I am beyond proud of what we are creating.
What does artisanal craftsmanship mean to you, and how do you incorporate intention into every piece you design?
In a world driven by fast paced movement, over consumption and instant gratification, being able to handcraft a piece of jewellery for another woman or human is something special. Every name is read, every initial choice is thought about and every piece is given time, effort and intentional thought. When I'm designing, I'm always thinking how can I push the needle - how can we inspire people to step outside of their comfort zone with their jewellery choice. I like to incorporate both natural materials and colour while also considering all the queens.
Our collaboration is a meeting of two creative worlds... what drew you to Kinga Csilla for this necklace partnership?
I mean everything... I truly believe if Kinga Csilla were a jewellery brand, it would be Kaarme and vice versa. Everything our brands stand for are the same and we value colour and innovative designs. It's funny how the universe always has a greater plan. A week before we started discussing this collaboration, I had sourced some handmade beads from Africa and loved them, but I wasn't sure how we were going to incorporate them into a launch. Then this collab came along and they were BEYOND PERFECT!
Kaarme is rooted in values like transparency and giving back. How do you bring these ideals to life as your brand grows?
As a human, these are two of my main values in life and weaving them into the Kaarme ethos has been a MUST for me as a founder. Transparency has come to me naturally, as I have always found honesty and building a community based on trust builds the strongest foundation for your business. I speak to the Kaarme queens like we’re all in the same room. If I make a mistake, I own it and fix it. If something goes wrong, I talk about it. I share the good, the bad, and the messy, and I never shy away from hard conversations. Many of our customers have been with us since the beginning they’ve grown with us as a business, and with me as a young woman. Giving back is another pillar I’m deeply passionate about and one we’re continuing to grow. We always make sure our customers feel appreciated and we’re striving to extend that love to our wider community through fundraising like our recent donation to Brain Cancer Australia alongside Ellidy. This is a part of Kaarme we’re committed to expanding as we evolve.
Can you please give us a glimpse into your design process! From idea to finished jewel? Are there any rituals or sources of inspiration you always return to?
I feel my design process is incredibly different to others. I truly don't sit and think or have any rituals. Ideas pop into my mind, I source materials and when I follow the energy they tend to work amazingly. It’s the same with our manufactured pieces - the designs that come to me quickly and with ease are always the ones that turn out the most incredible. I draw inspiration from vintage jewellery, fashion icons and honestly, just the world around me.
How do you balance the creative freedom of running Kaarme with the challenges of growing an independent brand?
What a question... anyone who runs an independent brand knows the sheer determination and grit required for it to be successful. Kaarme requires a level of me that I never even knew I had in me. I am new to this area of business, but I find having perspective and the right people to ground you is EVERYTHING. Before Kaarme, I was an emergency nurse for 6 years and whenever things feel out of control I remind myself: no one is dying and everything is fixable. Second to this is having Kat as my bestfriend and General Manager to grow this beast of a business with - which has been everything. I feel like it's impossible for anyone to ever understand what it feels like, but having her experience it alongside me is the reason we have been able to grow as quickly as we have.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with aspiring women creatives or founders dreaming of building their own label?
Do it messy, do it scared, one step is all it takes. Stay in your lane, never copy and show up authentically always. We are so over exposed to the same things these days, so if you have an original heart led idea, launch it and run with it. Consistency ALWAYS equals success.
Finally, can you describe the KC X Kaarme Jewels necklace in three words and share what makes it special to you?
Unique, Raw and Bold - this necklace is the result of two brands coming together, created by two women with a shared vision to bring joy to others. Two teams leading brands with authenticity and grit. It is a reminder to everyone in this world that coming together will always be stronger than working alone! It has been an honour to release this alongside the Kinga Csilla family.
Rapid Fire Questions
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Silver or gold: Gold
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Favourite piece you’ve ever designed—and why: Our Poet Necklace. I launched with this piece and it's still one of our best sellers to this day. It will always have a special place in my heart.
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What song or playlist is your studio soundtrack right now: Fantasy - Mariah Carey. It truly gets you in the mood of happiness.
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If you could collaborate with any artist (alive or past), who would it be: Olivia Dean - EVERY SINGLE DAY! It will happen, watch this space!
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Dream destination to launch a new Kaarme collection: New York City - Kaarme was re-born in NYC last year and I feel like it would be an amazing full circle moment.
You can check out Kaarme’s incredible pieces here & follow her here.
Shop the Kinga Csilla x Kaarme collaboration necklace here.
