Ten Years of Meaningful Design
Newcastle-based fine jewellery studio Kate & Kole is celebrating a decade of innovation, craftsmanship and quiet confidence. Known for reimagining what modern heirlooms can be, founders Sara Spence and Madalynne Clifton have built a design language rooted in emotion, precision and intention. Their milestone collection, DECÉA, captures this journey through ten sculptural pieces that honour transformation and the beauty of evolution.
In conversation with Together Journal, the duo reflect on the lessons of the past ten years, the art and intuition behind their work, and how they are reshaping the future of wedding and forever jewellery with originality and grace.
Ten years is a remarkable milestone. When you look back to your early days in Newcastle, what moments or turning points feel most defining in shaping Kate & Kole into the brand it is today?
Sara: When we took on our studio in Honeysuckle, I remember standing there with Maddy thinking, “Is there any way we can do this?” The space felt huge, but we so quickly filled it and made it feel like home. We were then lucky enough to secure the property next door to create a beautiful, big space that allows us to work alongside our jewellers in Honeysuckle, Newcastle.
Jewellery design often sits at the intersection of art and sentiment. What emotions or ideas did you want DECÉA to capture, and how does it reflect your evolution as both designers and as people?
Sara: This collection was really trying to put our brand into 10 pieces that we feel like reflect not only where we have come from, but the space we are moving into. Big moments of gold and diamonds felt so luxurious, and they were so beautiful to shoot and display. This collection came to us so naturally, which I feel like means that it has worked.
You have built a studio that blends cutting-edge technology with traditional craft. How do you strike the balance between precision and poetry, ensuring every piece still carries that handmade soul?
Sara: The nice thing about how we work is that we take out part of the making process and let our jeweller focus on the final 3 or 4 steps. They can take their time, work with care, and it also helps with what we are able to do in-house. So many pieces we make would often not be made in Australia, so we are very proud to be able to facilitate this here.
The world of wedding and forever jewellery is changing rapidly. What does modern commitment look like to you, and how are you helping redefine what those symbols can be?
Maddy: We’re lucky to witness so many couples go through the engagement ring design process together, which already feels like a modern shift from the traditional approach. It gives them the chance to create something that genuinely reflects who they are as a couple. In these appointments, we see their notion of what they thought they would like, or should have, evolve in a beautiful and natural way. Once they start trying pieces on, everything changes, and it’s so lovely to see they connect with the way a ring makes them feel, not just how it looks. Watching that moment when they’re drawn to the piece that feels most true to them is really special, and it’s a beautiful reflection of what modern commitment has become: personal, intentional and authentic.
Fashion and fine jewellery have never felt more connected. How does the rhythm of fashion, from runway trends to cultural shifts, influence the way you design and curate your collections?
Maddy: Fashion and fine jewellery have always been in conversation with each other, but what we’re seeing now is a more fluid, intuitive dialogue. I think the traditional idea where jewellery played a supporting role to fashion has since dissolved, and now they tend to co-exist. The notion that no outfit is complete without the right accessories comes to mind here.
The rhythm we follow isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about understanding the modern woman. I love the idea of people leaning into building curated wardrobes now, investing in fewer, better pieces that work harder. The same philosophy applies to fine jewellery. Our customers want pieces they’ll reach for repeatedly, that layer seamlessly, that transition from day to night and every stage of life.
We also love watching how people dress, what they’re drawn to, and what feels relevant in the cultural moment. When we see a return to bold, sculptural silhouettes on runways, we know our clients will want jewellery that holds its own with some statement pieces with presence and bold design.
Behind every timeless piece is a spark of inspiration. Where do you find yours, is it architecture, nature, light, music, or something less tangible?
Maddy: We find a lot of the time our inspiration comes to us when we are travelling together. Albeit it is usually for work, in our downtime on these trips, we usually see something that sparks an idea, or we have the time and space to talk through ideas that may have been rolling around in our heads and workshop together how we can bring the piece to life – usually all the way from the design to market roll out.
If Kate & Kole were a piece of jewellery, how would you describe it, in shape, texture or attitude?
Maddy: It would be a piece that feels striking and timeless, something that instantly evokes a sense of awe. You’d recognise it as Kate & Kole the moment you saw it, not because it’s bold or flashy, but because it carries an effortless, understated confidence that instantly captures and holds your attention. One of those pieces that you wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about until you made it your own.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the next chapter, for the brand, for the craft of jewellery, and for the people who will wear your creations?
Maddy: We have such a gorgeous local customer base in Newcastle, NSW, and it has been so lovely in the past year to have hosted 6 different residencies across the country as a way to connect with our customers in person. Looking forward, we are excited to see how our jewellery resonates globally. We have had some organic interest, which has been exciting to see, so we are going to start looking to nurture that growth and see where it takes us. This will mean continuing to evolve our designs to reach a wider audience, and it is always so interesting to see the different designs people gravitate towards based on where they are in the world.
For more information, visit kateandkole.com.au and @kateandcole.
